AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Hullbreaker Horror + Mana Crypt
Overview
Hullbreaker Horror’s triggered ability (the “Whenever you cast a spell…” ability) can target and return an opponent’s Mana Crypt as a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand when that triggered ability resolves, but it cannot target Mana Crypt’s 
: Add 
activation (a mana ability) or otherwise interrupt the act of producing mana that was already paid for before the spell was cast; players may activate mana abilities before paying costs per .
: Add activation (a mana ability) or otherwise interrupt the act of producing mana that was already paid for before the spell was cast; players may activate mana abilities before paying costs per .Step 1
Opponent may tap Mana Crypt for as a mana ability before paying costs for a spell, because mana abilities may be activated before paying a spell’s costs .
as a mana ability before paying costs for a spell, because mana abilities may be activated before paying a spell’s costs .Step 2
Opponent casts a spell; the spell becomes a spell on the stack as described in .
Step 3
Because you control Hullbreaker Horror on the battlefield, its triggered ability (“Whenever you cast a spell…”) triggers and is put on the stack (that trigger exists because Hullbreaker is a permanent with that ability) .
Step 4
When that triggered ability is put on the stack you make the ‘choose up to one’ choice and designate targets as appropriate; if you choose to target a spell on the stack you target the opponent’s spell, or if you choose the other option you may target the nonland permanent Mana Crypt .
Step 5
When Hullbreaker’s triggered ability resolves, it checks the legality of its targets per ; if the chosen target is still legal it will be returned to its owner’s hand, otherwise that targeted part does nothing or the ability is countered if all targets are illegal .
Step 6
After the chosen return effect is applied, the triggered ability is removed from the stack as its final resolution step per .
Resolution
If you control Hullbreaker Horror on the battlefield and you cast a spell, Hullbreaker’s triggered ability goes on the stack and you may choose its option to “Return target nonland permanent to its owner’s hand” and target an opponent’s Mana Crypt; when that triggered ability resolves it will return Mana Crypt to its owner’s hand (provided the target is still legal) per the targeting and resolution rules in and resolution rules in and . You cannot target or return the Mana Crypt’s activation because that is a mana ability that can be activated before paying costs under and is not a spell on the stack to be targeted by the “return target spell you don’t control” option.
activation because that is a mana ability that can be activated before paying costs under and is not a spell on the stack to be targeted by the “return target spell you don’t control” option.Feedback