Hidden Blade
Does the target's controller draw if the unit isn't killed?
Yes, as long as the target is still legal when Hidden Blade resolves.
The phrase "its controller" is a referent — information drawn from the target, recognised by the word "its".[359.3.f.1] Referents are checked at the moment the instruction executes, not when the spell was played.[359.3.f.2] Because the target is still legal when Hidden Blade resolves, the referent is accessible and the draw executes, regardless of whether the kill succeeded.[359.3.e.12.a]
Example
You play Hidden Blade targeting an opponent's unit. They respond with Zhonya's Hourglass, which replaces the unit's death. The unit is not killed. Because it was still a legal target when Hidden Blade resolved, the opponent draws 2.
Does the controller draw if the target becomes illegal?
No. An illegal target is entirely unaffected by the spell, and the draw is no exception.
An illegal target is unaffected by the spell as it resolves.[359.3.e.5] The phrase "its controller" is a referent — information drawn from the target — and because the target is now illegal, that referent returns null and the draw is ignored.[359.3.f.1][359.3.f.2][359.3.e.12]
Example
You play Hidden Blade targeting an opponent's unit at a battlefield. They respond by moving it to their base using Flash. Hidden Blade resolves. The unit is no longer at a battlefield, so it is an illegal target. The unit is not killed and the opponent does not draw.
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Written by Christian I. (Near).
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