Can i destroy a land in response to it tapping?

General forum

Posted on May 8, 2013, 4:26 p.m. by miles123

Say someone taps out for 4 to play something. Can I destroy their land at instant speed (Strip Mine ) to keep them from getting to play a 4 cmc card? Can I take out a clue stone or keyrune on their turn to accomplish the same thing using something like Ancient Grudge ?

Rhadamanthus says... #2

When a mana ability (an ability that makes mana, doesn't have targets, and isn't a loyalty ability) is activated, it resolves immediately without using the stack. No one can respond to this.

May 8, 2013 4:34 p.m.

Kogarashi says... #3

406.4. A mana ability can be activated or triggered. Mana abilities are played and resolved like other abilities, but they dont go on the stack, so they cant be countered or responded to. See rule 411, Playing Mana Abilities, and rule 408.2, Actions That Dont Use the Stack.

Tapping a land, cluestone, keyrune, etc. for mana is (with some specific exceptions) a mana ability, and thus doesn't use the stack. You can't respond by destroying the permanent to keep them from getting the mana.

Even if you could (if the ability uses the stack, as with Deathrite Shaman ), the ability is already paid for and on the stack, and will resolve independent of the permanent continuing to exist on the battlefield. And if you target Deathrite Shaman for destruction to try to prevent the ability from being used, your opponent can respond in turn by activating the ability anyway.

May 8, 2013 4:34 p.m.

shadowmoses514 says... #4

Yes, you can destroy a land/mana rock in response to it tapping. They will not have gained the mana to their mana pool since your effect will resolve first.

May 8, 2013 4:34 p.m.

Zurnic says... #5

605.3b An activated mana ability doesnt go on the stack, so it cant be targeted, countered, or otherwise responded to. Rather, it resolves immediately after it is activated.

May 8, 2013 4:35 p.m.

foxhull says... #6

Mana abilities don't use the stack, so you won't be able to respond that way. You'd have to Strip Mine/Grudge the mana source after they cast the spell, or on your turn/their upkeep in order to stop them from casting that spell.

May 8, 2013 4:35 p.m.

gufymike says... #7

No, mana abilities can't be responded to. See rule 605.3b

605.3. Activating an activated mana ability follows the rules for activating any other activated ability (see rule 602.2), with the following exceptions: #

605.3a A player may activate an activated mana ability whenever he or she has priority, whenever he or she is casting a spell or activating an ability that requires a mana payment, or whenever a rule or effect asks for a mana payment, even if it's in the middle of casting or resolving a spell or activating or resolving an ability. #

605.3b An activated mana ability doesn't go on the stack, so it can't be targeted, countered, or otherwise responded to. Rather, it resolves immediately after it is activated. (See rule 405.6c.)

May 8, 2013 4:36 p.m.

shadowmoses514 says... #8

Guess I was wrong..

May 8, 2013 4:36 p.m.

Mokii198 says... #9

I don't think so when you tap a land you add the mana to your pool and it status there unless they use it or change phases. Something like that. i'm not sure about this though.

May 8, 2013 4:37 p.m.

Mokii198 says... #10

Stays

May 8, 2013 4:41 p.m.

Kogarashi says... #11

There is a small list of things that produce mana that you can respond to. If the ability has a target or is a loyalty ability, or if it's a spell producing mana, then it uses the stack as normal and can be responded to. Some examples:

Deathrite Shaman : his mana-producing ability targets a land in a graveyard, and therefore is not considered a "mana ability," so it uses the stack as normal. You'd have to Stifle or similar the ability, though, in order to prevent it from giving your opponent mana.

Seething Song , Dark Ritual : these are spells that produce mana, and therefore have to use the stack.

Koth of the Hammer : his -2 ability produces mana, but as it's a loyalty ability, it must use the stack and can be responded to. As with Deathrite Shaman , you'd have to actually counter the ability, rather than simply remove the planeswalker.

For the most part, once an object's activation cost is paid (including tapping if necessary), the ability is already on the stack and will resolve unless directly responded to. Removing the source of the ability won't counter the ability itself.

May 8, 2013 4:43 p.m.

My situation is, that i use worldslayer, deal damage and destroy all perms, can he use his mana to regenerate his creatures before i destroy all lands and creatures.

November 23, 2014 3:57 a.m.

Blizzicane says... #13

Masterofall123 please do not reply to old Q&A's as no one will notice your question (this one is a year old and I only happen to notice because I was browsing the comment stream) if you have a questions please make a new post in MTG Q&A.

But I will answer your current question anyway. Yes. your opponent can use his/her mana to regenerate their creatures before you destroy all lands and creatures because Worldslayer ability goes on the stack and can be responded to. :3

November 23, 2014 4:30 a.m.

That's the second year-old necro I've seen today....what happened lol

November 23, 2014 10:59 a.m.

Blizzicane says... #15

ThisIsBullshit google search happened (your name extremely fitting for the situation lol). :3

November 23, 2014 3:28 p.m.

My name is very fitting for a lot of situations lol but don't you have to be a user to comment?

November 23, 2014 4:06 p.m.

Blizzicane says... #17

ThisIsBullshit

What do you mean by user? Do you mean have a tappedout account? then yes. :3

November 23, 2014 4:12 p.m.

So do people make accounts just to comment on one thing they found on the Google?

Also, vampirelazarus

November 23, 2014 10:19 p.m.

In my defense i didnt make an account to comment ive had this account, just saw the tread it was semi related to what i needed to know, so i commented without second thought, sorry if it was an annoyance to you.

November 24, 2014 12:28 a.m.

This discussion has been closed