<p>You should take the time to read up on how <a href="http://www.essentialmagic.com/articles/TheStack.asp" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the</a> <a href="https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/3265/damage-on-the-stack">Stack</a> <a href="https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/473/magic-the-gathering-stack">works.</a></p>

<p>Unless stated otherwise on the card, all activated abilities can be played at anytime, identical to an instant. This means you can activate Aquamoeba's ability during combat, and due to the way the Stack works Aquamoeba's ability will take effect <em>before</em> combat damage is dealt. Therefore using Aquamoeba's ability will result in both itself <em>and</em> Glory Seeker dying. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2011-09-11T12:48:14.553Z
2019-08-16T11:54:11.010Z
2019-08-16T11:54:11.010Z
Wipqozn
<p>Yup it can. Card abilities can be activated like instants - therefore can be activated at <em>any</em> time of play. Although both creature would die because it does not have first strike.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-11T12:27:24.297Z
2011-09-11T12:33:17.937Z
Deveaux
<p>It <em>used to be</em> the case that you could do this:</p>

<ul>
<li>Declare attackers and blockers</li>
<li>Activate the Aquamoeba's ability</li>
<li>Resolve the stack</li>
<li>Put 3 combat damage on the stack</li>
<li>Activate the Aquamoeba's ability again</li>
<li>Resolve stack</li>
</ul>

<p>This would cause the Aquamoeba to have 3 power when damage was assigned but have 3 toughness when damage was resolved, killing the 2/2 but leaving the Aquamoeba alive.</p>

<p>However, changes to the combat rules for <em>Magic 2010</em> were made that specifically prevented this. Now damage does not use the stack and is assigned and applied in one step, so the Aquamoeba can be either 1/3 at the time (and both survive) or 3/1 at the time (and both die).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-11T15:52:29.917Z
2011-09-11T15:52:29.917Z
SevenSidedDie
<p>Can <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=34465" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Aquamoeba</a> beat Glory Seeker if the Aquamoeba owner discards one or more cards during the fight?</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/0Syr8.jpg" alt="aquamoeba"> </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Discard a card from your hand: switch Aquamoeba's power and toughness until end of turn. 1/3 creature</p>
</blockquote>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qh9R9.jpg" alt="Glory seeker"></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>2/2 creature - human soldier</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-12T21:54:41.133Z
Depends on your definition of "beat."
adamjford
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-13T07:35:49.397Z
Well, i want possible scenarios. If you discard 0, 1 or 2 cards, what happens in each case (who dies and who survives and why) ?
Benjamin Crouzier
<magic-the-gathering>
Can Aquamoeba beat Glory Seeker with discards?
Benjamin Crouzier
# Can Aquamoeba beat Glory Seeker with discards?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-09-11)

Can [Aquamoeba](https://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=34465) beat Glory Seeker if the Aquamoeba owner discards one or more cards during the fight?

![aquamoeba](https://i.sstatic.net/0Syr8.jpg)

> Discard a card from your hand: switch Aquamoeba's power and toughness until end of turn. 1/3 creature

![Glory seeker](https://i.sstatic.net/qh9R9.jpg)

> 2/2 creature - human soldier

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Depends on your definition of "beat."  
> **username_0**: Well, i want possible scenarios. If you discard 0, 1 or 2 cards, what happens in each case (who dies and who survives and why) ?  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2011-09-11. Score: 22 | Accepted answer

It *used to be* the case that you could do this:

* Declare attackers and blockers
* Activate the Aquamoeba's ability
* Resolve the stack
* Put 3 combat damage on the stack
* Activate the Aquamoeba's ability again
* Resolve stack

This would cause the Aquamoeba to have 3 power when damage was assigned but have 3 toughness when damage was resolved, killing the 2/2 but leaving the Aquamoeba alive.

However, changes to the combat rules for *Magic 2010* were made that specifically prevented this. Now damage does not use the stack and is assigned and applied in one step, so the Aquamoeba can be either 1/3 at the time (and both survive) or 3/1 at the time (and both die).


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### Answer by username_2 on 2011-09-11. Score: 3

You should take the time to read up on how [the](http://www.essentialmagic.com/articles/TheStack.asp) [Stack](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/3265/damage-on-the-stack) [works.](https://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/473/magic-the-gathering-stack)

Unless stated otherwise on the card, all activated abilities can be played at anytime, identical to an instant. This means you can activate Aquamoeba's ability during combat, and due to the way the Stack works Aquamoeba's ability will take effect *before* combat damage is dealt. Therefore using Aquamoeba's ability will result in both itself *and* Glory Seeker dying.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2011-09-11. Score: 1

Yup it can. Card abilities can be activated like instants - therefore can be activated at *any* time of play. Although both creature would die because it does not have first strike.


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