Non-Active players has in play a Melira, Sylvok Outcast and Kitchen Finks and Active Player casts Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite and in response NAP costs Giant Growth on Melira, Sylvok Outcast.

This would result in a mandatory loop that would result in a draw (unless I'm missing something).

Now let's say NAP has a Scavenging Ooze with a +1/+1 counter on it in play - is NAP required to use the exile ability to stop the loop (assuming they have mana open)?

102.4b If the game somehow enters a “loop,” repeating a sequence of events with no way to stop, the game is a draw. Loops that contain an optional action don’t result in a draw.

Seems to suggest that NAP is forced to use the ability to stop the loop - but that doesn't seem right since it's external to the loop.

Further - how/why would this be different if NAP had a Cremate in their hand to stop the loop (if indeed it is different)?

(Let's for arguments sake assume that for whatever reason it's in NAP's best interest to draw the game - no cards in library for example)

Edited Edward Bell (Oct. 16, 2014 04:24:07 AM)

No, they are not forced to. This is covered by this rule:

716.5. No player can be forced to perform an action that would end a loop other than actions called for by objects involved in the loop.
Example: A player controls Seal of Cleansing, an enchantment that reads, “Sacrifice Seal of Cleansing: Destroy target artifact or enchantment.” A mandatory loop that involves an artifact begins. The player is not forced to sacrifice Seal of Cleansing to destroy the artifact and end the loop.

While the player can activate the Ooze's ability or cast Cremate if they want to, they are not forced to do so to end the loop. If they want to have the game end in a draw, that's fine.

Nathan Long
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