<p>No - the Tree's ability will fail to do anything when it resolves. After the -13/-13 effect resolves, the Tree will die as a state-based action. Thus by the time the Tree's ability resolves, it won't be in play so the exchange can't happen.</p>

<p>The general rule:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>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.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>And confirming this, <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=247421" rel="nofollow">a specific ruling for a very similar card</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If Tree of Redemption isn’t on the battlefield when the ability resolves, the exchange can’t happen and the ability will have no effect.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-14T06:37:34.480Z
In fact, if you look at the [Eldritch Moon release notes](http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/eldritch-moon-release-notes-2016-07-08), you can see that Tree of Perdition itself has that specific ruling.
murgatroid99
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-14T05:46:40.550Z
2016-07-14T05:52:00.817Z
2016-07-14T05:52:00.817Z
Benjamin Cosman
<p>If you activate <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTree%20of%20Perdition%5d">Tree of Perdition</a>'s ability, "Exchange target opponent's life total with Tree of Perdition's toughness", then play a spell before the ability resolves that brings the tree's toughness to 0, does the opponent's life total become 0?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
If you trigger Tree of Perdition's ability, then give the tree -13/-13, does the player go to 0 life?
scord
# If you trigger Tree of Perdition's ability, then give the tree -13/-13, does the player go to 0 life?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-07-14)

If you activate [Tree of Perdition](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTree%20of%20Perdition%5d)'s ability, "Exchange target opponent's life total with Tree of Perdition's toughness", then play a spell before the ability resolves that brings the tree's toughness to 0, does the opponent's life total become 0?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-07-14. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

No - the Tree's ability will fail to do anything when it resolves. After the -13/-13 effect resolves, the Tree will die as a state-based action. Thus by the time the Tree's ability resolves, it won't be in play so the exchange can't happen.

The general rule:

> 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.

And confirming this, [a specific ruling for a very similar card](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=247421):

> If Tree of Redemption isn’t on the battlefield when the ability resolves, the exchange can’t happen and the ability will have no effect.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: In fact, if you look at the [Eldritch Moon release notes](http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/eldritch-moon-release-notes-2016-07-08), you can see that Tree of Perdition itself has that specific ruling.  

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