Can you play instants during upkeep?
The answer to the question Can you play instants during upkeep? is yes, as during the upkeep step, players can cast instants and activate abilities, making it a crucial part of the turn where strategic decisions can significantly impact the game’s outcome. This ability to play instants during upkeep provides players with flexibility and opportunities to influence the game’s direction, especially when combined with other abilities or spells.
Understanding Upkeep and Instants
Upkeep Step Basics
The upkeep step is a critical phase at the beginning of a player’s turn, allowing for the casting of instants and the activation of abilities. It’s essential to grasp that instants can be played at any time a player has priority, including during the upkeep step, but other types of spells, like sorceries, cannot be cast during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you play instants on your upkeep?
Yes, players can cast instants and activate abilities during their upkeep. - Can you play instants between untap and upkeep?
No, because no one has priority between these steps, preventing the casting of instants or activation of abilities. - Can instants be played whenever?
Instants have no timing restrictions and can be played at any time a player has priority. - Can you cast an instant on an opponent’s upkeep?
Yes, you can cast an instant in response to a triggered ability on your opponent’s upkeep. - Can you flash in during upkeep?
No, to avoid rules issues, creatures cannot be cast with flash during upkeep to activate abilities at the beginning of the turn. - Can I cast instants during my end step?
Yes, the end step is another time when players can cast instants, affecting the game before the next turn begins. - Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch?
When two creatures with Deathtouch interact, their Deathtouch abilities effectively cancel each other out. - Can you cast instants without priority?
No, a player must have priority to cast instants or activate abilities. - Can you play an instant in response to your own instant?
Yes, by holding priority, you can cast another instant in response to the first one. - Can you play two instants in Magic?
As long as you hold priority, you can play multiple instants, with their effects resolving in last in, first out order. - Can you respond to playing a land?
No, playing a land is a special action that doesn’t use the stack, so players cannot respond with instants or activated abilities. - Do things phase in untapped?
Phased-out permanents phase in during the untap step, usually untapping afterward, but this can vary based on the card’s effects. - Is an upkeep trigger a triggered ability?
Yes, upkeep triggers are a type of triggered ability that goes on the stack at the beginning of the upkeep. - Can you counter cumulative upkeep?
The decision to pay cumulative upkeep is made when the ability resolves, and not paying it results in the permanent being sacrificed after it receives an age counter. - Can you play instants after declaring blockers?
Yes, after blockers are declared and before the damage step, players can cast instants, allowing for last-minute strategic moves.
Conclusion
Understanding the rules surrounding instants and the upkeep step in Magic: The Gathering is crucial for strategic gameplay. The ability to cast instants during upkeep opens up a variety of strategic possibilities, from disrupting opponents to setting up for the turn ahead. By mastering the intricacies of instants and upkeep, players can significantly enhance their gameplay experience and competitive edge.