Arcane Denial and Notion Thief

[TheWhiteDragon]

Arcane Denial
Instant
1U
Oracle Text: Counter target spell. Its controller may draw up to two cards at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
You draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.

Notion Thief
Creature Type: Human Rogue
Power/Toughness: 3/1
2UB
Oracle Text: Flash
If an opponent would draw a card except the first one he or she draws in each of his or her draw steps, instead that player skips that draw and you draw a card.

So, I assume that some sort of trigger happens during the next upkeep where players would draw their extra cards off Arcane Denial. 

Scenario: I counter a spell on my turn and then it becomes my opponent's upkeep.  He announces he will draw 2 (or does he just announce the draw trigger?).  I respond by casting Notion Thief.  Since it is a "may" trigger, can the opponent now decide he doesn't want to draw any cards, or is he forced to stick with his original decision before NT entered play?

[diophan]

Since it's supposed to happen on resolution and you did something to adjust the game state he is allowed to change his mind, just like if someone announces cabal therapy upon casting rather than resolution.

[MisterFoote]

Arcane Denial is a MAY.  So your opponent can just choose to not draw. 

[sirgog]

The opponent puts a "You may draw up to two cards" ability on the stack when Lotion Thief is not in play.

You then cast Lotion Thief.

The card draw ability resolves. Your opponent makes decisions that are called for upon resolution ("I elect to draw zero cards"). Lotion Thief's replacement effect would apply here but under most circumstances there will be no event to replace.


You cackle maniacally and say "It rubs the lotion on its skin, or it gets hosed again".