<p>You can indeed choose which ability resolves first, but it won't help you.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Or is the Elenda that returns "different" from the Elenda whose ability was triggered?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes, this is exactly what is going on. The <a href="https://media.wizards.com/2019/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020190612.txt" rel="noreferrer">rules</a> state:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>400.7. An object that moves from one zone to another becomes a new object with no memory of, or relation to, its previous existence.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There follow nine exceptions to this rule but the situation caused by Kaya's Ghostform isn't one of them.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-07T06:19:27.863Z
Ah, alas. So if I understand right, the triggered ability is looking for a specific entity to put the counters on, and that entity has permanently ceased to exist?
Draconis
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-07T06:26:38.690Z
Yes, that's right. I have looked at rule 608 but I can't find a subrule that specifically applies to this situation (since Elenda's ability doesn't target).
Glorfindel
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-07T06:13:08.380Z
2019-07-07T06:13:08.380Z
Glorfindel
<p>Let's say I have <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bElenda%2c%20the%20Dusk%20Rose%5d">Elenda, the Dusk Rose</a> in play, enchanted with <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKaya%27s%5d%2b%5bGhostform%5d">Kaya&#39;s Ghostform</a>. My opponent has a zombie creature token.</p>

<p>I then cast <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKaya%27s%5d%2b%5bWrath%5d">Kaya&#39;s Wrath</a>, destroying Elenda and the zombie.</p>

<p>When the zombie dies, Elenda's ability goes on the stack, intending to giving her a +1/+1 counter. Since Elenda just died, normally this would do nothing (the ability can't find its target as it resolves).</p>

<p>But can I, as Elenda's controller, choose to resolve <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKaya%27s%5d%2b%5bGhostform%5d">Kaya&#39;s Ghostform</a> first, returning Elenda to the battlefield, then resolve her triggered ability, giving her the +1/+1 counter? Or is the Elenda that returns "different" from the Elenda whose ability was triggered?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
How does Kaya's Ghostform interact with Elenda, the Dusk Rose?
Draconis
# How does Kaya's Ghostform interact with Elenda, the Dusk Rose?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-07-07)

Let's say I have [Elenda, the Dusk Rose](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bElenda%2c%20the%20Dusk%20Rose%5d) in play, enchanted with [Kaya's Ghostform](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKaya%27s%5d%2b%5bGhostform%5d). My opponent has a zombie creature token.

I then cast [Kaya's Wrath](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKaya%27s%5d%2b%5bWrath%5d), destroying Elenda and the zombie.

When the zombie dies, Elenda's ability goes on the stack, intending to giving her a +1/+1 counter. Since Elenda just died, normally this would do nothing (the ability can't find its target as it resolves).

But can I, as Elenda's controller, choose to resolve [Kaya's Ghostform](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bKaya%27s%5d%2b%5bGhostform%5d) first, returning Elenda to the battlefield, then resolve her triggered ability, giving her the +1/+1 counter? Or is the Elenda that returns "different" from the Elenda whose ability was triggered?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-07-07. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

You can indeed choose which ability resolves first, but it won't help you.

> Or is the Elenda that returns "different" from the Elenda whose ability was triggered?

Yes, this is exactly what is going on. The [rules](https://media.wizards.com/2019/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020190612.txt) state:

> 400.7. An object that moves from one zone to another becomes a new object with no memory of, or relation to, its previous existence.

There follow nine exceptions to this rule but the situation caused by Kaya's Ghostform isn't one of them.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Ah, alas. So if I understand right, the triggered ability is looking for a specific entity to put the counters on, and that entity has permanently ceased to exist?  
> **username_1**: Yes, that's right. I have looked at rule 608 but I can't find a subrule that specifically applies to this situation (since Elenda's ability doesn't target).  

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