What happens if this is played for Platinum Angel? Technically it's not an infinite loop since either player can stop it so the game wouldn't end in a draw, but neither would have any incentive to.
Nathreet
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In multiplayer you play this, spend 1 life, and then no matter who wins the bid one of your opponent's loses a bunch of life. Even then it costs too much for the "damage".
infernox10
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Hmm...
Along the lines of the Platinum Angel comment,
What about Platinum Emperion?
I'm trying to read Oracle text to find the answer, but it doesn't say "lose life and THEN get the creature".
You have both happen, but the Emperion says you don't lose life.
Either way, pretty interesting card, but it feels like it will only be absolutely fun in multiplayer casual.
Asmodi0000
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A surprisingly fun card, and half the fun is recognizing the situations where it will be most effective. While there are plenty of spells that are more reliable, you can sometimes goad your opponent into really hurting themselves over a creature they really want to keep, or sometimes you can take control of a creature in exchange for only a slight dip in life.
Of course, this spell is the most fun to cast in multiplayer games, especially if you're good at handling politics. A bidding war is a great way to start a rivalry between two players.
divine_exodus
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(2 votes)
@infernox10:
I think you would choose the order in which they resolve, since they happen at the same time. You would then let the Emperion resolve, gaining him as a creature. Then the damage would be dealt to you, but since your life total can't change, nothing happens.
Moleland
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(7 votes)
Lot number 101 - A Platinum Angel
What can i have this lovely creature? A million life? Yes, a million life. Any advance on 1 million?...
hid@n
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What happens if you target Platinum Angel? If you pay all your life, do you lose, or do you get Platinum Angel before that can happen?
sonorhC
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Things happen in the order that it says them on the card. It says "the high bidder loses life equal to the high bid and gains control of the creature", so first you lose the life, then you gain the creature. So don't bid too much for that Platinum Emperion unless you already control it.
Platinum Angel still works, since losing due to lack of life is a state-based action, which means it isn't checked until something finishes resolving. By the time this has finished resolving, the bidder has control of the Angel, and so is protected from losing.
And if someone bid a million life for control of a platinum angel, I'd just let them have it. That'd mean that they were one removal spell (artifact or creature) away from losing. You'd have to be pretty desperate for that to be a good deal. Unless, I suppose, you have some way of gaining all that life back immediately (Children of Korlis, maybe, or Eternity Vessel).
Actually, the spell will resolve and do everything on it in the order that it's printed. You lose the life, then gain control of the creature. So you can still lose life bidding for a Platinum Emperion that you don't control. If you do control it, however, you can bid however much life you'd like.
Travelsonic
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card looks like it would be a LOT of fun in multiplayer. Think of the politics, the arguments, the insanity and chaos. I love it. :D
CorkBulb
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'm assuming that once the effect resolves, both the life loss and the gaining control of the creature happen at once. Since state-based actions are not checked between these two events, you would not lose if you bid more than your life total on a Platinum Angel. However, I doubt you will ever outbid your opponent, considering he would lose if you did. As for Platinum Emperion, again, the effects happen at once, so I don't think he will save you from the loss of life.
However, at the time the card was made, the game was much simpler and straightforward. None of these technical "loopholes" for all you Johnnies to take advantage of, like poor Brass Man and the infinite tap-untap combos.
fourismith
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Surprisingly good in some commander games. If your opponent is running a commander that is essential to their strategy (then they're kinda dumb, but also) this ends up being all upside. Either you burn for ~15 or you ruin their game. That said, it's usually more useful to either just steal the commander or tuck the commander
I see your Illicit Auction and would like to put Ink-Treader Nephilim on the block. Oh, and every other creature in play. ;)
Totema
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@BigPimpin: Derp, you can't cast Smelt while this spell is resolving. For that matter, you can't interrupt any spell with an instant while its effect is being carried out. You can only destroy Platinum Angel in response to this being cast on it, which will make the spell fizzle entirely.
CogMonocle
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@divine_exodus
nope. doesn't "resolve" at all. you lose the life first THEN it changes control (read the card)
Comments (21)
Along the lines of the Platinum Angel comment,
What about Platinum Emperion?
I'm trying to read Oracle text to find the answer, but it doesn't say "lose life and THEN get the creature".
You have both happen, but the Emperion says you don't lose life.
Either way, pretty interesting card, but it feels like it will only be absolutely fun in multiplayer casual.
Of course, this spell is the most fun to cast in multiplayer games, especially if you're good at handling politics. A bidding war is a great way to start a rivalry between two players.
I think you would choose the order in which they resolve, since they happen at the same time. You would then let the Emperion resolve, gaining him as a creature. Then the damage would be dealt to you, but since your life total can't change, nothing happens.
What can i have this lovely creature? A million life? Yes, a million life. Any advance on 1 million?...
Platinum Angel still works, since losing due to lack of life is a state-based action, which means it isn't checked until something finishes resolving. By the time this has finished resolving, the bidder has control of the Angel, and so is protected from losing.
And if someone bid a million life for control of a platinum angel, I'd just let them have it. That'd mean that they were one removal spell (artifact or creature) away from losing. You'd have to be pretty desperate for that to be a good deal. Unless, I suppose, you have some way of gaining all that life back immediately (Children of Korlis, maybe, or Eternity Vessel).
It looks like Dr. Seuss's "If I Ran The Circus"
Actually, the spell will resolve and do everything on it in the order that it's printed. You lose the life, then gain control of the creature. So you can still lose life bidding for a Platinum Emperion that you don't control. If you do control it, however, you can bid however much life you'd like.
However, at the time the card was made, the game was much simpler and straightforward. None of these technical "loopholes" for all you Johnnies to take advantage of, like poor Brass Man and the infinite tap-untap combos.
I sure Smelt that coming.
nope. doesn't "resolve" at all. you lose the life first THEN it changes control (read the card)
@Totema
You can smelt it after the spell resolves...