When Noxian Drummer's triggered ability resolves (creating a token when moved to a battlefield), can opponents react to the trigger before the token is created?
Ruling: Yes, opponents can react to Noxian Drummer's triggered ability before it resolves and creates the token. The triggered ability goes on the chain first, and only when it resolves does the token get placed on the chain (where it then resolves immediately as a permanent).
Sequence:
- Noxian Drummer moves to a battlefield
- The triggered ability "when I move to a battlefield, play a 1 might token here" is placed on the chain
- Players can react to this triggered ability (e.g., with Gust to remove Noxian Drummer)
- If the ability resolves, it then places the token on the chain
- The token resolves immediately as a permanent with no opportunity to react
Nuances:
- If Noxian Drummer is removed in response to the trigger (e.g., with Gust), no token will spawn because there is no "here" anymore
- The ability itself is not a permanent on the chain, it's a triggered ability that will play a permanent when it resolves
- All triggered abilities ("when A, do B") go on the chain and can be reacted to, regardless of what effect they produce