The End Phase of a turn is divided into two steps. The second step is called the Cleanup step. In this step, players do not normally receive priority, and some actions are performed and effects end before the next turn begins. In the cleanup step, after the active player discards down to his or her […]
Frightful Delusion causes a card to be discarded even if 1 is paid.
has two distinct effects when it resolves. When it is cast, it must target a spell. When Frightful Delusion resolves, the controller of the targeted spell can pay one mana. If he or she does not, then that spell is countered. Then the controller of that spell will discard a card. This happens even if […]
Rot Wolf and Abattoir Ghoul do not have delayed triggered abilities.
Both and have triggered abilities that trigger when a creature that has been dealt damage by them goes to the graveyard. These abilities are ‘normal’ triggered abilities that will trigger when the trigger condition occurs, but only if these creatures are in play when it happens. These abilities are not delayed triggered abilities that wait […]
Changes to Organized Play
Last week, we focused on some changes to tournament rules that will be officially implemented soon. However, that is not the only thing that has changed in Magic organized play in the last few weeks. The structure of high-level play, the Planeswalker Points system, and how invites to Pro Tours and byes at Grands Prix […]
Angelic Destiny’s ability only triggers when the enchanted creature dies.
The aura has a triggered ability that causes Angelic Destiny to be returned to your hand when the enchanted creature dies. A creature ‘dies’ when it goes from the battlefield to a graveyard. If a creature is returned to a player’s hand from the battlefield, it has not died. This is true when a creature […]
All costs are paid when the spell is cast.
When casting a spell or playing an ability all costs associated with playing it are paid at that time. When you announce a spell or ability, you announce it, make all necessary choices associated with the playing the spell and then pay all costs. This means that when you play , you must exile cards […]
Mana empties at the end of every step and phase.
Prior to the Magic 2010 release, mana that was unspent at the end of a phase caused ‘mana burn,’ meaning that you would lose one life for each unspent mana in your mana pool. While it no longer causes mana burn, mana is still emptied from your pool. In fact, it now empties at the […]
Mirror-mad Phantasm refers to itself and cards with its name.
When a card refers to itself by name, it really means ‘this object.’ For example, ‘s ability gives +2/+2 to itself. There are some situations where this distinction matters. For example, if were to copy this Darkthicket Wolf, the ability on Sakashima would effectively read ‘2G: ~This~ gets +2/+2 until the the end of turn.’ […]
How Flashback and Zeniths interact
When one of the Zenith spells (e.g., or ) from Mirrodin Besieged resolves, it is shuffled into its owner’s library instead of going to the graveyard. While there aren’t many, there are a few ways to give spells Flashback. and are recent examples of cards with effects that grant Flashback to other cards. When a […]