Tappning and untapping Mikaeus the Lunarch
Asked by Banwar 12 years ago
Hello, I'm wondering about the tapping abilities of Mikaeus, the Lunarch . In a casual event my opponent tapped his Mikaeus during his turn to add a +1 counter on him. Then during my turn untapped him to remove a counter andadd counters on all his creatures.
Is it legal to use Mikaeus this way?
Arachnarchist says... #2
As long as something else untaps him, your opponent can use his abilities multiple times.
June 11, 2012 1:17 p.m.
metalmagic says... #3
I think he is saying that his opponent untapped the Mikaeus, the Lunarch and used the ability right there, as if it had an untap symbol like Knacksaw Clique .
If this is what you are saying, ONLY creatures with the untap symbol (which is different from the tap symbol) can do what you described. The tap symbol means one thing only: tap the permanent. You cannot untap a creature as part of the cost of activating an ability unless the untap symbol is used (or it is specified as a cost).
June 11, 2012 1:31 p.m.
Thanks for clarifying that. I wasn't aware of the difference between the tap and the untap symbols.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1
Mikaeus, the Lunarch doesn't have any abilities that allow him to untap himself, so this play can't be done without the help of an effect on another card. If your opponent did use some other effect to untap Mikaeus, then this was a legal play. Abilities on creatures can be activated at any time the controller has priority and is able to pay the cost. If Mikaeus is untapped and has a +1/+1 counter on him, then the ability that has "Tap, Remove a +1/+1 counter" as a cost can be activated.
June 11, 2012 1:16 p.m.