Defenses against Blasphemy?

[Infiniti2000]

But, if I readied an action to attack my opponent if he attacks (perhaps there is some mexican standoff occurring) then my attack occurs before my opponent's attack and if my attack kills my opponent, then his attack--the one that set off my readied action--never occurs.

Why wouldn't the action ever occur? It has already occurred. Explain what rule says that it never has occurred, and the one you've already implied is not sufficient. Basically, my point is that you cannot use the Ready language to preempt actions that already occur (necessarily) prior to your action.

 

[Cameron]

Why wouldn't the action ever occur? It has already occurred. Explain what rule says that it never has occurred, and the one you've already implied is not sufficient. Basically, my point is that you cannot use the Ready language to preempt actions that already occur (necessarily) prior to your action.

Sure you can. "If he looks like he is casting a spell, I hit him." You whack him before he finishes, since your attack resolves instantly.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Sure you can. "If he looks like he is casting a spell, I hit him." You whack him before he finishes, since your attack resolves instantly.

"Casting" is still in the process. Elder-Basilisk is saying something more on the lines of this example: "If he kills me, I disarm him so he can't."