main phase steps - playing a land and playing creature spells
Asked by patrickolson 10 years ago
OK, Looking for a little clarification.
1)
Per the rules:
505.4a The main phase is the only phase in which a player can normally cast artifact, creature, enchantment, planeswalker, and sorcery spells. Only the active player may cast these spells.
The question: My friends have been playing that you can cast creature spells in the second main phase (post combat main phase).
I see the following rule clarifies them both as the main phase.
505.1. There are two main phases in a turn. In each turn, the first main phase (also known as the precombat main phase) and the second main phase (also known as the postcombat main phase) are separated by the combat phase (see rule 506, "Combat Phase"). The precombat and postcombat main phases are individually and collectively known as the main phase.
This means that you CAN play creature spells in either main phase correct?
2).
The following specifically states that a land can be played during either main phase....this seems to contradict the rule about playing creatures spells, which doesn't say it can be played during either main phase...
505.4b During either main phase, the active player may play one land card from his or her hand if the stack is empty, if the player has priority, and if he or she hasn't yet taken this special action this turn. (See rule 305, "Lands.") This action doesn't use the stack. Neither the land nor the action of playing the land is a spell or ability, so it can't be countered, and players can't respond to it with instants or activated abilities.
Either way, this would mean that if you go into your cleanup phase, you are no longer allowed to play a land correct? Yes, I know it would be a dick move if you are playing with friends...but tournament wise, this is the case correct?
Epochalyptik says... #2
1) Yes. You can play creature spells during any of your main phases, provided you have priority and the stack is empty.
2) Nothing contradicts anything here. Lands work the same way as creatures in terms of timing; you can play them during any of your main phases, provided you have priority and the stack is empty. The difference is that playing a land doesn't use the stack, so players can't respond to it. Also, you may only play one land on each of your turns.
If a player moves to his or her end phase without playing a land, then he or she has elected not to play a land this turn. You can't play lands outside of your main phases.
June 12, 2014 6:20 p.m.
patrickolson says... #3
Thanks all.
When I said it contradicts, I just meant in the following way.
The main phase is the only phase in which a player can normally cast artifact, creature, enchantment, planeswalker, and sorcery spells.
vs.
During either main phase, the active player may play one land card from his or her hand if the stack is empty....
The wording is a bit wonky. You would think they would be consistent with the wording here.
Dracoson says... Accepted answer #1
Yes, you can cast creature spells during either main phase. You can also play 1 land during either main phases. And no, you cannot play lands during either the end step or cleanup step.
June 12, 2014 6:18 p.m.