The Ability Outlives Its Source
BeginnerThe Pyromancer dies in response — its damage still arrives.
Cards involved
You activate the Pyromancer
Your opponent is at 1 life. You tap your Prodigal Pyromancer ("
: It deals 1 damage to any target.") targeting your opponent. The activated ability goes on the stack.
Your opponent fights back
In response, your opponent casts Shock targeting the Pyromancer — hoping the ability disappears along with the creature.
Shock resolves
The Pyromancer takes 2 damage and dies. But still sitting on the stack: its ability.
What happens?
The moment of truth.
Does the ability still resolve?
Pick an answer to continue.
Abilities on the stack are independent objects (113.7). Killing the source doesn't "counter" them — that would take an effect that specifically counters abilities.
113.7The source of an ability is the object that generated it. The source of an activated ability on the stack is the object whose ability was activated. The source of a triggered ability (other than a delayed triggered ability) on the stack, or one that has triggered and is waiting to be put on the stack, is the object whose ability triggered. To determine the source of a delayed triggered ability, see rules 603.7d–f.
The ability hits
1 damage to your opponent: 0 life — you win. The Shock bought them nothing.
113.7The source of an ability is the object that generated it. The source of an activated ability on the stack is the object whose ability was activated. The source of a triggered ability (other than a delayed triggered ability) on the stack, or one that has triggered and is waiting to be put on the stack, is the object whose ability triggered. To determine the source of a delayed triggered ability, see rules 603.7d–f.
Stack
Opponent's life:
Prodigal Pyromancer
: 1 damage to any target
Shock
Target: the Pyromancer
Activated ability: Prodigal Pyromancer
Pyromancer ability — target: your opponent
The stack is empty.
Battlefield
—