If a unit with 4 Might takes 3 damage from Hextech Ray, then has its Might reduced by 1 from Stupefy, does it die?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. After Hextech Ray deals 3 damage, if Stupefy then reduces the unit's Might from 4 to 3, the unit has damage marked equal to its current Might and is Killed.

When the unit's Might becomes 3 while it has 3 damage marked, that damage is equal to its current Might and the unit is Killed immediately per the rules for damage and Might [143]. Units are evaluated by their current Might when determining such interactions [710].

Hextech Ray resolves and deals 3 damage to the unit; the unit marks 3 damage [143]. Stupefy resolves and reduces the unit's Might from 4 to 3 (it cannot be reduced below 1 per its text). The game evaluates the unit's current Might against the damage marked. Because marked damage (3) is now equal to the unit's current Might (3), the unit meets the condition for being Killed [143]. The unit is Killed immediately when that condition becomes true [143].

If Stupefy resolved before Hextech Ray (i.e., played in response so the Might is 3 before damage is dealt), then Hextech Ray dealing 3 damage still results in damage equaling Might, so the unit is still Killed. If another effect changes what counts as lethal damage (for example, effects described in clarifications that alter lethal damage), the outcome could differ; consult that effect. See clarifications on lethal damage modification [FAQ:unleashed#8]. If the unit left the board (or changed to a non-board zone) between these events, interactions may be different because the game treats non-board objects as different game objects or with null values [359].

A unit is Killed whenever the amount of nonzero damage marked on it is equal to or greater than its current Might [143]. In this scenario, Hextech Ray deals 3 damage, so the unit has 3 damage marked. When Stupefy then reduces the unit's Might by 1 (from 4 to 3; note Stupefy's text enforces a minimum of 1 Might), the unit's current Might becomes 3. Because the marked damage (3) now equals the unit's current Might (3), the condition in rule [143] is met and the unit is Killed immediately. This conclusion relies on evaluating Might and damage using the unit's current Might at the time of the check [710] [143]. If the order of resolution were different (for example, Stupefy resolving before Hextech Ray), the end result is the same: 3 damage vs. 3 Might results in the unit being Killed. If other effects alter the definition of lethal damage or the unit's zone/status, consult those effects and the targeting/zone rules, as those can change the interaction [FAQ:unleashed#8] [359].