Incorrect rule interaction: Skullcrack + protection
Situation:
I cast play with fire on an opponent's white creature. In response, opponent casts brave the elements, giving protection from red to the creature. In response I cast skullcrack.
As per rules, play with fire should still resolve and deal the damage (as it gained the target before protection was active and damage can't be prevented thanks to skullcrack); however play with fire went to the graveyard without dealing any damage.
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DAC169#34537 commented
No, Rezzahan is right. The legality of a spell’s targets is checked only as that spell begins to resolve. Otherwise casting an instant or aura with flash to give something hexproof to stop a spell or ability wouldn't work. So when Play With Fire resolves, its target has protection from red making it an invalid target & PWF just goes to the graveyard.
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Dusk#25297 commented
@Rezzahan that's not how protection works. It does not provide hexproof or anything like that. It only prevents targetting, but PWF already gained the target on cast and can't lose it.
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Rezzahan#77802 commented
A target's legallity is also checked right before resolution. If the target is illegal, it won't be affected. If all targets are illegal, the spell gets countered. Protection still makes the target illegal, so Play with Fire gets countered.