Forum:Archfiend Commander vs Shadow Imprisoning Mirror

A friend and I came across this particular situation, and neither of us were completely sure how it would play out.

He has Shadow-Imprisoning Mirror active. I have an archfiend card in play. Archfiend Commander says "If you control an "Archfiend" card, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand), but it cannot attack this turn. You can only Special Summon "Archfiend Commander" this way once per turn. When Special Summoned this way: Target 1 "Archfiend" card you control; destroy that target."

My friend thought that because Shadow Mirror prevents the trigger effect "When summoned this way: target 1 archfiend card you control; destroy that target" then I couldn't even summon Commander in that way to begin with, because his effect can't finish off. Basically taking that conclusion from the situation with Macro Cosmos and Gravekeeper's Servant (cannot declare an attack because cards cannot be sent to grave). Thinking this a similar situation where one action cannot even be attempted because of another card eff.

I argue that his trigger effect is not part of a summoning condition to summon him in that way, it is just a trigger effect that applies when he is. So I would be able to summon him, but Shadow Mirror would prevent his trigger effect. I assume it is a trigger effect because the "when summoned this way:" is before the colon, and that is the trigger. Shadow Mirror only stops activated effects, not continuous, so Commander would still not be able to attack. Also noting that Shadow Mirror would not stop any summoning conditions/effects from hand anyways. (IE Light-Imprisoning Mirror would not stop BLS-EOTB or Lightpulsar Dragon for same reasons.)

I am fairly certain I am correct, however it would help greatly if someone could clear this up for us. Thanks. Jfritts19 (talk • contribs) 22:28, February 13, 2014 (UTC) jfritts19