Re: General Rule Questions
Posted: 22 Nov 2016, 18:13
In "A" you're referencing Thoughtlacing the Kelsinko Ranger (not Karoo Meerkat) so that now Karoo Meerkat has protection from the Ranger. This is covered by 608.2b under resolving spells & abilities - abilities check if their targets are legal on resolution. Since part of Pro:Blue is "this permanent cannot be the target of blue spells or effects from blue sources," the ability is countered.
I think this is what you're getting at in "C" also; if the Ranger became an Air Elemental, Karoo Meerkat would have protection from the ability since on resolution, its source is a blue creature. (although in the specific case of Mirrorweave, the Meerkat would also be an Air Elemental, and would lose Pro:Blue, but I don't think that's what you're trying to get at)
"B" is tricky, but I think it is the same as changing the text of a spell. 602.2a reads in part:
"[An activated ability] is created on the stack as an object that’s not a card... It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics."
and 602.2b reads
" The remainder of the process for activating an ability is identical to the process for casting a spell listed in rules 601.2b–i. Those rules apply to activating an ability just as they apply to casting a spell"
The relevant part of 601.2 is:
601.2i "Once the steps described in 601.2a–h are completed, effects that modify the characteristics of the spell as it’s cast are applied, then the spell becomes cast"
Furthermore, the ruling for Sleight of Mind is:
"Changing the text of a spell... will (probably) cause it to be countered since the targets will be illegal."
So changing the text of the activated ability is probably the same as changing the text of a spell, and therefore will cause the target to be illegal and the ability to be countered.
Not 100% on that one, but those are all the rules I could find that apply. I suspect even most judges would have a hard time with that one.
EDIT: I've been thinking about that last one, and now I think I'm wrong above - I bet there's no way to change the text of an activated ability once it's on the stack since it's not a spell.
EDIT 2: Checked it out at the Magic Rules chat and they are saying "Changing the text of the Ranger won't do anything to the ability that's on the stack. The ability will still resolve targeting the Meerkat (although you won't be able to activate it in the future targeting the Meerkat)."
Comprehensive Rules
I think this is what you're getting at in "C" also; if the Ranger became an Air Elemental, Karoo Meerkat would have protection from the ability since on resolution, its source is a blue creature. (although in the specific case of Mirrorweave, the Meerkat would also be an Air Elemental, and would lose Pro:Blue, but I don't think that's what you're trying to get at)
"[An activated ability] is created on the stack as an object that’s not a card... It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics."
and 602.2b reads
" The remainder of the process for activating an ability is identical to the process for casting a spell listed in rules 601.2b–i. Those rules apply to activating an ability just as they apply to casting a spell"
The relevant part of 601.2 is:
601.2i "Once the steps described in 601.2a–h are completed, effects that modify the characteristics of the spell as it’s cast are applied, then the spell becomes cast"
Furthermore, the ruling for Sleight of Mind is:
"Changing the text of a spell... will (probably) cause it to be countered since the targets will be illegal."
So changing the text of the activated ability is probably the same as changing the text of a spell, and therefore will cause the target to be illegal and the ability to be countered.
Not 100% on that one, but those are all the rules I could find that apply. I suspect even most judges would have a hard time with that one.
EDIT: I've been thinking about that last one, and now I think I'm wrong above - I bet there's no way to change the text of an activated ability once it's on the stack since it's not a spell.
EDIT 2: Checked it out at the Magic Rules chat and they are saying "Changing the text of the Ranger won't do anything to the ability that's on the stack. The ability will still resolve targeting the Meerkat (although you won't be able to activate it in the future targeting the Meerkat)."
Comprehensive Rules