When do you pay the cost of Y in cases like: Vodalian Mage Lim Duls Hex Seizures Soul Barrier Presumably as part of the resolution of the appropriate effect? Is this still true where the X is damage and the Y is damage prevention? Presumably if the source is destroyed after X, but before Y then you can still pay Y (eg Naf's Asp destroyed after it damages. It could still do extra damage and extra damage could still be prevented by paying 1 mana) Prevent X unless you do/pay Y: timing slightly different? eg Brainwash. Do you have to pay the 3 mana before assigning the attacker, after assignment, or as a cost to assign? eg Drought. Is the sacrifice done before anouncement, after or as an additional cost during anouncement? --David