Mortimer's Guild 2- Magical Lumberjack Extraoridnare for hire

So, to start things off, here is a link to my first article, which talks a little bit about copyable characteristics and the "transform" mechanic (I also introduce myself there, so if you have no idea who I am it might be a good place to start):

http://lamagichub.blogspot.com/2011/10/mortimers-guild-1-intoductions-and.html

I got an interesting question in the comments thread of my last article, so I thought I would share it with everyone before we get started:

"I have a 0/13 Tree in Redemption in play and am at 3 life. I tap my Tree of Redemption to return my life total to 13 and make the tree a 0/3. In response, my opponent casts Twisted Image on the Tree. Did that mono blue player just Bolt me for the win AND draw himself a card? Or does the Tree die, but the ability remain on the stack from the time that the Tree was a 0/13? Or do I just throw my deck at him, scream loudly and then storm off?

Basically, when does Tree of Redemption check it's Toughness last, upon activation or resolution?

HELP ME, OH MORTIMER, PLEASE! " -Submitted by "Lightning Bolt"

First of all, let me start by thanking Mr. Bolt for his question. As I have stated previously, reader input is extremely important to me so never hesitate to email me or comment with any questions you may have. Now then, this question is an interesting one, let's break it down piece by piece to see what happens.

1)Tree of Redemption's ability is placed onto the stack.

2)Your opponent (who we will call Paul Bunyan, for his obviously lumberjack-like qualities and because he, presumably, loves pancakes because, seriously, who doesn't love pancakes?)casts Twisted Image targeting your ToR, because he thinks he is just the sneakiest guy around.

3)Mr. Bunyan's Twisted Image resolves and your Tree of Redemption is placed into the graveyard as a state-based Action (it has 0 toughness).

4) Tree of Redemption's ability resolves, and Magic: the Gathering begins to search frantically for a Tree of Redemption to swap your life total with. Before too long, it realizes that some dastardly fellow must have chopped the tree down, and it cries in anger into the night, cursing the name of Bunyan. But, in the end, there is nothing it can do and it is forced to resolve the ability without any effect.

5) So, basically, your life total will, indeed, remain at 3 and your opponent will get to draw his filthy cards. However, you are fortunately not dead, so you may still pull this victory off yet!

6) After the game, Paul Bunyan begins to fancy himself as quite the lumberjack thanks to his tree-chopping abilities, so he moves to the forest and spends the rest of his life throwing Magic cards at oak trees. Now I ask you, who is the real winner here?

So, that was quite the tangent, but I think you get the general idea. The ability resolves, sees the Tree no longer exists, and then doesn't do anything.

Good luck with your spells and Spiels everyone! Email me (mbrou61@gmail.com) with any questions, comments, or conundrums. Thanks for reading!

Mickey Broussard