<p><strong>If Perplexing Chimera is not on the battlefield as its ability resolves, the ability does nothing.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Exchange" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Rule 701.10a</a> says</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>701.10a</strong> A spell or ability may instruct players to exchange something (for example, life totals or control of two permanents) as part of its resolution. When such a spell or ability resolves, if the entire exchange can’t be completed, no part of the exchange occurs.</p>
<ul>
<li><em><strong>Example:</strong> If a spell attempts to exchange control of two target creatures but one of those creatures is destroyed before the spell resolves, the spell does nothing to the other creature.</em></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-09T03:28:06.323Z
2024-04-09T03:28:06.323Z
murgatroid99
<p>Official rulings for cards can be found on <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">gatherer.wizards.com</a>.  Your question is answered in the rulings for the card, <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perplexing%20Chimera" rel="nofollow noreferrer">found here</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If Perplexing Chimera leaves the battlefield or the spell leaves the stack before the triggered ability resolves, you can't make the exchange.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>So if Chimera leaves, it's ability won't work and the first spell will go through.</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-04-10T01:02:31.120Z
2024-04-10T01:02:31.120Z
David Robie
<p>How works <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perplexing%20Chimera">Perplexing Chimera</a> when its ability is on the stack but, before it's resolved, Chimera leaves battlefield?</p>
<p>For example.</p>
<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perplexing%20Chimera">Perplexing Chimera</a> is already in control of my opponent. Then I cast something like <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drown%20in%20Shapelessness">Drown in Shapelessness</a> and target it. Then Chimera's ability would activate and put on the stack, exchanging control of this instant and Chimera. Before it is resolved, I could use another <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drown%20in%20Shapelessness">Drown in Shapelessness</a> on it. It would not be wise for my opponent to not activate the ability again to return another creature of mine to my library, then I would gain control of Chimera and my opponent would return another creature of mine to my library.</p>
<p>But I can't think of a properly example and I ask: if my opponent doesn't activate the ability on the second instant, then Chimera would return to my library (because I am its owner). What would happen then to the ability of Chimera that is next on the stack?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Perplexing Chimera leaves battlefield
Wolf1994
# Perplexing Chimera leaves battlefield

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-04-09)

How works [Perplexing Chimera](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perplexing%20Chimera) when its ability is on the stack but, before it's resolved, Chimera leaves battlefield?

For example.

[Perplexing Chimera](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perplexing%20Chimera) is already in control of my opponent. Then I cast something like [Drown in Shapelessness](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drown%20in%20Shapelessness) and target it. Then Chimera's ability would activate and put on the stack, exchanging control of this instant and Chimera. Before it is resolved, I could use another [Drown in Shapelessness](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drown%20in%20Shapelessness) on it. It would not be wise for my opponent to not activate the ability again to return another creature of mine to my library, then I would gain control of Chimera and my opponent would return another creature of mine to my library.

But I can't think of a properly example and I ask: if my opponent doesn't activate the ability on the second instant, then Chimera would return to my library (because I am its owner). What would happen then to the ability of Chimera that is next on the stack?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-04-09. Score: 4

**If Perplexing Chimera is not on the battlefield as its ability resolves, the ability does nothing.**

[Rule 701.10a](https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Exchange) says

> **701.10a** A spell or ability may instruct players to exchange something (for example, life totals or control of two permanents) as part of its resolution. When such a spell or ability resolves, if the entire exchange can’t be completed, no part of the exchange occurs.
>
> * ***Example:** If a spell attempts to exchange control of two target creatures but one of those creatures is destroyed before the spell resolves, the spell does nothing to the other creature.*


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-04-10. Score: 0

Official rulings for cards can be found on [gatherer.wizards.com](https://gatherer.wizards.com). Your question is answered in the rulings for the card, [found here](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Perplexing%20Chimera).

> If Perplexing Chimera leaves the battlefield or the spell leaves the stack before the triggered ability resolves, you can't make the exchange.

**So if Chimera leaves, it's ability won't work and the first spell will go through.**


---

