Possible bug / unclear UI: Unable to decline Foundation Breaker’s optional destruction
Environment: NeoForge, multiplayer Commander game, playing Brenard, Ginger Sculptor.
Summary
I believe there may be a problem with how the interface handles—or explains—the optional destruction from Foundation Breaker’s enter-the-battlefield ability.
I did not want to destroy my Birthing Pod. However, I could not find a way to continue without choosing one of my own permanents, and Birthing Pod ultimately was destroyed. It is possible there was a workaround or a way to decline that I missed.
What happened
During turn 44 in the game log:
1. I activated Birthing Pod, sacrificing Spellseeker.
2. Birthing Pod put Foundation Breaker onto the battlefield.
3. Foundation Breaker’s ability prompted me to choose a target. The interface highlighted eligible permanents, which appeared to be only some of my own cards.
4. There was an OK button, but Cancel was grayed out.
5. I tried a couple of things to get past the prompt without losing one of my permanents, but I could not find a way.
6. I selected Birthing Pod to proceed, and it was destroyed.
To distinguish the two actions: sacrificing Spellseeker was the intended cost of activating Birthing Pod. Destroying Birthing Pod afterward was unwanted.
Expected behavior / rules clarification
Foundation Breaker’s ability says:
«When Foundation Breaker enters, you may destroy target artifact or enchantment.»
My understanding is that selecting a legal target can be required when this ability goes onto the stack, even if I intend not to destroy anything. However, under Comprehensive Rules 603.5, the decision whether to perform the optional action is made when the ability resolves.
Therefore, even if I must initially target my own Birthing Pod, I should still be able to decline to destroy it when the ability resolves.
I am not claiming that the disabled Cancel button by itself proves a bug. My concern is that I could not find a way to decline the destruction anywhere in the sequence.
Relevant game-log excerpt
Human activated Birthing Pod
Human triggered Foundation Breaker targeting [Birthing Pod (57)]
Birthing Pod (57) was put into Graveyard from Battlefield.
When Foundation Breaker enters, you may destroy target artifact or enchantment. (Targeting: [[Birthing Pod (57)]]) [Zone Changer: Foundation Breaker (32)]
Request
Could you check whether the optional destruction is being incorrectly forced, or whether the interface’s decline option is missing or unclear?
If there is already a way to decline, please explain the exact steps and which prompt or button I should use. If the ability is being automatically accepted, please also explain how to prevent that.
Rules references: "Foundation Breaker — official release notes" (https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/modern-horizons-2-release-notes-2021-06-04); "Comprehensive Rules — see rule 603.5" (https://media.wizards.com/2026/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020260925.txt).