Tymaret, the Murder King

The hot question that worries the public is it possible to sacrifice the Tymaret using his second ability. The answer is hidden in the card's text. Let’s read it together.

The first things are first. A colon in the text, which separates the cost and effect indicates that both of Tymaret’s abilities are activated.

As you know common activated abilities may be activated any time you have priority, there are legal targets and you can pay the cost of the ability. Only the first ability of Tymaret has a target.

Tymaret himself is the source of damage, so if it receives lifelink or infect then the damage will have corresponding consequences: you will get 2 life in case of lifelink, or your opponent will get 2 poison counters in case of infect.

Since the ability is an independent object on the stack, after activation it is not interested in the Tymaret’s fate anymore. Even if it leaves the battlefield the ability will resolve successfully and the target player will be dealt two damage. If you are still in doubt take a look at Mogg Fanatic’s text.

The second ability of Tymaret brings it back from the graveyard to your hand. The text of its effect immediately tells us two things:

1. It means the same Tymaret, whose ability is activated, and not another one because the object is mentioned by name. The name is shortened, because Tymaret is legendary.
2. This ability works only when Tymaret is in the graveyard! If Yixlid Jailer is on the battlefield, Tymaret has no abilities in the graveyard and there is nothing to activate.

There is a special rule on this matter:

The “particular zone” is your graveyard. You move Tymaret into your hand from your graveyard. So we can make the obvious conclusion: no, Tymaret cannot be sacrificed to his own ability because only a permanent can be sacrificed and Tymaret is in the graveyard when the ability is activated.

Now let's look at the activation cost of these abilities. Is it now clear why the first ability requires to sacrifice “another creature” and the second — just “a creature”? The game use word “creature” only if it meas a permanent, i.e. card or token on the battlefield. That's the whole point. How it works?

Utilization of a chump blocker

Tymaret, Tymaret and the opponent

Different Tymarets on the battlefield are “another creature" for each other. Is it possible to have a moment to sacrifice one for the ability of the other?

Please, never. NEVER use the phrase “to have a moment” in relation to Magic. Magic is not a game of speed. The player can do something only if it is allowed or prescribed. So you really want to activate abilities. This may only be done if you have priority.

What happens when the second Tymaret comes under your control? For example, you cast it and the spell is resolved. Tymaret number two enters the battlefield. After performing SBA, one of which called “the legend rule”, only one Tymaret remains on the battlefield. Then all the triggers which triggered up to this moment are put on the stack. Then SBA are performed once again and only after that you receive priority and may do something but it’s too late: there is only one Tymaret on the battlefield under your control.

Tymaret, the Murder King vs Scavenging Ooze

Assume that your Tymaret is in the graveyard.

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Translated by George Marenkov