Forum:Hypothetical stalemate

Suppose the game state has reached a point where neither player can force the game to end except by losing.

Suppose for example neither player had any cards in their graveyard or in their hands, both players had only recycle in play, and each player had 2 copies of rain of mercy as the only cards in their respective decks. all other cards had been removed from play. (the precise cards remaining could be different to explain how the game state arose, as long as neither player can kill the other or be forced to die from their own card effects and actions)

each player can prevent herself from decking out by playing rain of mercy and then returning it from their graveyard to their deck. the life points gained prevent either player from losing due to recycle's cost.

If both player's choose to do this the game can continue indefinitely.

How is this situation resolved?

a) game is declared a draw b) one of the players is forced to break the "loop" by losing c) the game is rewound to the point where the card(s) was removed which forced the loop, and the latest optional effect can't be performed d)the game is declared finished and the player with more life points is the winner e) some other resolution I haven't thought of

I'd like to see your thoughts on both the resolution of this scenario and on actual card play which could create it or one like it

66.65.249.197 (talk) 19:56, September 17, 2010 (UTC)