Geneva, Illinois – A circle of casual players at Smith’s Hobby Shop were kept waiting for 15 minutes for a decision from a Floral Spuzzem owned by Joseph Hammenheimer.

The Spuzzem was unblocked by Fred McGinnis’s Masticore due to the fear that Hammenheimer had Giant Growth, which would kill the precious Masticore, as McGinnis was tapped out. “I failed to read the ability on the Spuzzem, and thought since it was green, it couldn’t be much good. I now realize my mistake.”

Hammenheimer announced that he was destroying the Masticore using the Spuzzem’s ability. McGinnis picked up the card and read it, noting for the first time its ability, and informing Hammenheimer that it was not his choice. “That’s ridiculous,” Hammenheimer told reporters, “Wizards of the Coast obviously messed up. They meant I get to choose to destroy an artifact, not that piece of cardboard!”

However, no DCI judge was present, and the store owner, Jim Smith, who once knew a Level-1 Judge and who was also playing in the three-player game, confirmed that the Spuzzem would choose.

After waiting nearly 5 minutes for a response, McGinnis and Smith claimed that the Spuzzem had chosen not to use his ability by his lack of response. All hope was not lost, however, as Hammenheimer noted that the card had not passed priority. The players waited in silence for another ten minutes for any sign of respnse, to no avail.

Luckily, Smith provided an Ouija board from the store, and the Spuzzem was contacted. “I was really afraid”, said Hammenheimer “when I asked it if it wanted to destroy the Masticore, it said ‘G 3 5 R’ before gliding to Yes.

All three gamers advised the Spuzzem to play faster next time, or it would be accused of stalling.

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Geneva, Illinois – A circle of casual players at Smith’s Hobby Shop were kept waiting for 15 minutes for a decision from a Floral Spuzzem owned by Joseph Hammenheimer.

The Spuzzem was unblocked by Fred McGinnis’s Masticore due to the fear that Hammenheimer had Giant Growth, which would kill the precious Masticore, as McGinnis was tapped out. “I failed to read the ability on the Spuzzem, and thought since it was green, it couldn’t be much good. I now realize my mistake.”

Hammenheimer announced that he was destroying the Masticore using the Spuzzem’s ability. McGinnis picked up the card and read it, noting for the first time its ability, and informing Hammenheimer that it was not his choice. “That’s ridiculous,” Hammenheimer told reporters, “Wizards of the Coast obviously messed up. They meant I get to choose to destroy an artifact, not that piece of cardboard!”

However, no DCI judge was present, and the store owner, Jim Smith, who once knew a Level-1 Judge and who was also playing in the three-player game, confirmed that the Spuzzem would choose.

After waiting nearly 5 minutes for a response, McGinnis and Smith claimed that the Spuzzem had chosen not to use his ability by his lack of response. All hope was not lost, however, as Hammenheimer noted that the card had not passed priority. The players waited in silence for another ten minutes for any sign of respnse, to no avail.

Luckily, Smith provided an Ouija board from the store, and the Spuzzem was contacted. “I was really afraid”, said Hammenheimer “when I asked it if it wanted to destroy the Masticore, it said ‘G 3 5 R’ before gliding to Yes.

All three gamers advised the Spuzzem to play faster next time, or it would be accused of stalling.

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!