Hidden Blade
If Hidden Blade's kill is replaced, does the target's controller draw?
Yes. Replacing Hidden Blade's kill does not prevent its linked draw instruction from executing.
The phrase "its controller" links the draw to the unit affected by the preceding kill instruction.[359.3.e.14] Replacing that kill action does not stop the later linked instruction unless it directly references the action itself.[359.3.e.14.b] Hidden Blade's draw references the targeted unit's controller, not whether the unit was killed, so the draw still executes.
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.
If Hidden Blade's target becomes illegal, does that target's controller draw?
No. An illegal target is entirely unaffected by the spell, and the draw is no exception.
An illegal target is unaffected by the spell, so Hidden Blade's kill instruction is ignored.[359.3.e.5] When an earlier linked instruction is ignored, its later linked instructions are also ignored, so the controller does not draw.[359.3.e.14.a]
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.
Related rulings
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Written by Christian I. (Near).
Last updated on .