Can You Tap a Tapped Creature in Magic: The Gathering?
Yes, you absolutely can target a tapped creature with an ability that would tap it. However, the act of tapping it again will have no immediate effect. A card that is already tapped cannot be tapped again. Think of it like trying to turn a light switch “on” when it’s already in the “on” position – nothing changes with the switch itself. While the tapping action itself won’t do anything, other parts of the ability will still take effect. This is a crucial distinction and is often the source of confusion for new and experienced Magic: The Gathering (MTG) players alike.
Many abilities in Magic have multiple effects. For instance, an ability might say “Tap target permanent and it doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.” If you target a creature with that ability that’s already tapped, the tap portion does nothing, but the second effect will still take hold, preventing the creature from untapping on its owner’s next turn. It is important to focus on what the ability text actually does, not necessarily what you think it is doing. This can be the difference between a well-played combo, or a play that doesn’t work out as hoped.
Understanding Tapping in MTG
To understand why a tapped creature can still be the target of a tap ability, we need to clarify the basic concept of tapping in Magic. When you tap a card, you physically rotate it 90 degrees to the side, signifying that it has been “used” or is “exhausted.” This action is most commonly associated with:
- Using lands to generate mana.
- Attacking with creatures.
- Activating abilities that require the tap symbol ( ).
Once a card is tapped, it cannot be tapped again. So, when an ability attempts to tap it, it simply fails to execute the tap action. That is, the act of tapping will have no effect, since it is already tapped. However, if the spell or ability also says it will prevent the target from untapping, then that portion of the effect still works.
Key Takeaways
- You can target a tapped permanent with a “tap” effect.
- The “tap” action won’t do anything if the target is already tapped.
- Other parts of the effect still apply, such as preventing untapping.
- Focus on reading the entire ability, not just the tap portion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use an ability that taps a creature to prevent it from untapping even if it is already tapped?
Yes. The untapping prevention effect still occurs, even if the creature is already tapped. This is a common and powerful strategy that uses “tap” abilities to lock down opponent’s cards and prevent future plays.
2. Can I tap a land that’s already tapped?
You cannot tap a tapped land. If an ability attempts to do this, it won’t change the state of the land, but other parts of the ability will still take place. For example, you could use the card Twiddle to attempt to tap an already-tapped land and the effect would do nothing.
3. What happens if I try to tap a creature with an ability that says “Tap target creature”?
If the target is already tapped, the tap portion of the ability will do nothing. However, any other effects of the ability will still apply, such as a bonus or hindering effect.
4. Does the order of a tap ability matter?
Yes. When an ability says, for example, “Tap target creature and it doesn’t untap during its controller’s next untap step,” the tap attempt is resolved first and then the prevention of untapping. This order makes the effect function as described.
5. Can tapped creatures attack?
No. Attacking is what causes a creature to tap. So, if a creature is tapped, it is not able to attack. It is already “spent” for that turn in many respects.
6. Can I crew a vehicle with a tapped creature?
No. To crew a vehicle, you must tap untapped creatures with the total power required. If a creature is already tapped, it can’t be tapped again for this purpose.
7. Can I use a tap ability of a creature that has “summoning sickness”?
No. Summoning sickness prevents a creature from both attacking and using any abilities that have a tap symbol ( ) as part of their cost.
8. What if an effect says “Tap all creatures”?
An effect like this will attempt to tap all creatures, even if they’re already tapped. However, if a creature is already tapped, nothing changes.
9. If I transform a tapped creature, will it be untapped?
No. Transforming a permanent doesn’t change its tap status. If a creature is tapped and transforms, it will still be tapped as the result of transformation.
10. If a creature attacks, is it tapping as part of the attack cost?
No. Attacking causes a creature to become tapped, it is a function of attacking not a cost of attacking. It is not a cost of an ability.
11. Can I respond to a land being tapped for mana?
No. Mana abilities do not use the stack and cannot be responded to. This means you cannot interrupt the process of tapping a land for mana using spells or abilities.
12. If I copy a tapped creature, is the copy also tapped?
No. A copied creature does not copy its tapped or untapped status. A copy effect will create a duplicate but not duplicate its current state.
13. Can a tapped creature have deathtouch?
Yes. Deathtouch doesn’t prevent a creature from attacking or being tapped. If a tapped creature has deathtouch, it doesn’t benefit from it, but other effects that give deathtouch to other creatures you control can sometimes give you an advantage.
14. If I have an ability that makes other tapped creatures I control have deathtouch, is this useful?
Yes, this is very useful. If your opponent attacks you with a large creature, you can block with a weaker creature that has deathtouch. Because it has deathtouch, the larger creature that attacked will also be killed by the blocking creature.
15. How many times can I tap in MTG?
There are no limits on how many times an object can be tapped in a turn. You could tap a land for mana, tap a creature to attack, tap it with an ability, and tap it again with another ability, although this second tapping does nothing.
Conclusion
While the idea of tapping a tapped creature might seem pointless at first, the intricacies of MTG often lead to more than what is immediately obvious. The ability to target a tapped creature with a tap effect, and still have parts of that effect resolve, adds an extra layer of depth to the game. Understanding these nuanced interactions is crucial to building effective strategies and understanding more complicated interactions and is the mark of a well-rounded Magic player.