Gregg,
The spell would still be cast, its caster would take 1 damage, and the opponent's creature would be okay but he would have to target himself with the ability as he becomes the only legal target. Since the card does not list the 1 damage to the opponent's creature as a requirement or additional casting cost of the card it can still be cast.
Essentially the way it works is unless the card says you can't cast it unless you fulfill certain conditions, the spell resolves. If it has effects upon being cast all effects take place so long as there is a valid, legal, available target. If there is no target then the effect simply does not take place as they are a result of the casting, not a requirement of the casting.
Posted By:
alphagprime
(4/14/2012 2:36:28 PM)
@ Alphagprime, I don't believe that's right.
Say you have a Mother of Runes that can tap. Let's sayI cast a Forge Devil and you allow it to resolve. When its ETB trigger goes on the stack, if you activate the Mother's ability targeting the Mother and give it protection from red, the ability fizzles, as the target is no longer a legal target. It doesn't change the target, it just counters the damage ability. If your opponent tapped Mother to give itself protection from red when you cast Forge Devil, then as it comes into play, Forge Devil is the only legal target. It must deal 1 damage to itself and the subsequent 1 damage to you.
I believe you still take one damage regardless, as there isn't a conditional clause to get you out of that. You could escape the one damage if it said, "When Forge Devil enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to target creature. If it does, Forge Devil deals one damage to you." This is awkward wording, but it does... (see all)
Posted By:
CapnShapiro
(6/26/2012 8:07:05 AM)
Red 1 drop that can kill tons of utility creatures? Why is this rated so low?
Posted By:
BongRipper420
(8/13/2012 7:02:16 PM)
This guy deserves some credit guys, he kills just about every other one drop in standard today. All for jut 1 measly mountain and a life. Id say it's a good price considering tragic slips are meant for big scary things, not arbor elves and blood artists.
Posted By:
LunchPossum227
(8/19/2012 6:54:41 PM)
Kills http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&format=|&tough=+=
But most importantly, with this guy in your deck you really want to be on the DRAW. T1 kill your Birds of Paradise, Delver of Secrets, Llanowar elves, Avacyn's pilgrim, champion of the parish, judge's familiar, and a large number of goblins.
So if it kills so many things that are winning in standard right now... why is it rated so low? Because he doesn't win the game on his own? Isn't not losing the game just as important?
Posted By:
Chibisukei
(9/5/2012 3:36:27 PM)
Red's Maggot Carrier.
Posted By:
HuntingDrake
(6/3/2013 4:29:24 PM)
freaking love this little guy
Posted By:
OstravaBoletaria
(11/10/2013 10:17:09 AM)
Since I love coming up with infinite combos that will likely never be used, here's one:
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice + Dissipation Field + Mana Echoes + Mycosynth Lattice + Forge Devil. Of course, in reality, who would use such a zany combo just to wipe out their opponent's creatures?
Posted By:
LilyOola
(1/28/2014 10:50:05 PM)