When do i actually tell the table what I'm targeting???
Asked by QuirkyQU33FER 2 years ago
so let's say I'm in a 4 pod edh game...I cast an Assassin's Trophy (any targeting spell will work for this) It obviously needs a target. and there are legal targets on board, but here is the question. Do I need to declare my target as soon as I cast it or can I wait until everyone passes priority to decide what I'm destroying?
To be specific, there are a few steps to casting a spell (taken from Rule 601.2). There are some nitty-gritty bits, but here are the main steps:
- Announce you are casting the spell, and move it onto the stack.
- If it has multiple modes (such as Silverquill Command) choose the mode or modes you will use. Also announce whether you're casting it for an alternate cost, and if you will be paying any additional costs (such as kicker).
- Announce all of the targets for the spell.
- Check if the spell can be legally cast this way (all targets must be legal, choices made are valid, etc). If not, take the whole spell back.
- Determine the total cost you'll have to pay.
- Pay the cost(s) of the spell.
- The spell is now cast. You get priority.
So as Omniscience says, you select targets, choose modes, and decide whether to kick it when you cast the spell, before players get priority again. Everyone knows what the spell will be doing before they have to respond to it. The exceptions are things like Abundant Harvest, where you can wait to decide land or nonland until it starts resolving.
December 24, 2021 5:40 p.m.
DragonWolf420 says... #3
if targets weren't chosen as part of casting the spell, effects that change the targets of spells or that grant protection/hexproof would become almost entirely useless. if you cast an Assassin's Trophy and i don't know what it's targeting until it resolves (is too late) then theres not much point to cards like Blossoming Defense.
December 30, 2021 11:46 p.m.
In the future, please remember to hit the green "Mark as Answer" button to indicate your question is resolved. Since this question has been resolved for a number of days, I have gone ahead and marked an answer on your behalf.
Omniscience_is_life says... Accepted answer #1
In order to put a spell or ability that has a target on the stack, it must have a target. This means that you actually have to declare the target as you are casting the spell.
This is in direct opposition with spells that use the word "choose" instead of target, because you may choose objects as the spell is resolving, ergo after priority goes 'round the table.
December 24, 2021 3:24 a.m.