Dash Hopes

Instant, BB (2)
When you cast Dash Hopes, any player may pay 5 life. If a player does, counter Dash Hopes.
Counter target spell.¹
"Focus an enemy's mind on what's already gone, and it's easier to take away more." —Holux, stronghold racketeer
Illus. Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai

Gatherer Card Rulings [Nov 2009]

• 2/1/2007: When this spell is cast, its "extortion" ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it.
• 2/1/2007: As the triggered ability resolves, the active player gets the option to perform the action. If that player declines, the next player in turn order gets the option. As soon as any player performs the action, the spell is countered, but the remaining players still get the option. If all players decline, the spell remains on the stack.
• 2/1/2007: A player can't choose the "extortion" option unless he or she can actually do it. For example, if the action were "discard three cards," a player with two or fewer cards in hand couldn't take the option to counter the spell.

Format Legality	Legal in Vintage, Legacy, Extended Banned in Standard
Printings (1/9)	Planar Chaos (Common)