Sangan, tributes and effects

[carlossilva]

I've just come across this ruling for Sangan:

If a "Sangan" or a "Witch of the Black Forest" equipped with "Malevolent Nuzzler" is Tributed and you activate the effect of "Malevolent Nuzzler", "Malevolent Nuzzler" goes on top of your Deck and then "Sangan" or "Witch of the Black Forest" is resolved. If "Sangan" is destroyed (not Tributed) the effects of "Sangan" and "Malevolent Nuzzler" are simultaneous and form a chain.

This has raised me a few questions:

a) while the wording isn't exactly as recent cards, Malevolent Nuzzler seems to be an optional effect ( you can either pay and return it to the deck or just let it go to the Graveyard ). Why doesn't it miss timing in case of a tribute ?

b) Let's assume, however, that Malevolent Nuzzler still gets its effect. Why the difference between one case and the other? None of the effects will interrupt the tribute summoning, so the soonest they could activate would be after the tribute hits the field. Wouldn't they be simultaneous in any case ?

Thanks

Carlos

 

[densetsu_x]

That's an old ruling. I would have to say that the updated policy about Manditory before Optional effects would take place and yes the Nuzzler is optional so it would be Chain Link 2 no matter what in this scenario.

 

[ygo doc]

I've just come across this ruling for Sangan:

If a "Sangan" or a "Witch of the Black Forest" equipped with "Malevolent Nuzzler" is Tributed and you activate the effect of "Malevolent Nuzzler", "Malevolent Nuzzler" goes on top of your Deck and then "Sangan" or "Witch of the Black Forest" is resolved. If "Sangan" is destroyed (not Tributed) the effects of "Sangan" and "Malevolent Nuzzler" are simultaneous and form a chain.

This has raised me a few questions:

a) while the wording isn't exactly as recent cards, Malevolent Nuzzler seems to be an optional effect ( you can either pay and return it to the deck or just let it go to the Graveyard ). Why doesn't it miss timing in case of a tribute ?

b) Let's assume, however, that Malevolent Nuzzler still gets its effect. Why the difference between one case and the other? None of the effects will interrupt the tribute summoning, so the soonest they could activate would be after the tribute hits the field. Wouldn't they be simultaneous in any case ?

Thanks

Carlos

It's an old ruling and erroneous at this time. You are correct, Malevolent Nuzzler has an optional effect, and can miss the timing if the last action to occur in the game state is a tribute summon.

Check the ruling on Woodland Sprite vs. Equip cards. You'll find some more erroneous items. It's true, the Equip cards mentioned sent to the Graveyard by Woodland Sprite's effect won't activate, but the reason for non-activation for Axe of Despair and Malevolent Nuzzler is due to missed timing, not the lack of being "destroyed". The last action to occur in the game state was not the sending of these cards to the Graveyard, but the 500 LP damage inflicted to opponents.

doc