If a player uses Imperial Decree, does Unyielding Spirit stop units from dying to the effect, or is kill not considered spell or ability damage?

Question

Accepted Answer

No, **Unyielding Spirit** does not stop units from dying to the effect of **Imperial Decree**.

### Reasoning
*   **Imperial Decree** creates a triggered ability that instructs the game to "kill" a unit when it takes damage.
*   **Unyielding Spirit** specifically prevents "spell and ability damage."
*   According to **RiftJudge FAQ #2547** and **#6839**, Unyielding Spirit does not prevent "Kill" or "Banish" effects. Because Imperial Decree's effect is a **Kill instruction** (Rule 415.1.a.1.a) rather than an instruction to "deal damage," it is not affected by the damage prevention provided by Unyielding Spirit.

In short, Unyielding Spirit only protects units from effects that deal damage directly; it does not protect them from effects that directly kill them.