Frenzied goblin's text is incorrectly implemented
Frenzied goblin's text reads: "Whenever this creature attacks, you may pay (R). IF YOU DO, target creature can't block this turn". So, the targeting should only happen if the (R) is paid, but instead in Arena you must always choose a creature whenever it attacks, and then decide to pay the (R).
If the target were before the payment then the text would have been "Whenever this creature attacks, target a creature. You may pay (R). if you do, THAT creature can't block this turn".
soymauro#90260
shared this idea
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Rezzahan#77802
commented
The rules of Magic make it nessessary, that targets are chosen when a spell/ability is put on the stack. Paying for optional effects and other choices happen on resolution. Optional effects ALWAYS go on the stack, and have to ALWAYS pick their targets then. It's to give all players the information of what is targeted, so that they can respond. You cannot select targets on resolution.
115.1d A triggered ability is targeted if it identifies something it will affect by using the phrase
“target [something],” where the “something” is a phrase that describes an object and/or player.
The target(s) are chosen as the ability is put on the stack; see rule 603.3d.603.5. Some triggered abilities’ effects are optional (they contain “may,” as in “At the beginning of
your upkeep, you may draw a card”). These abilities go on the stack when they trigger, regardless of
whether their controller intends to exercise the ability’s option or not. The choice is made when the
ability resolves. Likewise, triggered abilities that have an effect “unless” something is true or a
player chooses to do something will go on the stack normally; the “unless” part of the ability is
dealt with when the ability resolves