When a unit with 'when I move, draw 1 and discard 1' (like Traveling Merchant) moves to the battlefield, and you respond with Gust to remove it, does the draw/discard ability still resolve?

Question

Accepted Answer

Ruling: Yes, the draw and discard ability still resolves. Once the Merchant moves and triggers its ability, the discard-draw effect goes on the chain and will resolve regardless of whether the Merchant is removed from the board.

Sequence:
- Merchant moves to battlefield and triggers "discard 1, draw 1" ability
- Ability goes on the chain
- Opponent can respond with Gust to remove the Merchant
- Gust resolves, removing the Merchant
- The discard/draw ability still resolves because it already triggered

Nuances:
- The Merchant is not considered an attacker until its trigger resolves, because showdown (and therefore combat) cannot start while items are on the chain
- This means you can use Gust with Cleave to remove the Merchant when it triggers its move ability, before it becomes an attacker