Spell Shield Type 8 and Enemy Controller

[kansashoops]

Here's an issue that came up today that we had trouble with. Player B has a face up Bazoo, a face down monster, and a face down spell/trap. Player A special summons Cyber Dragon, then plays Enemy Controller, selecting its second effect to tribute Cyber Dragon and take control of Bazoo. Player B chains Spell Shield Type 8 to negate the activation and effect of Enemy Controller. The question is, does Player A still have to pay the cost of tributing Cyber Dragon?

 

[slither]

Yes, cost's are always paid even if the Card's activation is negated.

 

[kansashoops]

I know that costs are always paid when it's a cost to activate the card, but this is a cost to activate an effect, and Spell Shield negated the activation and the effect of Enemy Controller. It's not as clear cut as Brain Control, for example, and we came up with good arguments on both sides.

 

[densetsu_x]

It's very clear cut.

You are activating the Spell Card Enemy Controller.

Enemy Controller has 2 effects you can choose from. One has an additional cost of tributing a monster. So if you choose to activate Enemy Controller with it's 2nd effect, you tribute the monster as part of the cost to activate the card. So when Spell Shield Type-8 comes along to negate it, the monster that was tributed is already long gone and not coming back.