When a unit with a 'When you play me' effect dies in response to its triggered ability, does the effect still resolve?

Ruling: When you play a unit, it enters immediately and its triggered ability goes on the chain. If the unit dies in response, the triggered ability still resolves, but effects that reference the unit's location (like 'here') will fail to do anything because the unit is no longer present.

Sequence:

  • Play the unit (it finalizes immediately and enters)
  • The 'When you play me' triggered ability goes on the chain
  • Opponent can respond (e.g., by killing the unit)
  • Response resolves first
  • Original triggered ability resolves (but may whiff if it references the unit's location)

Nuances:

  • Effects like 'draw 1' will still resolve even if the unit dies
  • Effects that reference 'here' (the unit's location) will fail to do anything if the unit has died
  • Units and gear finalize immediately and do not cause a priority pass
  • Triggered abilities are identified by 'when' followed by a condition, 'at' followed by a time, or 'the [n]'th time you...'