When Anivia moves to a battlefield, does her ability deal damage before combat, and can Hidden Blade prevent her damage by killing her in response?

Ruling: Anivia's attack trigger resolves before combat damage is assigned, so she will kill weaker units before might comparison. However, if Hidden Blade is played in response to her attack trigger, it kills Anivia before her trigger resolves, preventing the damage since she is no longer at the battlefield.

Sequence:

  • Anivia moves to a battlefield
  • Her attack trigger goes on the chain
  • Hidden Blade is played on the chain in response
  • Both players pass
  • Hidden Blade resolves, killing Anivia and their controller draws two cards
  • Anivia's attack trigger resolves, but deals no damage since Anivia is no longer at the battlefield

Nuances:

  • Anivia's ability specifically requires her to be 'Here' at the battlefield when it resolves
  • Hidden Blade kills directly (not during cleanup)