Sylvan Library and Abundance Synergy Explanation

Bmorse643
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Post by Bmorse643 » 3 years ago

Good Evening. I'm posting hoping that someone can clarify exactly how the interaction between Sylvan Library and Abundance works exactly. I know the end result of the interaction is the ability to draw three cards without having to pay life to keep them in hand. Can anyone who understands the sequence of events occurring in the interaction between these two cards explain this sequence step by step? Thank you in advance.

Accepted Answer

by Argus » 3 years ago
121.5. If an effect moves cards from a player's library to that player's hand without using the word "draw," the player has not drawn those cards. This makes a difference for abilities that trigger on drawing cards and effects that replace card draws, as well as if the player's library is empty.
As your draw step begins, the Sylvan Library ability triggers, and then you are supposed to draw a card. But because of Abundance, instead you decide to "choose land or nonland and reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a card of the chosen kind. Put that card into your hand and put all other cards revealed this way on the bottom of your library in any order." Whether your choice is "land" or "nonland", you don't "draw" a card. Then the Sylvan Library ability goes on the stack.
Eventually, the Sylvan Library ability resolves. You take the option, and then apply the Abundance replacement to each. Your hand now has three cards that were in the library before this step. However, you have not "drawn" any cards. Now let's look at the rest of that resolving ability.
"If you do, choose two cards in your hand drawn this turn." There are no "cards in your hand drawn this turn", so you can't choose any.
"For each of those cards, ...." What cards? You couldn't choose any for that.
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Argus
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Post by Argus » 3 years ago

121.5. If an effect moves cards from a player's library to that player's hand without using the word "draw," the player has not drawn those cards. This makes a difference for abilities that trigger on drawing cards and effects that replace card draws, as well as if the player's library is empty.
As your draw step begins, the Sylvan Library ability triggers, and then you are supposed to draw a card. But because of Abundance, instead you decide to "choose land or nonland and reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a card of the chosen kind. Put that card into your hand and put all other cards revealed this way on the bottom of your library in any order." Whether your choice is "land" or "nonland", you don't "draw" a card. Then the Sylvan Library ability goes on the stack.
Eventually, the Sylvan Library ability resolves. You take the option, and then apply the Abundance replacement to each. Your hand now has three cards that were in the library before this step. However, you have not "drawn" any cards. Now let's look at the rest of that resolving ability.
"If you do, choose two cards in your hand drawn this turn." There are no "cards in your hand drawn this turn", so you can't choose any.
"For each of those cards, ...." What cards? You couldn't choose any for that.
Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?

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