When Viktor Innovator is played via Portal Rescue on opponent's turn, does he see himself being played and create a 1M Recruit?

Ruling: Viktor does not get a Recruit from Portal Rescue itself (since Viktor is played to pending while Portal Rescue is still resolving), but Viktor does see himself being played and creates a 1M Recruit from his own ability, similar to how red Darius works.

Sequence:

  • Portal Rescue resolves and plays Viktor to pending
  • Portal Rescue finishes resolving
  • Viktor finalizes and resolves
  • Viktor's ability becomes active and sees that a card (himself) was played
  • Viktor creates a 1M Recruit

Nuances:

  • Viktor's ability triggers from himself because it says "when you play a card" not "when you play a spell"
  • Units with "when you play me" effects can see themselves being played
  • You cannot resolve one card while another is resolving - cards go onto the chain as pending