If Hidden Blade kills Crackshot Corsair in response to Crackshot's attack trigger, does the 1 damage still happen?

Ruling: No, the damage will not happen. When Crackshot Corsair dies before its trigger resolves, the trigger still resolves but cannot define "here" and does nothing.

Sequence:

  • Crackshot Corsair attacks and its trigger goes on the stack
  • Hidden Blade is played in response, killing Crackshot Corsair
  • Crackshot's trigger resolves but fails to do anything because Crackshot is no longer "here"

Nuances:

  • If the ability did not include the word "here" (e.g., "when I attack, deal 1 damage"), it would still resolve and deal damage even if the unit died
  • The word "here" is a limiting factor that requires the unit to still be in its original location for the effect to work
  • Other cards like Leona also use "here" and would have the same interaction
  • Cards like Falling Star that don't reference location work regardless of where the unit ends up