If I have 2 Dazzling Auroras and the first one finds a Deadbloom Predator that I play to a contested battlefield, does the showdown have to resolve first or the second Aurora trigger?
The second Dazzling Aurora trigger must resolve before the showdown begins. Showdowns can only initiate when the game is in a neutral open state with no pending items on the chain.
According to RiftJudge FAQ #1207, #8080, and #461, the sequence is as follows:
- First Dazzling Aurora trigger resolves: You reveal and play the first Deadbloom Predator to an enemy-occupied battlefield. This stages a showdown, but the showdown cannot initiate yet because the chain is not empty.
- Second Dazzling Aurora trigger resolves: You reveal and play the second unit.
- If the second unit is another Deadbloom Predator, you can play it to the same battlefield as the first Deadbloom Predator, as it is still enemy-occupied.
- If the second unit is not a Deadbloom Predator, you must play it to your base or a battlefield you control (as you do not control the battlefield where the first Deadbloom Predator is currently staging combat).
- Chain empties: Any "When you play me" triggers from the units played by the Auroras must resolve.
- Showdown initiates: Only after the chain is completely empty and the game reaches a neutral open state does the showdown begin.
Key Nuances:
- Showdown Timing: Showdowns cannot start while any triggers are pending on the chain.
- Battlefield Control: You do not control a battlefield that has pending combat on it. However, because the first Deadbloom Predator is only staging a showdown and has not yet initiated it, the battlefield remains enemy-occupied, allowing a second Deadbloom Predator to be played there.
- Chain Resolution: All triggers on the chain must resolve during the cleanup phase before a showdown combat can start.