Dark Depths + Thespian's Stage - Magic Rulings Archives - Magic Rulings - Magic Fundamentals - MTG Salvation Forums (2024)

Quote from mario00001

You sacrifice the one that was already in play as part of the legendary rule. The second one becomes sacrificed because it has 0 ice counters on it. Marit Lage gets counters when it COMES into play; thespian stage copies it, but doesn't "come into play" while doing it.

But I thought you had the option of which one you wanted to sacrifice when you end up having two of the same legendary permanents in play.

Quote from Dio

But I thought you had the option of which one you wanted to sacrifice when you end up having two of the same legendary permanents in play.

When you resolve the Thespian Stage you have two legendary permanents on the battlefield so you'll have to choose one to keep (the stage) because the stage has 0 counters on it then its trigger happens and you sacrifice the stage as part of the resolution of that trigger.

Here's how it works:

Thespian's Stage is activated, targeting Dark Depths.
When that ability resolves, Thespian's Stage is now a copy of Dark Depths.
Because the controller of both of these permanents now controls two Legendary permanents with the same name, he or she immediately chooses one of them to put into his graveyard. This will be the original Dark Depths, leaving the Thespian's Stage version in play.
Because the Thespian's Stage version has no counters on it, Dark Depth's last ability triggers, causing it to be sacrificed and a 20/20 flying indestructible Marit Lage token to be put into play.
If you chose to instead put the Stage'd Depths into the graveyard because of the Legend Rule, then its trigger would go on the stack and do nothing on resolution, because it only puts the token into play if you sacrifice it.

Quote from YoungPyromancer

I'm wondering why Thespian's Stage doesn't have any ice counters on it when it copies Dark Depths. The rules don't say "When Dark Depths enters the battlefield". I know that you are all right, I just don't understand.

See Also

Dark Depths Rules Primer - MAGIC F2F

Because Thespian Stage is already on the battlefield. It does not enter into play when it becomes a copy, so any effect that triggers when it enters the battlefield don't apply.

This is the part of the card that's relevant: "Dark Depths enters the battlefield with ten ice counters on it." Vesuvawould work because it enters the battlefield, but Thespian Stage is already on the battlefield.

Quote from Avatar

Because Thespian Stage is already on the battlefield. It does not enter into play when it becomes a copy, so any effect that triggers when it enters the battlefield don't apply.

This is the part of the card that's relevant: "Dark Depths enters the battlefield with ten ice counters on it." Vesuvawould work because it enters the battlefield, but Thespian Stage is already on the battlefield.

Thanks. I totally believe that you are right, but somehow I'm not completely convinced.... The card says "Dark depths COMES INTO PLAY with ten ice counters on it." Does this mean the same thing as "Dark depths ENTERS THE BATTLEFIELD with ten ice counters on it."

It makes sense that Thespain stage is already on the battlefield, but dark depths uses the term "comes into play" and not "enters the battlefield".

Is "comes into play" the same thing as "enters the battlefield"? Can somebody show me in the comprules where it says they are the same thing?

Quote from YoungPyromancer

Is "comes into play" the same thing as "enters the battlefield"? Can somebody show me in the comprules where it says they are the same thing?

It the oracle rulings says so for dark depths.

Edit: Beat to the punch!

Quote from YoungPyromancer

It makes sense that Thespain stage is already on the battlefield, but dark depths uses the term "comes into play" and not "enters the battlefield".

Is "comes into play" the same thing as "enters the battlefield"? Can somebody show me in the comprules where it says they are the same thing?

All cards that previously said "comes into play" now say "enters the battlefield". They mean the same thing. Just like "When [this card] is put into the graveyard from the battlefield" became "When [this card] dies".