bloodchief ascension and spell timing

[TheWhiteDragon]

I have a Bloodchief Ascension in play with 3 counters on it.  I am at 3 life.  My opponent topdecks and casts lightning bolt.  Do I die, or do I end up at 2 life?  That is to say, does the spell go to the grave upon resolution and I gain 2 at the same time I lose 3, or do I lose 3 before the bolt hits the grave, thus killing me? I think the bolt will hit me for three and then ascensions trigger goes on the stack, but damage check kills me before the ascension trigger resolves...but I just want to be sure.


Bloodchief Ascension
B

Enchantment

At the beginning of each end step, if an opponent lost 2 or more life this turn, you may put a quest counter on Bloodchief Ascension. (Damage causes loss of life.)
Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, if Bloodchief Ascension has three or more quest counters on it, you may have that player lose 2 life. If you do, you gain 2 life.

Lightning Bolt
R

Instant

Deal 3 damage to target creature or player.

[Zeksagmak]

I believe you die with the target opponent loses 2/you gain 2 trigger on the stack

[TheWhiteDragon]

The only thing that doesn't make me so sure is that if you bolt a 2/3 tarmogoyf (with no instants in the yard) it becomes 3/4 before it dies and thus survives.  I am wondering if the same applies to players.  The only difference I could see is that Ascension is a trigger whereas tarm's P/T is a state-based check.

[Samoht]

The only thing that doesn't make me so sure is that if you bolt a 2/3 tarmogoyf (with no instants in the yard) it becomes 3/4 before it dies and thus survives.  I am wondering if the same applies to players.  The only difference I could see is that Ascension is a trigger whereas tarm's P/T is a state-based check.

The difference is as you note. After the spell finishes resolving, the Goyf would be a 3/4, and SBE's are checked after full resolution of a spell (which includes going through/to the appropriate zones).

[Zeksagmak]

Tarm P/T changing isn't a trigger whereas Bloodchief's lifedrain clause is.

[Cruel Ultimatum]

State based effects are checked when priority is passed. As such, they are checked when lightning bolt resolves, and you will be at 0 life and thus dead with a blood chief ascension trigger in the stack.

[Clariax]

FWIW, the game will actually end BEFORE the Bloodchief Ascension trigger goes on the stack.  After an object on the stack resolves, SBA are checked before triggered abilities go on the stack.  Doesn't really matter in this case, but can in others.  


(For example, an Eternal Witness entering the battlefield with a Night of Souls' Betrayal out.  Since SBA are checked first, the Witness is already in the GY at the time the triggered ability goes on the stack so is a legal target for its own trigger.)