When you activate Preacher, during the part of putting the ability on the stack where targets are chosen, an opponent of your choice picks a target creature to give away. You, the controller of preacher, have to be able to target the creature at this time, or the creature is not an eligible target in the first place, so nothing with shroud, troll-shroud, or protection from preacher can be chosen.
Once a suitable, legal target is found, the ability goes on the stack. After this time, if the creature acquires any ability that would have made it a ineligible target at the time of the activation (see above), the ability is countered by state based effects for having no legal targets. In addition, the creature they have chosen can be sacrificed or destroyed before the ability resolves, and no new creature has to be given.
That is my understanding of the workings of this card.
Posted By:
izzet_guild_mage
(9/13/2010 4:40:02 PM)
Hey! the old time combo was Preacher with Diamond Valley. Why use Worthy Cause if the diamond is reusable! I think after that cratureless deck start to appear!
Posted By:
coloneltao
(1/7/2010 11:08:59 AM)
Or....you could equip it with No-Dachi and Loxodon Warhammer to give it +5/+0, lifelink, trample, and first strike. Think on that.
Posted By:
cplmontana
(12/15/2009 9:41:53 PM)
okay sooo... question: i grab a creature with my preacher. then, my opponent casts some crap that gives that creature protection from white. since that creature can no longer be the target of abilities, does he immediately return to my opponent?
Posted By:
gasimakos1
(10/18/2009 2:02:34 AM)
This creature is the real deal! I like how it also steals Ascetic troll and pals.
Posted By:
DrJones
(2/8/2010 6:09:53 AM)
this plus Life Chisel is the best combo I've found so far...
Posted By:
drmembrane
(12/17/2011 5:22:59 AM)
@yyukichigai
I don't know back in what day you're referring to, but if you read the actual card text, it states "Opponent chooses which target creature you control." Looks to me like it has always targeted the creature.
Posted By:
Atali
(1/23/2012 2:46:49 AM)
This works nicely with both my Brion Stoutarm and my Vish Kal EDH.
Posted By:
KokoshoForPresident
(3/29/2012 5:23:20 AM)
Praise the Preacher!
Posted By:
Reylance
(4/20/2012 12:50:06 PM)
"Don't disrespect me, MAH BOI, or I'll BE FORCED to go all "Wolololooo!" on yo ass!"
Posted By:
Tiggurix
(5/28/2012 7:44:20 PM)