<p>Can't beats can. So when something tells you to draw a card (say the beginning of your draw step), and Maralen telling you that you can't draw cards you do not get to draw a card. Since you are not drawing a card the Crypt's replacement effect doesn't have a chance to apply.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>101.2.</strong> When a rule or effect allows or directs something to happen, and another effect states that it can’t happen, the “can’t” effect takes precedence.</p>
<p><strong>614.7.</strong> If a replacement effect would replace an event, but that event never happens, the replacement effect simply doesn’t do anything.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T16:22:04.300Z
2016-06-30T16:41:30.317Z
2020-06-17T09:01:24.697Z
diego
<p>The ruling on Maralen seems to support your conclusion that nothing happens:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>4/1/2008: While Maralen is on the battlefield, replacement effects that instruct a player to do something instead of drawing a card won't work.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T16:23:19.410Z
2016-06-30T16:23:19.410Z
Kevin
<p>Folks, I would like to know if an effect like "players can't draw cards" prevents/cancel effects like "if you would draw a card, instead do X".</p>

<p>Because I wouldn't draw a card anyway, the effect does not takes place?</p>

<p>For a concrete example, think on <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=152546">Maralen of the Mornsong</a> with <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bForbidden%20Crypt%5d">Forbidden Crypt</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T16:08:50.083Z
I'm almost sure nothing happens (the effect does not takes place), I just want to confirm.
Kira
<magic-the-gathering>
"Would draw" with "Can't draw"
Kira
# "Would draw" with "Can't draw"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-30)

Folks, I would like to know if an effect like "players can't draw cards" prevents/cancel effects like "if you would draw a card, instead do X".

Because I wouldn't draw a card anyway, the effect does not takes place?

For a concrete example, think on [Maralen of the Mornsong](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=152546) with [Forbidden Crypt](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bForbidden%20Crypt%5d).

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I'm almost sure nothing happens (the effect does not takes place), I just want to confirm.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-06-30. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

The ruling on Maralen seems to support your conclusion that nothing happens:

> 4/1/2008: While Maralen is on the battlefield, replacement effects that instruct a player to do something instead of drawing a card won't work.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2016-06-30. Score: 8

Can't beats can. So when something tells you to draw a card (say the beginning of your draw step), and Maralen telling you that you can't draw cards you do not get to draw a card. Since you are not drawing a card the Crypt's replacement effect doesn't have a chance to apply.

> **101.2.** When a rule or effect allows or directs something to happen, and another effect states that it can’t happen, the “can’t” effect takes precedence.
>
> **614.7.** If a replacement effect would replace an event, but that event never happens, the replacement effect simply doesn’t do anything.


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