During combat, when is it legal to use instants?
Asked by thorton 12 years ago
For example,
1) Can I Doom Blade an attacker after he is declared and prevent damage or do I have to use it as a preemptive strike?
2) After attacking with Glistener Elf and no blocker is declared, can I use Giant Growth to increase his infect damage?
You receive priority during the beginning of combat step, during the declare attackers step after attackers are declared, during the declare blockers step after blockers are declared, during the combat damage step after combat damage is dealt, and during the end of combat step.
So yes, you can Doom Blade a creature after it has been declared an attacker, and you can Giant Growth a Glistener Elf after no blockers have been declared.
December 24, 2011 5:49 p.m.
Casting spells before attackers are declared would have to be during the beginning of combat step. After attackers are declared and before blockers are declared is the same time (being the declare attackers step).
December 24, 2011 5:51 p.m.
BrightGreenLine says... Accepted answer #4
First, to answer your questions followed by a detailed description of what actually happens.
1) Yes, after your opponent declares attackers in the Declare Attackers Step, you can cast spells and kill it. You also have the option to cast the spell in the Declare Blockers step to kill it before its damage is assigned; after you have a chance to declare blockers you can cast spells.
2) Yes. After declare blockers, both players have the opportunity to cast spells. You can cast Giant Growth here before damage is assigned and dealt.
The general rule for combat phases is this: First, you do whatever the phase says you are supposed to do, and then all players have to pass priority before the next phase begins, and you repeat this process. Eash phase can be broken down into (Special Action), Active Player gets priority. The beginning and end steps of combat don't have any special actions associated, but the other three do. Here's a list of the combat phases, and what happens:
- Beginning of Combat Step. No special actions, phase ends when all players pass priority on an empty stack.
- Declare Attackers Step. Special action: Attacking player chooses attacking creatures and the players/planeswalkers they attack. Priority is given before the phase ends.
- Declare Blockers Step. Special action: Defending players (in turn order) declare the creatures that are blocking, then players get priority to cast spells and instants.
- Combat Damage Step. Special action: Damage is assigned and then dealt, and after state-based actions are checked triggers are put on the stack and players get priority to cast spells and activate abilities.
- End of Combat Step. No special action, players get one final chance to cast spells and abilities before the combat phase officially ends.
sarpnasty says... #1
During combat, you can cast instants before attacks are declared, after attacks are declared, before blockers are declared and after blockers are declared. After that, you have to wait until combat damage is calculated to cast another spell or activate another ability.
December 24, 2011 5:42 p.m.