Can Back Off be played from Hidden if there is no legal target on the battlefield?

Question

I have Scuttle Crab on a battlefield and Back Off hidden. My opponent Smite kills Scuttle Crab. On the Deathknell, can I reveal Back Off and target a unit in base or elsewhere, or is it trashed because Hidden limits targeting to that battlefield?

Anonyme · Accepted Answer

No. Without a legal target on that battlefield, Back Off cannot be played from Hidden and is trashed when you lose control of the battlefield. If you reveal it during a showdown and Star Crossed removes all units from the battlefield, it resolves with no effect but still counts as played (unlike a countered spell). Hidden cards only escape this restriction when they explicitly target another location, such as Tideturner or Evelynn.

Can Back Off be played from Hidden if there is no legal target on the battlefield?

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