If a unit is killed in response to its ability triggering, does the ability still resolve?
Ruling: All triggered abilities still resolve as much as they can, even if the unit dies. However, if the ability requires valid targets or references the unit's location, those parts will fail if the target is no longer valid or the unit is no longer at the specified location.
Sequence:
- The ability triggers and goes on the stack
- If the unit is killed before resolution, the ability still resolves
- The game checks if targets are still valid and if location references can be satisfied
- Effects that don't depend on invalid targets or locations still apply
Nuances:
- Abilities that reference "here" or a specific battlefield location (like "a unit at my battlefield") will fail if the unit is no longer at that location
- Abilities with simple effects like "draw 1" that don't reference location or require targets will fully resolve
- Targeting must still be valid at resolution for that part of the ability to do anything