When using Repeat on Thwonk, can I target a different unit than the original target?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you pay Repeat on Thwonk!, you may choose a different unit for the repeated execution(s). Choices for the extra execution(s) are made when the spell is finalized, and they do not have to match the original choice. However, you cannot cause a stunned unit to become stunned again — choosing an already-stunned unit will simply have no effect for that execution. [820.2.a] [355.1] [423.1.a.1]

When you play Thwonk! and pay its Repeat cost, you make the choices for each execution (initial + each repeat) as part of finalizing the spell. Each execution’s choices may be different, so you may target a different unit with the repeated execution(s). If any chosen target is already stunned, that execution won’t stun it (the instruction can’t be applied). [820.2] [820.2.a] [355.1] [423.1.a.1]

Decide to play Thwonk! and pay its base cost and any Repeat costs you want to pay as you finalize the spell; each instance of Repeat you pay will create one additional execution to be performed on resolution. [820.1.d.1] During Make Relevant Choices (finalization), choose targets for the initial execution and for each repeated execution separately; these choices can be different. [355.1] [820.2.a] Place the spell on the chain as a single played card with the chosen targets recorded for each execution. [820.3.a] When Thwonk! resolves, perform its instructions in order the number of times equal to initial + repeats, applying each execution to the target you chose for that execution. If a chosen target is legal but already stunned, the stun instruction cannot apply and will be ignored for that execution. [359.3.e.6] [423.1.a.1] If a chosen target became an illegal target before resolution (for example, moved to a non-board zone), that particular execution won’t affect it. Validity and effects are handled at resolution. [359.3.e.5]

You must choose targets for the repeated executions up front when finalizing the play. You cannot wait to see the result of the first execution and then pick a different target for the repeat at resolution — the repeat’s target is chosen during Make Relevant Choices. [820.2] [355.1] If you choose the same unit for multiple executions and that unit is stunned by the first execution, later executions targeting that same unit will be unable to stun it again (no additional effect), because a Stunned unit cannot be stunned again. [423.1.a.1] If a chosen target changes to a non-board zone before resolution, the relationship is severed and that execution won’t affect it. If it simply becomes an otherwise illegal target (but remains the same object on the board), the spell still 'remembers' the choice and resolution handles whether the instruction can be applied. [359.3.e.3] [359.3.e.5] If you paid multiple instances of Repeat, you make separate choices for each paid instance; each may target the same or different units. [820.3]

Repeat is an optional additional cost that causes a spell’s instructions to be executed additional times; when you pay Repeat you will execute the spell once per paid instance upon resolution. Choices for those additional executions must be made during the Make Relevant Choices step as you play the spell, and choices for repeats do not need to match the initial choices — you may choose different targets or modes for each execution. [820.1.d.1] [820.2] [820.2.a] For spells, targets and other relevant choices are made when the spell is played. [355.1] Therefore, when you play Thwonk! and pay its Repeat cost, you must pick the target for the initial stun and the target(s) for each repeated stun now; those targets can be different. If a chosen target is legal but already stunned by an earlier execution (or by some other effect), a Stunned unit cannot be stunned again, so that execution will not have an effect. [423.1.a.1] If a chosen target becomes an illegal choice (for example it moved to a non-board zone) before resolution, that execution won’t affect it; instructions that can’t be followed are ignored. [359.3.e.6] In short: yes — you may target a different unit with the Repeat execution(s) of Thwonk!, but you must pick that different target when you finalize the spell, and you can’t gain any effect from trying to stun a unit that’s already stunned. [820.2.a] [355.1] [423.1.a.1]