I play Mischievous Marai from hidden the only enemy unit has deflect, do I have to pay the deflect ? Or can I not deal the 2 damage ?

unverified
FAQ #12790·asked by Masakaa·October 4, 2026
Answer

Yes — you can decline to pay, and the 2 damage just doesn't happen.

Mischievous Marai's "when you play me to a battlefield, deal 2 to an enemy unit here" is a triggered ability, and Deflect's cost is a mandatory additional cost that attaches when the trigger is finalized. You still put the trigger on the chain as a pending item (no "may"), but at the Pay Costs step you're allowed to decline to pay the Deflect cost — the ability is then removed from the chain, never finalizes, and deals nothing. That's not the same as the ability being countered, and you can decline even if you do have the Power available. This option exists for triggered abilities only; spells and activated abilities that target a Deflect unit must pay it. , FAQ #111/#237.

References

Suggested answer — derived from the references below

Rules

Core Rules 2026-07-16 > Section 800: Keywords > Rule 809

Core Rules 2026-07-16 > Section 700: Additional Rules > Rule 767

Core Rules 2026-07-16 > Section 700: Additional Rules > Rule 764

Related Cards

Does this answer look correct?

0

Sign in as an arbiter with more than 50 reputation to verify answers. Learn more →

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

Log in to comment.

Open Proposals (0)

No pending proposals.

Log in to propose edits.