The phases in a turn? Instants/Flash Cards = when?
Asked by WalzY 12 years ago
I tried to cast a Snapcaster Mage / Restoration Angel twice during casual games a few evenings ago at certain points in the game. Once, I tried to cast Snapcaster Mage just after my opponent drew a card, to flashback Aurelia's Fury to target him before his first main phase for 1 to stop him casting sorceries/making him spend any instants he had in his hand. I assume I can do that, and he can't enter his main phase until it resolves. Similarly, I tried to cast a Restoration Angel on one of his end steps, and he thought he could cast Mutilate , a sorcery, as it was still his turn, thinking he was allowed as it's still his turn. I said it was past his second main phase and on his end step, so only instants and flash cards could be played.
Was I correct in each instance?
I believe the steps in magic are:
1) Untap
2) Upkeep
3) DrawFirst opportunity for any instant/flash speed spells to be cast this turn
4) Main Phase 1
5) Combat Phase: Declare Attackers
6) Combat Phase: Declare Blockers
7) Combat Damage Assigned
8) Main Phase 2
9) End Step (Only Instants/Flash cards playable)
10) Opponent's turn
TheSeventhNinja says... #2
You get priority at the end of each phase and step, as well as after an opponent plays a spell and passes priority. After you cast a spell, you get priority , then, after you pass priority, your opponenet gets priority.
I believe you were correct in each instance, hope that all made seense.
March 30, 2013 9:32 a.m.
I figured - my point was that players don't receive priority during the untap step, so the first step that (I think) players can cast spells during is the upkeep. But I agree otherwise, the untap step comes before the upkeep step.
March 30, 2013 9:39 a.m.
TheSeventhNinja says... #5
Whoops, read that wrong. I see what you mean now.
March 30, 2013 9:40 a.m.
djbalestra says... #6
BadumPsh is 100 percent correct. The first phase that spells can be cast is the upkeep step, and his ruling on the draw step clearly shows that in your first instance you are allowed to cast Aurelia's Fury after the draw before the draw step end. I used to cast Time Stop on people at this time as well. Your second instance is also correct, sorceries cannot be cast during the end step without some card being on the field saying that they have flash (ex: Hypersonic Dragon ), otherwise they can only be cast during the main phases, so playing Mutilate was an illegal move.
March 30, 2013 9:49 a.m.
I'd also like to point out TheSeventhNinja is mostly correct, but, as other people have pointed out no player gets priority during the Untap Step of the Beginning Phase. You also do not get priority during the Cleanup Step of the End Phase, unless an ability specifically triggers during the Cleanup Step, after which the Cleanup Step repeats without the trigger after its been resolved if players play spells.
As for when you can play spells during an opponents turn, you automatically get a chance to do so at the end of each step and phase (even if your opponent plays nothing that phase or step) because your opponent must pass priority and you must pass in succession for the game to proceed to the next phase or step.
And for posterity, heres the official turn order, by Phase and Step. With the sole exception of the main phase (as it has no sub steps) you play spells on STEPS of a turn. I.E you cannot respond to the "beginning phase" for example, its just a grouping.
Beginning Phase = Untap Step (no prio here), Upkeep Step, Draw Step | Main Phase | Combat Phase = Beginning of Combat Step -> Declare Attackers Step -> Declare Blockers Step -> Combat Damage Step -> End of Combat Step | Main Phase | Ending Phase = End Step -> Cleanup Step (no prio here, except as noted above).
BadumPsh says... Accepted answer #1
Actually, to my understanding, Upkeep is the first step in which you can cast a spell.
In your first situation, I think you were right - you can cast Fury during their draw step (post drawing a card) to keep your opponent from playing non-creature spells. See below:
504.1. First, the active player draws a card. This turn-based action doesnt use the stack.
504.2. Second, any abilities that trigger at the beginning of the draw step and any other abilities that have triggered go on the stack.
504.3. Third, the active player gets priority. Players may cast spells and activate abilities.
In the second instance, you are correct. Sorceries can only be used during the active player's main phase, and never in response to anything. The Restoration Angel can be flashed in after your opponent passes priority during their end step.
Check with somebody else, too, but I think those are the ruling that apply.
March 30, 2013 9:30 a.m.