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If I have, let's say 2 Arbor elves, and my opponent decides to use Oblivion ring on one. As a response, I use Unsummon to protect the targetted elf... so does it go down like this...?

-> Oblivion Ring on stack
-> Unsummon on Stack
-> Unsummon resolves first, returning 1 Arbor elf to my hand
-> Oblivion Ring resolves, targetting the other elf.

I obviously wanted to counter oblivion ring using unsummon, but in this scenario, the plan fails. 
So my question is, When O-ring is casted, does the opponent have to target a permanent right away? Therefore in response, I can save the targetted permanent somehow. When do I cast the Unsummon?
 
Apologies for the newbie question. 

Oblivion Ring doesn't target
it will target when the Ring entered the battlefield

"I cast O-Ring on X" is an accepted shortcut, but if there is any response "X" is not locked in as target and when O-Ring resolves he is free to choose another legal target

if you want to save your permanent you need to do so in response to the O-Ring trigger, once that is on the stack that target can't be changed

O-Ring does not target, it's ability does. That ability goes on the stack after O-Ring has resolved, and it is at that time, that a target for the ability must be chosen. You can respond to the O-Ring spell, but you should wait and let it resolve and respond to its trigger. If you do, the ability will be counterd when it tries to resolve.

I see, does this apply the same way for instants like Lightning bolt or should I stack unsummon as the burn is casted?... Yeah, I was drafting the other night and when something like this happened, I was like wtf? I misplayed by saying, "in response to O-ring, I use Unsummon"... then the guy just targetted another permanent.

Thanks for clearing this up for me! 

no, Lightning Bolt targets on casting

you should have said "in response to O-Ring's ability"
in a casual game it's a bit of a dick move to abuse that play error, but in a tournament it's your fault

Sep 3, 2012 -- 12:38PM, Enigma256 wrote:

no, Lightning Bolt targets on casting

you should have said "in response to O-Ring's ability"
in a casual game it's a bit of a dick move to abuse that play error, but in a tournament it's your fault

Thanks! Yeah.. but honestly, he won 2-1 because of this move so I don't blame him. I guess he did ask me whether I was casting Unsummon in response to his O-ring to be fair lol. 
Thanks again