---"skyhaven_games" <skyhavenvictoria@s...> wrote:
> Here are all the questions:
>
> 1. If a creature has 0 energy after using a power, can it discard
> itself? Examples: Can a Core Grag (with 5e) use its power? It would
> have to discard itself, but it'd have 5 energy. Same with Deep
> Hyren (6e); can it choose itself to discard itself?

This is a two-part answer: If the creature's power says to discard
ITSELF, and the power cost brings it to zero, then yes, it can still
discard itself as part of the power (Core Grag, etc).

If the creature's power says to CHOOSE a creature (usually to discard
it, such as Deep Hyren, or add energy to it, such as Xyx Minor), and
the power cost brings it to zero, then no, the creature will be
discarded when it reaches zero energy, before you reach the stage
where you make choices for the power.

> 2. Cataclysm cannot be affected by opposing cards. This means:
> A. It cannot be stopped by a card such as Umm...No! but a creature
> can be protected by Barqua's Bubble or Emec's Forge.
> B. Greater Garganor does states it cannot be discarded by a spell
> which specifically kills creatures. This means that Cataclysm can
> kill it, Shockwave can't.
> C. Sandsifter cannot use its ability to sacrifice an Oracle so
> that it doesn't die, since all creatures are discarded
> simultaneously.

None of the cards mentioned affect Cataclysm, they merely prevent its
effect. They all interact with Cataclysm the same way they would
interact with Shockwave or Tidal Wave.

Cataclysm's wording specifically looks for opposing cards that modify
the wording, region, or cost of Cataclysm, things that would affect
the spell "as it is being played," such as Abwyn's Quill.

> 3. Sandsifter can use its ability to throw Oracles in the way when
> it is defeated in an attack; so that the opposing card (a creature)
> will not affect it (therefore it will lose no energy from the
> attack).
> How we ruled: True, but we think it's then very powerful.

Your ruling that Sandsifter could use his effect was correct, but
your conclusion on how it would work, was not. Combat will continue
normally until after energy has been removed. If this loss of energy
would discard Sandsifter from play, you can then use its Effect to
save it by discarding another Oracle from play. If you do, Sandsifter
will not be discarded from play by the combat (and thus will not
trigger any effects from the opposing creature that say things
like "if he defeats an opposing creature in combat"). However, it
will still be at zero energy and will be immediately discarded from
play by the game rules. As an aside, this process is true for most
effects that remove energy from the Sandsifter, and is particularly
relevant for the Crushing spells.

> 4. Cards that state an effect when "defeated in an attack" can be
> used offensively. Therefore, an Eebit returns to the hand after
> attacking (and can be played immediately again), and an Iximin does
> 6 energy of damage (3 plus its three additional) when attacking?
> How we ruled: True.

That is correct.

> 5. When a Magi is revealed, it must "Lock In" its starting cards.
> For instance, Quilla must declare the two Orothe relics she is
> going to use. Therefore, Harror, Night stalker will only
> preven those two cards from being played. Yrtha's Mantle could only
> search for the Oracle chosen for Risha, and so on.
> How we ruled: True.

False. Effects such as Harror Nightstalker, Redream and Ytrha's
Mantle do not interact with they keyword "any" under Starting Cards
(at least not until II prints a card named "Any..."). Risha is
immune to Nightstalker, but never did figure out how Ytrha got that
darned mantle to work. :)

> 6. The card Stealth allows energy to be removed before energy is
> normally removed. Does this mean the creature removes energy before
> energy is removed, and then energy AGAIN when its normally removed?
> How we ruled: False. We view this type of ability found on things
> like the Lascinth as "First Strike" from Magic: The Gathering.

Your ruling is correct. Stealth does not create a "double-hit."
Rather, it specifically changes the order of combat so that energy
removal is not simultaneous.

> 7. Can a Magi or Creature have a negative energize rate and
> therefore lose energy each turn?
> How we ruled: The minimum energize rate is 0.

Correct, you cannot force a card to "de-energize."

> 8. "Cannot" takes precendence over "Must", correct? Therefore,
> Jungertrug's "must" attack thing is negated by Tuck
> Berries' "Cannot" attack order.
> How we ruled: True. However, the Lascinth must still attack
> regardless of Tuck Berries, correct?

Correct. You can always read "Must" as "Must, if able." Most cards
already use that terminology for "must," as far as I recall, but a
few might have slipped by.

> 9. Does the card "Sunburn" stack?
> How we ruled: No.

Multiple Sunburn cards all take effect normally. This is no
different conceptually than Valken playing a Scroll of Fire.

-Rich Riley
Redeemer of Ogar
Magi Nation DUEL Rules Team
http://mndigest.shadowdragon.net