When Ahri, Alluring and Nine-Tailed Fox abilities trigger simultaneously during combat, can you resolve Nine-Tailed Fox first to reduce Fiora's might below 5 to avoid paying deflect cost for Ahri, Alluring's targeting?

Ruling: No, you cannot avoid the deflect cost. When Ahri, Alluring's ability goes onto the chain, you must immediately declare the target and pay deflect cost (if applicable) as part of finalizing that ability. If you don't pay the deflect cost, the ability doesn't go on the chain at all.

Sequence:

• Ahri, Alluring and Nine-Tailed Fox abilities trigger at the same time when combat is initiated
• The controller chooses the order these abilities go onto the chain
• As Ahri, Alluring goes onto the chain, you must declare the target and pay deflect cost immediately to finalize it
• If you don't finalize the trigger on the chain, you miss the timing
• Nine-Tailed Fox cannot resolve before Ahri, Alluring is finalized because both must be placed on the chain first

Nuances:

• Nine-Tailed Fox is not a static ability (uses "when" not "while"), so it must go on the chain and cannot resolve instantly
• Ahri's legend ability (Nine-Tailed Fox) does not target or choose, it just gives all attacking units -1
• Deflect cost must be paid at the moment of targeting, not when the ability resolves