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The card text reads, "Return a creature you control to its owner's hand, then destroy all creatures." In game play, the "destroy all creatures" can occur without the first condition met. I'm curious as to why this is the case. The text does not give the player an option to return a creature, instead it creates a condition: return, THEN destroy. If a creature can't be returned to the hand, how can the second part of the condition be met? Unless I'm missing something. Any clarification would be a big help. Thanks in advance!

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over 5 years ago - /u/WotC_BenFinkel - Direct link

Originally posted by Akhevan

instead it creates a condition: return, THEN destroy

Does it?

How did you know that it was some kind of a condition?

In general, Magic is a game that works based on rules. You do get a free pass on this one because the rules are nowhere to be found in client. However,

101.3. Any part of an instruction that’s impossible to perform is ignored. (In many cases the card will specify consequences for this; if it doesn’t, there’s no effect.)

The parts of its effect that cannot be performed are simply ignored without any consequence to the spell's resolution.

To be fair, there are other card games out there where "then" does mean "if you do, then." I've always found that weird though. #wotc_staff