<p>No, per the Gatherer Ruling:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If one of the target creatures is an illegal target when Switcheroo resolves, the exchange won't happen. If both creatures are illegal targets, Switcheroo will be countered.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This is because in order to preform an exchange there must actually be something to exchange, you aren't allowed to exchange something for nothing.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>701.8a</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>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-01T19:53:12.593Z
2014-12-01T19:53:12.593Z
diego
<p>If my opponent casts <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Switcheroo">Switcheroo</a> targeting my 3/3 and his 1/1 and I immediately cast <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shock">Shock</a> to kill his 1/1 will he still gain control of my 3/3?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Exchanging control of creatures that have since left the battlefield
Algur
# Exchanging control of creatures that have since left the battlefield

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-12-01)

If my opponent casts [Switcheroo](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Switcheroo) targeting my 3/3 and his 1/1 and I immediately cast [Shock](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shock) to kill his 1/1 will he still gain control of my 3/3?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-12-01. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

No, per the Gatherer Ruling:

> If one of the target creatures is an illegal target when Switcheroo resolves, the exchange won't happen. If both creatures are illegal targets, Switcheroo will be countered.

This is because in order to preform an exchange there must actually be something to exchange, you aren't allowed to exchange something for nothing.

> **701.8a** 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.


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