Misdirection and Storm/Tendrils

[Dominik]

Just a quick question:

If my opponent plays Tendrils with 9 storm, and I Mis-D the Original, will all of the copies end up targeting him, or just one? Is there some way I can stack this to make all of the copies hit him? I think that I remember smennen (or another known vintage writer) mentioning in one of his articles that Mis-d is amazing against tendrils (didn't state the reason though), but I just want to make sure that it's because of this.

Thanks in advance for your help!

PS: I know this is probably a stupid question but I just want to know for sure.

[bdg4life]

When your opponent places tendrils on the stack he chooses who the storm copies target(most likely it will be you). However most times storm decks get extremely low on life, from necro or bargain. If your opponent is at 2 or less life then tendrils you, you can misdirect the original, the copies stay on the stack, to him. He would loose 2 life first before the copies resolve,and he would die.

[ELD]

102.3b If a player’s life total is 0 or less, he or she loses the game the next time a player would receive priority. (This is a state-based effect. See rule 420.)

Priority is passed only after each copy of tendrils of agony resolves.  A player who is at 2 who loses 2 life, then gains 2 life, will be at 2 when priority is passed. 

[parallax]

If you mis-D the original spell, only that spell will target him. Storm reads "You may choose new targets for the copies." So he can decide to make the new copies target you. I think, if you vial in a True Believer, and Mis-D the original while the storm trigger is on the stack, then all the copies will target them. Keep in mind that a mis-D'ed Tendrils of Agony will not do anything. It stops you from losing life, but your opponent will gain 2 life and lose 2 life. That's becuase Misdirection does not give you control of the spell. You can kill someone who's at two life with Twincast, however.

[Harlequin]

You can kill someone who's at two life with Twincast, however.

I don't see how thats possible.  On each resolution of the spell, there life total goes down and comes back up within one spell/copy resolution.  Gamestate is not checked in between looseing life and gaining life, so there is no point in time where gamestate is checked, and your opponent is at 0 life.  In order for you have an opponent's tendrils actually win you the game, you need to have sort of life gain replacement effect (sulfuric vortex, false cure, etc).

Also to really rules lawyer this one:

  If your opponent is at 2 or less life then tendrils you, you can misdirect the original, the copies stay on the stack, to him. He would loose 2 life first before the copies resolve

You would actually want to misdirrect the first COPY to resolve.  So let the storm trigger 'unpack' (resolve) and then state that you "are casting misdirrection targeting the first copy to resolve from the stack." If you target the actual original card, then it will resolve AFTER all the copies do.  Take this example:

Opponent is at 2 life, you control Sulfuric Vortex (whenever a player gains life, that player gains no life instead)

Stack top:
Storm Trigger
Tendrils of Agony (the card)

If you cast your misdirrect now, when the stack finally resolves your going to have:
MisD
Storm Trigger
ToA the card (targeting you)

after MD Resolves you have...

Storm Trigger
ToA the card (targeting your opponent)

then the storm trigger resolves...

Copy of ToA Targeting you
Copy of ToA Targeting you
Copy of ToA Targeting you
...
Copy of ToA Targeting you
Tendrils the card Targeting your opponent.

So you are going to get stormed (to death presumably) before your misdirrection target actually resolves.
NOW--
If you wait until the storm trigger resolves then target the first copy instead you have...

Copy of ToA Targeting Your Opponent
Copy of ToA Targeting you
Copy of ToA Targeting you
...
Copy of ToA Targeting you
Tendrils the card Targeting you

And when the Copy resolves, your opponent goes to 0 life, and the vortex replaces the life gain ... and you win!!

[parallax]

Twincast creates a copy of Tendrils that you control. Therefore, you gain the life, and they lose life. This can be relevant in Legacy Solidarity v. Iggy Pop matches.

[Harlequin]

Ah, your right. Good call.