AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Mox Opal + Tidespout Tyrant
Overview
When you cast Mox Opal while Tidespout Tyrant is on the battlefield, Tidespout’s triggered ability triggers as a result of you casting the Mox Opal spell and can be put on the stack before the Mox Opal spell resolves; because Mox Opal is not a permanent until it resolves, you can’t target it with that trigger, and if that trigger returns one of your other artifacts to your hand before the Mox Opal spell resolves, Mox Opal will enter with fewer than three other artifacts and its activation restriction (Metalcraft — activate only if you control three or more artifacts) will not be satisfied when you try to activate it .
Step 1
You cast Mox Opal as a spell. That is the event that causes Tidespout Tyrant’s triggered ability to trigger (“Whenever you cast a spell…”).
Step 2
Tidespout Tyrant’s triggered ability is created and placed on the stack after the Mox Opal spell is cast; unless responses are added, the triggered ability will resolve before the Mox Opal spell resolves.
Step 3
Because Mox Opal is still a spell on the stack and not yet a permanent, the Tidespout trigger may only target permanents that currently exist on the battlefield; it cannot target the Mox Opal spell .
Step 4
If the Tidespout trigger targets and returns one of your other artifacts to your hand before the Mox Opal spell resolves, then when the Mox Opal spell later resolves it will enter the battlefield but you will control fewer artifacts than you did when you cast it.
Step 5
Mox Opal’s activated mana ability can only be activated if you control three or more artifacts, so if the Tidespout trigger reduced your artifact count below three before Mox Opal resolved, you will not be able to activate Mox Opal’s 
ability after it enters .
ability after it enters .Step 6
If instead the Tidespout trigger targeted something else (for example an opponent’s permanent) or was countered/removed, and you still control three or more artifacts after Mox Opal resolves, you can activate Mox Opal’s ability as normal (subject to any other applicable rules and restrictions).
Resolution
Casting Mox Opal causes Tidespout Tyrant’s “Whenever you cast a spell” trigger to be created and placed on the stack before the Mox Opal spell resolves; the trigger can target and return permanents, but it cannot target the Mox Opal while it is still a spell (it’s not a permanent until it resolves) . If that trigger returns one of your other artifacts to your hand before Mox Opal resolves, then when the Mox Opal spell later resolves it will enter the battlefield but you may no longer control three or more artifacts, so you won’t be able to activate Mox Opal’s ability. Note also the specific ruling about multiple Mox Opals: “If you control Mox Opal and one other artifact, then have a second Mox Opal enter the battlefield as your third artifact, you can't activate either one's mana ability before putting one into your graveyard due to the ‘legend rule.’” (Ruling [2020-08-07]).
ability. Note also the specific ruling about multiple Mox Opals: “If you control Mox Opal and one other artifact, then have a second Mox Opal enter the battlefield as your third artifact, you can't activate either one's mana ability before putting one into your graveyard due to the ‘legend rule.’” (Ruling [2020-08-07]).Feedback