If a basic land gains a tap ability, what happens when you tap it?

Asked by dhch75 11 years ago

Example:

You have an Island on the field. A card comes into play that gives that island the ability: Tap; all opposing players discard a card.

Does: (1)The card tap for mana and the discard automatically? (2)Must you specify what you are tapping for? (3) Can you only use either the mana or the discard or can you use both simultaneously?

Devonin says... Accepted answer #1

They are both activated abilities with "tap" as their activation cost. You can activate only one ability at a time, and when you pay its cost (tapping it) you won't be able to pay the cost to activate the other ability (as it is already tapped)

It has both abilities, you have to pick which one you are activating.

March 28, 2014 2:59 p.m.

GreatSword says... #2

A land tapping for mana is an activated ability. All activated abilities have a cost, which is always everything to the left of the colon (:) in the ability. Just like you can't use 1 green mana to pay for 2 Giant Growth 's, you can't use the same cost to pay for 2 different abilities. You must announce what ability you're activating, then pay its cost.

March 28, 2014 3:03 p.m.