can an opponent discards with no hand? magic gathering rulings

can opponent discard if he has no cards in hand according to magic rules :confused:

if you target a player who has no cards with say a Mind Rot, the card would "fizzle" as some say. In other words the card would resolve, the person would have discarded no cards and Mind Rot would be in the graveyard

http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/ca...Mind%20Rot


resulting in a wasted Mind Rot.

Well, technically it wouldn't fizzle. To "fizzle" means to be countered due to a lack of legal targets. In this case, the Mind Rot isn't countered - it just doesn't do anything.

If you have to discard as part of the cost, and you have no cards to discard, then you cannot pay for the spell or ability.

Example of discarding as a cost: Viashino Skeleton

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arix

Well, technically it wouldn't fizzle. To "fizzle" means to be countered due to a lack of legal targets. In this case, the Mind Rot isn't countered - it just doesn't do anything.

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that's what I pretty much said. Your definition of fizzle is clearly different than ours. :D

My definition is the one in the rules (well, the one that used to be - it's not in there at all any more). It's also an important distinction to make (when it comes to cards like Multani's Presence).

Well if I ever play non standard, I'll keep that in mind.

An example i like to give is Tyrannize . If you have no cards in your hand you still have the option to pay 7 life or discard your hand. Well you've got nothing to lose so discard your hand.