Does killing Prodigal Pyromancer stop its ability?

The scenario

You activate Prodigal Pyromancer, tapping it to deal 1 damage to an opponent. That opponent responds with Murder on the Pyromancer. If Murder resolves first, does the damage still happen?

Short answer

Yes, if the ability's target remains legal. Removing the Pyromancer does not remove its activated ability from the stack. The ability resolves and the Pyromancer deals 1 damage using last known information as needed.

Step by step

1. You activate the ability and pay its tap cost. The ability is on the stack before the opponent can respond.
2. Murder resolves and destroys the Pyromancer. Its ability is an independent object on the stack, so it remains there.
3. When the ability resolves, it checks its target. Assuming that target is still legal, the damage is dealt even though its source has left the battlefield.

What changes the answer?

Counter the ability itself

An effect that can counter an activated ability can stop it. A spell that only counters a spell cannot counter this ability.

An explicit source requirement

Some abilities specifically require their source to be in a particular zone or satisfy a condition on resolution. Read the actual ability. The Pyromancer ability in this case has no such requirement.

Rules and verification

Checked against the Comprehensive Rules effective 2026-09-25. Read the dated official source. Rule-browser links may use an older site snapshot; the dated official document is this scenario's verification source.

• CR 113.7a: An ability on the stack exists independently of its source; last known information may be used.
• CR 608.2b: Targets are checked again on resolution.

Card sources

Oracle text snapshot checked 2026-10-15. These quotations are card reference material, not original MtG-RC explanations.

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