Can I equip Lightning Greaves in response to a target spell?
Asked by BubbleMahn 9 years ago
Let's say I have an Ornithopter out, as well as Lightning Greaves (unequipped). My opponent casts a Shock , targeting my Ornithopter . I don't want it to die, so in response, can I equip Lightning Greaves to prevent my Ornithopter from dying?
(I'm pretty sure Equipping can be done at instant speed, so long as the cost is payed and the ability is able to be used.)
BubbleMahn says... #3
Thanks. Can I only equip when the stack is empty on my main phase, or can it be any time on my main phase?
October 23, 2014 8:11 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #4
"Any time you could play a sorcery" means on your main phase when the stack is empty and you have priority. You can't play a sorcery in response to anything, no matter what step or phase it is. Similarly, you can't activate a "sorcery-speed" ability in response to anything.
October 23, 2014 8:37 p.m.
BubbleMahn says... #5
Thank you. Just wondering, when a rule says "when the stack is empty", what does that mean?
October 23, 2014 8:58 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #6
The stack and priority are two closely related topics that are a whole can of worms that are a little too in depth for a short answer but I shall try.
When you cast spells or activate abilities in MTG they do not have their effects immediately, they must first go to "the stack" and wait for each person to say they would not like to do anything before the spell has its effect. If someone does want to do something it is put on the top of the stack and each person gets a chance to respond to it. When no players want to do anything the top spell or ability of the stack has its effect and then each player gets a chance to do something again before any further spells or abilities have their effect.
"When the stack is empty" means that there are no spells or abilities on the stack currently. So sorceries and abilities that say "Activate only any time you could cast a sorcery" can not be used "in response" to anything.
October 23, 2014 9:24 p.m.
BubbleMahn says... #7
Cool, I appreciate the help. So if someone casts a Lightning Bolt , and in response another player casts Counterspell , and the Lightning Bolt is successfully countered, then that's the end of the stack? If I play a sorcery after that, then is that a 'new' stack?
October 23, 2014 9:34 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #8
There is only ever one stack, but I think you grasp the basics of it. I'm going to extend your example a little and provide a full look at the stack during an exchange:
- Empty Stack
- Player A activates Lightning Greaves 's ability targeting Dark Confidant (1 object on the Stack)
- Player B casts Lightning Bolt targeting Dark Confidant (2 objects on the Stack)
- Player A casts Counterspell targeting Lightning Bolt (3 objects on the Stack)
- Neither player wants to cast anything else so Counterspell resolves countering Lightning Bolt as part of countering a spell it is removed from the stack and Counterspell is removed because it resolved (1 object on the Stack)
- Neither player wants to cast anything else so Lightning Greaves 's ability resolves and Dark Confidant becomes equipped by it. (Empty Stack)
- Player A casts Demonic Tutor (1 object on the Stack)
It is important to note that there is only ever one Stack and it just fills and empties as spells are cast/resolved/countered because the old system (which I wasn't playing during so don't ask me to explain) wasn't a purely First In, Last Out system like the Stack is.
October 23, 2014 10 p.m.
BubbleMahn says... #9
Alright then, I think I've got the hang of it. Thanks again.
October 23, 2014 11 p.m.
BubbleMahn says... #10
I guess I have one last question about equipping: Can I equip equipment to a creature during the same Main Phase in which it is cast? eg. Can I play a Lightning Greaves and then equip it to my Ornithopter (at sorcery speed) all in the first main phase of my turn?
October 24, 2014 1:29 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #11
Yes. Other than summoning sickness, which applies only to creatures, there's no restriction on using any permanents the turn they enter the battlefield.
October 24, 2014 1:36 a.m.
hey just putting this out there but a Leonin Shikari would allow you to :) would pretty much give everything shroud if you used it right.
October 24, 2014 10:28 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #13
The problem is that if we start listing off ways to make every question work as the author is hoping the Q&A turns into deck help instead of Rules Q&A.
October 24, 2014 9:41 p.m.
BubbleMahn says... #14
Yeah, Gidgetimer's right, I just read through a lot of rules for refreshing my memory. I still appreciate the help, I'll try adding a Leonin Shikari to one of my decks.
October 25, 2014 4:04 a.m.
Oh that makes sense, sorry still fairly new to forums in general il keep this in mind next time friends.
Frayace says... #1
equipping is only done at sorcery speed.
October 23, 2014 7:24 p.m.