Can You Tap a Creature Before It Attacks? A Comprehensive Guide to Tapping in Magic: The Gathering
Yes, you absolutely can tap a creature before it attacks in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), and this is a critical element to understand for strategic gameplay. However, the timing of when you can tap a creature and the effects this has are governed by specific rules and phases. It’s not as simple as just tapping whenever you like; the game structure and priority system determine when these actions are possible. This article will delve into the nuances of tapping creatures, explaining when and how you can utilize tap abilities before attacks and answering common questions that arise.
Understanding the Combat Phase and Tapping
The combat phase in MTG is segmented into distinct steps, and understanding these is crucial for timing your tap actions correctly. Here’s a breakdown:
- Beginning of Combat Step: This is the first step of the combat phase. Before any attackers are declared, both players have the opportunity to cast instants or activate abilities. This is the prime window to tap a creature you want to prevent from attacking, provided it doesn’t have summoning sickness (explained below) and that you have an ability to tap it.
- Declare Attackers Step: During this step, the active player (the player whose turn it is) declares which creatures they are attacking with. Critically, once a creature is declared as an attacker, it is too late to tap it to prevent it from attacking. The game rules are very clear on this.
- Declare Blockers Step: The defending player declares which creatures, if any, will block the attacking creatures.
- Combat Damage Step: Creatures deal combat damage to one another.
- End of Combat Step: This marks the conclusion of the combat phase.
The key takeaway here is that if you want to tap a creature to prevent it from attacking, it must be done during the beginning of combat step, before the declare attackers step. If you miss this opportunity and the attacker is declared, the creature will attack regardless of being tapped.
Tapping Creatures and Activated Abilities
Tapping isn’t just about stopping attacks; it’s also integral to activating abilities. Many creatures have abilities that require you to tap them as part of the cost. You can use these abilities at instant speed, meaning they can be used almost anytime you have priority, but there are a few important rules:
- Summoning Sickness: When a creature enters the battlefield under your control, it suffers from summoning sickness. This means that, unless the creature has haste, you cannot attack with it or use its tap ability until you have begun your next turn.
- Priority: You can use tap abilities whenever you have priority. Priority is the opportunity to act in the game, and it passes back and forth between players after each action.
- Already Tapped: You cannot tap a creature that is already tapped. If you attempt to use an ability that taps a creature that’s already tapped, the tap effect will have no effect. But other effects of the ability will resolve.
Strategic Implications of Tapping
Tapping creatures proactively at the right moment can be a game changer. Here are a few situations where tapping strategically can be beneficial:
- Preventing Aggression: Tapping an opponent’s powerful creature at the beginning of their combat phase can significantly stall their attack and give you an extra turn to stabilize.
- Utilizing Activated Abilities: Creatures with powerful tap abilities (such as drawing cards, generating mana, or dealing damage) can be employed at opportune moments, adding a layer of tactical complexity to your game plan.
- Controlling the Battlefield: Tapping creatures with abilities such as lockdown effects can slow down your opponent’s gameplan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I tap a creature at any time?
No, you cannot tap a creature at any time. You can tap a creature with an activated ability at instant speed when you have priority as long as it does not have summoning sickness. However, to prevent a creature from attacking, you must tap it in the beginning of combat step, before the declare attackers step.
When can you use a tap ability in MTG?
You can use a tap ability at instant speed, so long as the cost is paid, the creature doesn’t have summoning sickness (or has haste) and you have priority.
When you tap an attacking creature does it still attack?
Yes. Tapping or untapping a creature that’s already been declared as an attacker or blocker doesn’t remove it from combat and doesn’t prevent its combat damage.
Can you tap creatures during the declare attackers step?
No, you cannot tap creatures once the declare attackers step begins. Players cannot respond while attackers are being declared. However, you can tap creatures before attackers are declared, specifically during the beginning of combat step.
Can you tap an attacking creature to prevent damage?
No. Once a creature is declared an attacker, tapping it will not prevent it from dealing or receiving combat damage.
Does tapping an attacking creature remove it from combat?
No, it does not. Tapping or untapping a creature already declared as an attacker doesn’t remove it from combat.
Can you tap a creature while defending?
You cannot tap a creature to block. Blocking doesn’t require tapping. However, you can tap a blocking creature to activate an ability.
What are the rules for tapped creatures?
The only time a creature will enter the battlefield tapped is if the card says it will, or if another effect requires it. A creature can use tap abilities and attack if it doesn’t have summoning sickness (or it has haste) and you have priority.
When can you tap a creature ability?
To activate a creature’s tap ability, it needs to have been under your control since the beginning of your turn (i.e., not have summoning sickness anymore), unless it has haste.
Can you use a tap ability while attacking?
Yes, but you must do so before it’s declared an attacker during the beginning of the combat step. Once it’s declared as an attacker, it’s too late.
Can you tap a creature twice?
You can use tap effects multiple times in a turn, if you find a way to untap the creature. You cannot tap a creature that is already tapped.
Can I tap a creature I just summoned?
No, unless it has haste, creatures you have just played on the battlefield (that don’t have haste) cannot attack or use tap abilities until your next turn due to “summoning sickness.”
Can you tap a creature after its declared an attacker?
No, once a creature is declared as an attacker, you cannot tap it to prevent it from attacking. Tapping it after declaration will not remove it from combat.
Can you tap a creature in response to an instant?
Yes, you can activate tap abilities of a permanent in response to an instant, so long as you have priority and meet the requirements.
Can you tap a creature that’s already tapped?
No, you cannot tap a creature that is already tapped. However, you can target a tapped creature with abilities that would tap it, where the tap effect of that ability will do nothing.
Understanding the nuances of tapping creatures in MTG is crucial for developing effective strategies. Knowing when you can and cannot tap a creature is not only essential for stopping attacks but also vital for leveraging activated abilities. Mastering these rules will undoubtedly improve your gameplay and allow you to dominate the battlefield.