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Can outwit only target a spell with targets already on the stack or can it counter something like triumph of cruelty which will have a target in the future?

It can only target spells that target players. While the card of Triumph of Cruelty is an enchantment spell on the stack, its ability is a triggered ability, not a spell. Only sorcery, instant and enchant player auras will target a player while they are spells on the stack.

Sorry if I'm not explaining that well. A spell is (generally) the physical card that you play, while an ability is (generally) something that triggers or activates from a permanent.

May 2, 2012 -- 6:27AM, alzabo wrote:

Can outwit only target a spell with targets already on the stack or can it counter something like triumph of cruelty which will have a target in the future?

A spell is a card (or a copy) on the stack. If it doesn't target a player while it is a spell, it can't be countered by Outwit.

It can only target things that are currently spells (ie, they are on the stack) and which currently target a player. Triumph of cruelty doesn't target anything. It has a triggered ability and that ability targets players, but outwit can't stop abilities.