<p>Yes, you can destroy the creature before it gains Hexproof.</p>

<p>Shalai's ability is a <a href="https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Static_ability" rel="noreferrer">static ability</a> which does not take effect until after casting Shalai resolves (i.e. the spell leaves the stack and Shalai enters the battlefield).<sup><a href="https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Static_ability" rel="noreferrer">604.2</a></sup>  While Shalai is still on the stack, the static ability is not "active" and has no effect.</p>

<p>Before Shalai resolves, Player A is given <a href="https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Timing_and_priority" rel="noreferrer">priority</a> and can then use Walking Ballista's ability, which is also placed on the stack.  This ability will resolve before Shalai, killing the 1/1 creature before Shalai can give it Hexproof.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-08T18:22:56.347Z
2018-05-08T18:22:56.347Z
BJ Myers
<p>Yes. Because the hexproof source would not have resolved yet, and thus still be on the stack, a targeted ability can be added to the stack in response. The targeting ability would resolve first and then the hexproof source would.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-08T17:29:05.123Z
2018-05-08T17:29:05.123Z
Penninsula
<p>At the start of the turn (it is B’s turn):</p>

<p>Player A has a 2/2 <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWalking%20Ballista%5d">Walking Ballista</a> on the battlefield.<br>
Player B has a 1/1 creature on the battlefield.</p>

<p>Player B casts <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bShalai%2c%20Voice%20of%20plenty%5d">Shalai, Voice of plenty</a>, which gives hexproof to B’s creatures.<br>
Can player A, in response to B’s casting Shalai, then activate ballista’s remove a counter ability to deal lethal damage to B’s 1/1 creature?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Can a creature be destroyed just before Shalai gives it hexproof?
Tony
# Can a creature be destroyed just before Shalai gives it hexproof?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-08)

At the start of the turn (it is B’s turn):

Player A has a 2/2 [Walking Ballista](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWalking%20Ballista%5d) on the battlefield.  
Player B has a 1/1 creature on the battlefield.

Player B casts [Shalai, Voice of plenty](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bShalai%2c%20Voice%20of%20plenty%5d), which gives hexproof to B’s creatures.  
Can player A, in response to B’s casting Shalai, then activate ballista’s remove a counter ability to deal lethal damage to B’s 1/1 creature?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-05-08. Score: 5

Yes, you can destroy the creature before it gains Hexproof.

Shalai's ability is a [static ability](https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Static_ability) which does not take effect until after casting Shalai resolves (i.e. the spell leaves the stack and Shalai enters the battlefield).[604.2](https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Static_ability) While Shalai is still on the stack, the static ability is not "active" and has no effect.

Before Shalai resolves, Player A is given [priority](https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Timing_and_priority) and can then use Walking Ballista's ability, which is also placed on the stack. This ability will resolve before Shalai, killing the 1/1 creature before Shalai can give it Hexproof.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-05-08. Score: 4

Yes. Because the hexproof source would not have resolved yet, and thus still be on the stack, a targeted ability can be added to the stack in response. The targeting ability would resolve first and then the hexproof source would.


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