Can You Cast During End Step? A Comprehensive Guide to Magic: The Gathering’s End Step
Yes, you absolutely can cast spells during the end step in Magic: The Gathering! This is a crucial point in the game where players can react to actions and set up for their next turn, or disrupt their opponent’s plans. However, there are restrictions. You can generally only cast instant spells or activate abilities during the end step. Let’s dive into the nuances of this phase and clear up any confusion.
Understanding the End Step
The end step is the first step of the ending phase, marking the transition from the active player’s turn to the next player’s turn. It’s sandwiched between the main phase and the cleanup step, making it a key opportunity for last-minute plays. The process is pretty straightforward. First, abilities that trigger “at the beginning of the end step” go on the stack. After these abilities resolve, the active player gets priority, allowing them to cast spells or activate abilities. Then, priority passes back and forth between players until everyone passes in succession, at which point the game moves to the cleanup step.
What Can You Do During the End Step?
During the end step, you’re primarily limited to instants and activated abilities. This is because other spell types, like sorceries and creatures (without flash), can generally only be cast during your main phase when the stack is empty. The end step gives you one last chance to react to the board state before the turn officially changes hands.
Importance of Priority
Priority is key during the end step. The active player initially receives priority after any triggered abilities have resolved. They can then cast an instant, activate an ability, or choose to pass priority to the non-active player. This passing back and forth continues until both players pass consecutively, moving the game to the cleanup step. If you want to cast something during your opponent’s end step, you need to wait for them to pass priority to you.
Examples of Strategic End Step Plays
The end step presents strategic opportunities:
- Removing a threat: Your opponent attacks with a creature, and you want to eliminate it before they untap it next turn. Casting an instant-speed removal spell during their end step prevents them from using it defensively on their turn.
- Drawing cards: Use an instant-speed draw spell to refill your hand before the start of your turn, giving you more options.
- Activating abilities for value: Many cards have activated abilities that can be used during the end step to generate value or disrupt your opponent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I cast a sorcery during the end step?
No, generally you cannot cast a sorcery during the end step. Sorceries can only be cast during your main phase when the stack is empty. However, there are exceptions. If you have an effect that allows you to cast sorceries as though they were instants, such as the Vedalken Orrery or Leyline of Anticipation, then you can cast a sorcery during the end step.
2. Can I play a land during the end step?
No, you cannot play a land during the end step. You are only permitted to play a land during your main phase. Rule 116.2a specifically restricts land plays to your main phase, among other constraints.
3. Do players get priority during the end step?
Yes, players do get priority during the end step. The active player initially gets priority after any “at the beginning of the end step” triggers have resolved. Priority then passes back and forth between players, allowing them to cast instants or activate abilities.
4. Can I cast a creature spell during the end step?
Usually no. Creature spells can typically only be cast during your main phase when the stack is empty. The only exception is if the creature card has flash, which allows you to cast it any time you could cast an instant.
5. What happens if an ability triggers during the end step?
If an ability triggers “at the beginning of the end step,” it goes on the stack. Players then get priority to respond to that ability before it resolves. This means you can cast instants or activate abilities in response to triggered abilities during the end step.
6. Can I respond to a spell cast during the end step?
Yes, you can respond to a spell cast during the end step. As with any other spell, it goes on the stack, and players get priority to respond to it with instants or activated abilities. This is a fundamental part of Magic’s gameplay.
7. What happens after the end step?
After the end step, the game proceeds to the cleanup step. During the cleanup step, players discard down to their maximum hand size (usually seven cards), damage marked on creatures is removed, and “until end of turn” effects expire. Players usually do not receive priority during the cleanup step unless a triggered ability occurs.
8. Can I skip my end step?
You cannot intentionally skip your end step. It is a required part of the turn sequence. The game automatically moves to the end step after your main phase.
9. What does “passing priority” mean?
Passing priority means that you are choosing not to take any actions (casting a spell or activating an ability) at that moment. You are giving the other player the opportunity to respond or take action before the current spell or ability on the stack resolves, or before the phase changes.
10. If my opponent says “go” am I allowed to cast a spell during the end step?
Yes. When your opponent says “go,” they are effectively passing priority to you during their end step. This gives you an opportunity to cast instants or activate abilities before the game proceeds to the cleanup step and then to your turn.
11. Can I activate abilities during the end step?
Yes, you can activate abilities during the end step, assuming you have priority. This includes activated abilities on permanents you control. As with instants, this is a crucial opportunity to use your resources before the turn passes.
12. What if both players pass priority during the end step?
If both players pass priority in succession during the end step, the game proceeds to the cleanup step. No further actions can be taken during that turn, except in rare cases where a triggered ability occurs during the cleanup step itself.
13. What’s the difference between the end step and the cleanup step?
The end step is where players have the last opportunity to cast instants and activate abilities before the turn changes. The cleanup step is where the game performs maintenance tasks: discarding down to hand size, removing damage, and expiring “until end of turn” effects. Players generally do not receive priority during the cleanup step unless a triggered ability occurs.
14. Can I cast a spell “at end of turn”?
When a card refers to casting a spell “at the end of the turn,” it generally means during the end step. Since you can only cast instants during this step, the ability effectively allows you to use an instant before the turn concludes and the cleanup step begins.
15. Why is the end step strategically important?
The end step is strategically important because it provides a final opportunity to react to the board state, disrupt your opponent’s plans, or set up for your own turn. It allows you to maximize your resources and make informed decisions before the game proceeds to the next turn. Often, playing spells during the end step allows you to keep your mana open during your main phase for other possibilities.
Conclusion
The end step is a critical phase in Magic: The Gathering, offering strategic opportunities for players to deploy instants and activated abilities. Understanding the rules and nuances of this phase is essential for mastering the game. By understanding the end step and when priority is exchanged, you can increase your chances of success in any MTG game. For more in-depth analysis and resources on game-based learning, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.