What is it to receive priority? Well, since Magic is indeed a turn-based game, no two players can act simultaneously. Whenever a player wants to act, they need to have “priority”.

Priority passes between players during each phase. In order for the game to proceed onto the next step or phase, both players need to pass priority in succession without taking an action and with the stack empty. Both players need to motion that they are not doing anything in that step or phase back to back.

So for example, during Amy’s end step, she says go, hoping to go to Parker’s turn. Parker decides to flash in a Horizon Chimera when he receives priority for that step. Since Parker has taken an action during this step, that means both players have not passed priority on an empty stack back to back without taking an action, therefore the end step has not ended. After the Chimera resolves, Amy would then gain priority again, getting the chance to cast, say… a Lightning Strike targeting the Chimera.

Today’s Rules Tip written by Eddie Cheung