how does Silence work?
General forum
Posted on Dec. 31, 2010, 7:29 p.m. by necromatic
I don't understand Silence . I know it cant possibly mean that casting Silence at the beginning of your opponent's turn gives you an extra turn. How does it work? is it useful at all? Thank you.
In other words, the opponent can respond by putting something with flash or an instant on the stack, but aside from that, no, they can't cast any spells that turn. That does not prevent them from playing lands, attacking, sacrificing, or using tap abilities of permanents already in play though.
January 1, 2011 5:11 a.m.
Shoyru1444 says... #4
Here's what happens. (0.) Your opponents cast a spell. 1. You cast Silence. 2. They react with cards with flash/instants. 3a. They counter/exile Silence, so it has no effect. 3b. Silence resolves. 4b. Until end of turn, opponent(s) are unable to play spells. (They can still play lands, however, they can't 'cast' spells they can still use cycling abilities and such).
January 1, 2011 7:26 a.m.
Preferrably, you want to cast this on their Upkeep, which takes place after they untap but before they draw. This prevents them possibly responding with a counter that they draw that turn. If you play this during their main phase (after they draw), they have a chance to play creatures or sorceries first before you can respond with Silence because they receive priority at the start of their main phase. The Silence will not come into effect until it resolves, and thus it will not stop whatever they choose to play in the main phase before passing priority. In other words, just play it on upkeep. :P
January 1, 2011 9:12 a.m.
Crusher I think if you play Silence during your opponent's main phase, since they have priority, they have the chance to play one non-instant spell and as many instants as they want, not multiple creatures or sorceries.
January 1, 2011 5:26 p.m.
That's correct xfire57. I wasn't very clear, sorry. >.< But yes, one chance to put as much as you're able to on the stack before passing priority and allowing someone to respond.
January 2, 2011 5:53 a.m.
Shoyru1444 says... #9
Xfire, you are incorrect about casting a non-instant spell after their silence; you cannot cast non-instant or non-flash spells if there is anything on the stack.
xfire57 says... #2
When you cast Silence at the beginning of your opponent's turn he only has the mana left over from both of your previous turns to either respond (aka mana leak) or to cast any instants or flash spells.
Otherwise on his turn, he can only untap, draw, play a land, and activate abilities.
At least that's how I understand it.
December 31, 2010 9:49 p.m.