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Feb 5, 2013 -- 9:08PM, rudolf wrote:

Feb 5, 2013 -- 9:04PM, Hreth wrote:

There is a combo involving Boros Reckoner making its way around the forums, and I want to make sure I understand it from a rules perspective in case I ever see it played.

The starting point is to have Boros Reckoner soulbonded with Nearheath Pilgrim and then made indestructible, for example by casting Boros Charm and using the second mode, which we assume has resolved. Then, if Boros Reckoner is dealt any damage, his first ability can deal that much damage to target creature, with lifelink. If the player targets Boros Reckoner , then life is gained but Boros Beckoner does not die due to being indestructible. This can be repeated ad inifinitum to gain an arbitrary amount of life, until the player chooses a new target.

Two questions:

1. Is this combination legitimate? [to me it appears ok.]

Yes.  And since it is a loop, the player will need to say how many times he intends to let it happen before he chooses a different target.  If no player objects, the game advances to that point.

2. If I have a response (and I can't think of many in Standard, but Unsummon or Cyclonic Rift are some options), can I play it in response to the first time the ability triggers? [I don't see why not.]

Yes.  Before the triggered ability resolves, you will get priority and can use it to cast your spell.  If the player has announced they want to let it loop X times, you can say no and that you want to respond to the ability.
 

This is correct, but not practical.  

Point 1 is yes, it is legal.

Point 2 is also correct....but if you were, say to have an opponent set up this combo and declare that he's doing it....say, 1 million times; If you say no, I want to play unsummon , you can certainly do so....but then your opponent gains priority to play something as well.  In a deck like that, I'd say the odds are good they have another burn card in hand.  They can shock the reckoner is responce to your unsummon, and declare a new endless loop from that, that you can't stop unless you have another bounce card.