Does Undying Malice Work on Tokens? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: yes, Undying Malice can target tokens. However, the token will not return to the battlefield. While the ability triggers when the token “dies,” state-based actions cause the token to cease to exist before the delayed triggered ability granted by Undying Malice can resolve and bring it back.
Undying Malice grants a creature the ability: “When this creature dies, return it to the battlefield tapped under its owner’s control with a +1/+1 counter on it.” When a creature with this ability (whether a card or a token) dies, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. However, tokens are handled differently than cards.
Upon entering the graveyard, a token triggers any “dies” abilities. However, before any player can receive priority (the opportunity to cast spells or activate abilities), state-based actions are checked. One of these actions dictates that tokens in any zone other than the battlefield cease to exist.
Therefore, by the time the Undying Malice ability would attempt to resolve and return the token to the battlefield, the token is already gone. The game simply looks for the object to return, finds nothing, and the ability fizzles without doing anything. This nuanced interaction is important for understanding how triggered abilities and tokens work in Magic: The Gathering. Let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further clarify these mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tokens and “Dies” Triggers
Here are 15 common questions regarding tokens and triggered abilities, offering detailed explanations to enhance your understanding:
What happens when a token with Undying dies?
The Undying ability will trigger and go on the stack. However, the token will cease to exist as a state-based action before the ability resolves. Therefore, the token won’t return to the battlefield.
Can you sacrifice a token to pay a cost?
Yes. You can absolutely sacrifice a token. Sacrificing a token is a perfectly legal play. The token will go to the graveyard, trigger any relevant abilities (like Grave Pact), and then cease to exist.
Do tokens trigger “dies” triggers like Grave Pact?
Yes, tokens do trigger “dies” triggers such as Grave Pact. The token exists in the graveyard long enough to trigger the ability before disappearing due to state-based actions.
Does Luminous Broodmoth return tokens to the battlefield?
No, Luminous Broodmoth’s ability triggers when a non-flying creature token dies, but the token won’t be returned to the battlefield. It simply ceases to exist.
Will Profane Memento trigger when a token dies?
No, Profane Memento specifically triggers when a nontoken creature you control but an opponent owns dies. Tokens do not trigger this ability.
Can I use Chaos Warp on a token?
Yes, you can target a token with Chaos Warp. The token will be shuffled into your library, count as a card during the shuffle, and then cease to exist.
Can I meld tokens?
No, only two cards belonging to the same meld pair can be melded. Tokens, cards that aren’t meld cards, or meld cards that don’t form a meld pair can’t be melded.
Does Journey to Eternity work on tokens?
The triggered ability of Journey to Eternity will fizzle. The token will cease to exist before the delayed triggered ability can resolve and return the land to the battlefield.
Do tokens trigger Purphoros, God of the Forge?
Yes, Purphoros triggers for each creature that enters the battlefield under your control. If you create multiple tokens at once, Purphoros will trigger that many times.
Do tokens trigger Thornbite Staff?
Yes, tokens do trigger “death effects” like Thornbite Staff. When the token goes to the graveyard, it will trigger Thornbite Staff’s ability.
Will Bloodchief Ascension trigger when a token dies?
No, Bloodchief Ascension specifically triggers on nontoken creatures dying, as it requires a card to be put into the graveyard from the battlefield. Tokens are not cards.
Does Grave Betrayal work on tokens?
No, Grave Betrayal doesn’t work on tokens. The token would cease to exist from the graveyard due to state-based actions before Grave Betrayal’s delayed triggered ability could return it to the battlefield at the end of the turn.
Can Cleaver Skaab sacrifice tokens?
Yes, Cleaver Skaab can sacrifice tokens. Upon sacrificing a token, you’ll create two tokens that are copies of it. The original sacrificed token will go to the graveyard, trigger any relevant abilities, and then cease to exist.
Does Marionette Master trigger when artifact tokens are sacrificed?
Yes, artifact tokens do trigger Marionette Master. They go to the graveyard long enough for the ability to trigger before ceasing to exist.
Do tokens trigger Tormod, the Desecrator?
No, Tormod, the Desecrator specifically triggers when cards (not tokens) leave the graveyard. Tokens have no interaction with Tormod’s ability.
Mastering the Token Conundrum
Understanding how tokens interact with triggered abilities, especially “dies” triggers, is essential for becoming a proficient Magic: The Gathering player. While they may seem simple, tokens have unique rules that can significantly impact gameplay. Remember that tokens will always trigger “dies” abilities but will usually not return to the battlefield due to state-based actions removing them from the graveyard before such abilities resolve. This distinction can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
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