Question about Phyrexian Negator -Ilari Lehtinen, June 27, 2000

Opponent has a Masticore (or some other always activating damage dealer) in play and I have a Phyrexian Negator.
When the Masticore assigns more than 1 damage to the Negator, can I sacrifice the Negator for the 1st point of damage so that I don't have to sacrifice any more permanents?

Answer -courtesy of John Carter, Level 3 DCI Judge

PHYREXIAN NEGATOR
2B, Creature - Horror, 5/5, Trample
Whenever Phyrexian Negator is dealt damage, sacrifice a permanent for each 1 damage dealt to it.

The Phyrexian Negator's "sac permanents" ability is a triggered ability, so the Negator does have to be in play when the damage would be dealt, or the ability can't trigger. Do remember that if a spell like Earthquake does 5 or more damage to the Negator, you'll have to sacrifice 5 permanents, and the Negator will already be in the graveyard from lethal damage.

(NOTE: So yes, you can sacrifice the Negator for the first point of damage that is actually dealt, and then it will no longer be in play to be dealt any more damage (if there are points of damage waiting on the stack to be dealt to it - those damage points will fail to find their target when they go to resolve))- DLA