Black Vise
Artifact
As this artifact enters, choose an opponent.
At the beginning of the chosen player's upkeep, this artifact deals X damage to that player, where X is the number of cards in their hand minus 4.
Richard Thomas
Rulings
If the chosen player has four or fewer cards in their hand as Black Vise's ability resolves, the ability just won't do anything that turn.
(wotc • 2009-10-01)
You choose one opposing player as it enters and it only affects that one player. This choice is not changed even if Black Vise changes controllers. It becomes useless but stays on the battlefield if that player leaves the game.
(wotc • 2004-10-04)
Rulings
If the chosen player has four or fewer cards in their hand as Black Vise's ability resolves, the ability just won't do anything that turn.
(wotc • 2009-10-01)
You choose one opposing player as it enters and it only affects that one player. This choice is not changed even if Black Vise changes controllers. It becomes useless but stays on the battlefield if that player leaves the game.
(wotc • 2004-10-04)