Are attackers tapped as soon as they're declared?

Asked by Chadarnook 8 years ago

Or is there an opportunity to cast spells or activate abilities before they would become tapped due to attacking but after the declaration is made?

I ask because I chose to attack my opponent with a Rumbling Slum and a Boros Reckoner, and in response he chose to activate Rubinia Soulsinger's ability to gain control of the Boros Reckoner and use it to block the Rumbling Slum. He specifically waited for me to declare my attackers so he could remove one of them from attacking and use it as a blocker for the other, but wouldn't they be tapped from attacking?

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

The declaration of attackers is a turn-based action. It doesn't use the stack, it can't be responded to, and players don't have priority while it's happening.

You first declare which creatures are attacking and who or what they're attacking. You then tap them unless they have vigilance. After that, the declaration is complete and players get priority.

Therefore, your opponent was in the wrong; players' last chance to do anything before attackers are declared is in the beginning of combat step, which immediately precedes the declare attackers step. If your opponent waits until after you declare attackers, your attackers will be tapped.

Now, your opponent can still gain control of Boros Reckoner and thus remove it from combat, but he or she can't block with it unless he or she gains control of it before you declare attackers.

July 25, 2015 9:31 p.m.