<p>No, you cannot do that.</p>

<p>You cannot target Elesh Norn with Teysa before Elesh is on the battlefield. However, as soon as Elesh is on the battlefield, its static -2/-2 ability is in effect, and your tokens will die as a state-based effect, before anyone gets priority and the opportunity to use regular spells or abilities. Note that Elesh's ability does not resolve, because it does not go on the stack. As long as Elesh is on the battlefield, the ability is permanently active.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-14T14:33:05.840Z
If you're simply looking to use the three white 1/1 tokens usefully, you CAN sacrifice them when your opponent announces that he is casting Elesh Norn and then passes priority to you. You cannot target the Elesh Norn since it has yet to hit the battlefield, but you *can* target another creature if your opponent has one.
Cronax
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-15T14:43:28.643Z
Reference: CR 604.1 and 604.2
ikegami
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-12T10:18:43.950Z
2015-04-12T10:18:43.950Z
Hackworth
<p>I have yet another timing question:</p>
<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elesh%20Norn%2C%20Grand%20Cenobite">Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite</a> enters the battlefield under my opponent's control. I have <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teysa%2C%20Orzhov%20Scion">Teysa, Orzhov Scion</a> on the field with three other white 1/1 creatures.</p>
<p>Normally, the three white ones would die due to Elesh Norn's ability (-2/-2).</p>
<p>BUT can I first sacrifice them with Teysa's first ability in order to remove Elesh Norn from the game?</p>
<p>I am not sure about the timing. Elesh enters the battlefield and his ability resolves. Can I react to that with creatures that would be affected by this ability (-2/-2)?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Can I respond to Elesh Norn's ability?
Klausi
# Can I respond to Elesh Norn's ability?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-12)

I have yet another timing question:

[Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Elesh%20Norn%2C%20Grand%20Cenobite) enters the battlefield under my opponent's control. I have [Teysa, Orzhov Scion](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teysa%2C%20Orzhov%20Scion) on the field with three other white 1/1 creatures.

Normally, the three white ones would die due to Elesh Norn's ability (-2/-2).

BUT can I first sacrifice them with Teysa's first ability in order to remove Elesh Norn from the game?

I am not sure about the timing. Elesh enters the battlefield and his ability resolves. Can I react to that with creatures that would be affected by this ability (-2/-2)?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-04-12. Score: 17

No, you cannot do that.

You cannot target Elesh Norn with Teysa before Elesh is on the battlefield. However, as soon as Elesh is on the battlefield, its static -2/-2 ability is in effect, and your tokens will die as a state-based effect, before anyone gets priority and the opportunity to use regular spells or abilities. Note that Elesh's ability does not resolve, because it does not go on the stack. As long as Elesh is on the battlefield, the ability is permanently active.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: If you're simply looking to use the three white 1/1 tokens usefully, you CAN sacrifice them when your opponent announces that he is casting Elesh Norn and then passes priority to you. You cannot target the Elesh Norn since it has yet to hit the battlefield, but you *can* target another creature if your opponent has one.  
> **username_3**: Reference: CR 604.1 and 604.2  

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