Mtg Sacrifice question

Question

I don't think this question was asked yet

If I have a creature lets call it creature A that has the ability "sacrifice a creature: x happens". Lets say I have 1 more creature, lets call it B. Both are untapped and I end my turn.

1. My opponent attacks, I block with creature B, before the damaged is resolved can I sacrifice B, get X, and still stop the damage from coming through?

2. One more question if creature B and opponent are both 1/1 when I declare block with B, sacrifice B, get X, I think I stopped the damage but does the opponent's creature die? (or did i sacrifice and stopped the damage from resolving)

sorry for crazy questions

Answer 1

1.  You can block and sac and still get X.  The damage goes on the stack and before the damage resolves, you sacrifice it while it's still alive.  The only time you can't do this is if it's a tap and sac ability and it has not gotten rid of the summoning sickness.  If it's a straight sac ability, then you can do it anytime.

2.  As long as you sacrifice the creature while the damage is on the stack, then you can kill the other creature and get X.  The damage to your creature will fizzle but the damage dealt by your creature will still go on the stack and proceed as normal.

If you have a 1/1 creature with a sac ability and your opponent attacks with a 2/2 trampler, you can sac your creature after it blocks to stop 1 damage and get X but the other 1 still tramples over to you.

Answer 2

I agree.

In short it's either you use creature B to block or to be sacrificed, you just have to choose one.

If you want to make it better make A block the attacker while you sacrifice B but just make sure you have another of that creature A in your hand.

Answer 3

I had this same argument many times until I finally heard from someone who regularly attends MTG tournaments.

Here's how your hypothetical situation would work.

1. Your opponent declares attackers

2. You declare blockers

3. Both of you have the opportunity to use instants (i.e. buffs, debuffs, removals, sacrifices, etc...)

4. Damage is assigned to the declared target.

Notice that damage is only assigned to the declared target. In other words if a blocker was assigned to an attacker, that attacker can't do damage to anything else unless some other effect allows it (and vica versa).

Bottom line - Yes, you can declare a blocker, sacrifice it before damage is dealt and take no player damage. However, since your blocker was removed from play before damage was assigned, it won't deal any damage to the attacker either.

Claro?