Question about Thran Foundry & Academy Rector -Dave Roberts, June 27, 2000

The most confusing thing going on right now at my local tourney shop is a discrepancy between how and when Thran Foundry works in relation to Academy Rector. The problem is that, at regionals,it was ruled that when Academy Rector is put into the graveyard and it's ability (removing it from the game when it hits the graveyard) is placed on the stack that sacrificing the Foundry to reshuffle the Rector annuls it's ability. This seems really weird, and just not quite right.

Answer -courtesy of John Carter, Level 3 DCI Judge

Using a Thran Foundry in response to the triggered ability will negate the search effect. Strap in, and hang on:

First, the wording on our favorite Rector--

"When Academy Rector is put into a graveyard from play, you may remove Academy Rector from the game. If you do, search your library for an enchantment card and put that card into play. Then shuffle your library."

That "when... from play" means that the Rector's ability is a leaves play trigger (discarding her to a Recall won't help). The key is that the Rector also says _you may do X. If you do X, then do Y_ (simplified for ease of comprehension). Removing the Rector is not a cost so it is not removed until the triggered ability resolves. If for whatever reason, the Rector cannot be removed when the triggered ability resolves, then you cannot meet the "if you do" condition for getting an enchantment.