question on arbor elf
Asked by student-of-life 9 years ago
If I have two forests out and an Arbor Elf, I can tap the forests and add two mana to my pool and then tap Arbor Elf to untapped a forest and then tap it to add another green and play Squirrel Mob. Correct?
Epochalyptik says... #2
Yes, but note that you would need to float the mana before announcing the spell.
When it comes time to pay for a spell or ability, the relevant player is permitted to activate mana abilities of permanents he or she controls. However, Arbor Elf's ability is not a mana ability. It's a regular activated ability, and it must use the stack. A player could respond to this ability by destroying the tapped land and you wouldn't be able to do much about it.
January 22, 2015 2:53 p.m.
student-of-life says... #3
That's what I thought. I have been playing with a new player so when I do something he hasn't seen or doesn't understand, he wants me to double check and I know there loads of things I don't know about magic. Do I need to announce the float? I just played my land and then tapped the lands and then I tapped the elf and then tapped the forest again. He thought I had to use the mana before I could tap a land again even if it was untapped by Arbor Elf. As always, I greatly appreciate your guys help.
January 22, 2015 3:32 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #4
You don't have to announce that you are floating mana since you tapped to add it to your mana pool and the step or phase hasn't ended so it is still there. Most people I have played with do announce mana that is being floated though. Saying "Float two green. Untap with Arbor Elf. One more makes three to cast Squirrel Mob" makes it clear what is going on.
Your scenario is fairly straightforward and seasoned players are unlikely to need the commentary for it, but when playing with Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx or Serra's Sanctum where you are tapping for 10+ mana and spending it on multiple spells it is helpful. So it is a good habit to get into.
filledelanuit says... Accepted answer #1
That is completely acceptable. Mana stays floating until the end of a step or phase.
January 22, 2015 2:34 p.m.