{"id":145795,"date":"2026-03-02T03:07:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T03:07:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=145795"},"modified":"2026-03-02T03:07:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T03:07:48","slug":"does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/","title":{"rendered":"Does declaring blockers use the stack?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#Does_Declaring_Blockers_Use_the_Stack_Understanding_Combat_in_Magic_The_Gathering\" title=\"Does Declaring Blockers Use the Stack? Understanding Combat in Magic: The Gathering\">Does Declaring Blockers Use the Stack? Understanding Combat in Magic: The Gathering<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Declaring_Blockers\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions About Declaring Blockers\">Frequently Asked Questions About Declaring Blockers<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#1_Can_I_Respond_to_Declaring_Blockers\" title=\"1. Can I Respond to Declaring Blockers?\">1. Can I Respond to Declaring Blockers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#2_Can_I_Declare_a_Blocker_Then_Tap_It\" title=\"2. Can I Declare a Blocker, Then Tap It?\">2. Can I Declare a Blocker, Then Tap It?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#3_Who_Decides_the_Order_of_Blockers\" title=\"3. Who Decides the Order of Blockers?\">3. Who Decides the Order of Blockers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#4_How_Many_Blockers_Can_I_Declare\" title=\"4. How Many Blockers Can I Declare?\">4. How Many Blockers Can I Declare?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#5_What_Happens_If_a_Blocking_Creature_Is_Removed_from_Combat\" title=\"5. What Happens If a Blocking Creature Is Removed from Combat?\">5. What Happens If a Blocking Creature Is Removed from Combat?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#6_Who_Has_Priority_During_the_Declare_Blockers_Step\" title=\"6. Who Has Priority During the Declare Blockers Step?\">6. Who Has Priority During the Declare Blockers Step?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#7_What_Are_the_Basic_Rules_for_Blocking\" title=\"7. What Are the Basic Rules for Blocking?\">7. What Are the Basic Rules for Blocking?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#8_Does_Deathtouch_Cancel_Deathtouch\" title=\"8. Does Deathtouch Cancel Deathtouch?\">8. Does Deathtouch Cancel Deathtouch?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#9_Can_Two_Creatures_Block_One_Attacker\" title=\"9. Can Two Creatures Block One Attacker?\">9. Can Two Creatures Block One Attacker?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#10_Can_You_Declare_Blockers_for_Planeswalkers\" title=\"10. Can You Declare Blockers for Planeswalkers?\">10. Can You Declare Blockers for Planeswalkers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#11_Can_I_Use_an_Activated_Ability_After_Blockers_Are_Declared\" title=\"11. Can I Use an Activated Ability After Blockers Are Declared?\">11. Can I Use an Activated Ability After Blockers Are Declared?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#12_What_Actions_Dont_Use_the_Stack\" title=\"12. What Actions Don&#8217;t Use the Stack?\">12. What Actions Don&#8217;t Use the Stack?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#13_Does_Tapping_a_Land_Pass_Priority\" title=\"13. Does Tapping a Land Pass Priority?\">13. Does Tapping a Land Pass Priority?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#14_Can_You_Cast_Spells_During_the_Declare_Blockers_Step\" title=\"14. Can You Cast Spells During the Declare Blockers Step?\">14. Can You Cast Spells During the Declare Blockers Step?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/#15_Does_Deathtouch_Work_When_Blocking\" title=\"15. Does Deathtouch Work When Blocking?\">15. Does Deathtouch Work When Blocking?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Declaring_Blockers_Use_the_Stack_Understanding_Combat_in_Magic_The_Gathering\"><\/span>Does Declaring Blockers Use the Stack? Understanding Combat in Magic: The Gathering<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>No, <strong>declaring blockers does not use the stack<\/strong> in Magic: The Gathering. This is a crucial point to understand for effective gameplay. The declaration of blockers is a turn-based action that happens during the Declare Blockers step of the combat phase, and it doesn&#8217;t allow for any player to respond with instants or abilities <strong>in response<\/strong> to the declaration itself. The last chance you have to affect whether a creature can be declared as blocking is in the Declare Attackers step. Once the Declare Blockers step begins, the defending player declares their blockers, and your creatures become either blocked or unblocked.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Declaring_Blockers\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions About Declaring Blockers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let&#8217;s dive deeper into the intricacies of the Declare Blockers step with some frequently asked questions:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Can_I_Respond_to_Declaring_Blockers\"><\/span>1. Can I Respond to Declaring Blockers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Absolutely not. As emphasized earlier, there is <strong>no responding<\/strong> to the actual declaration of blockers. The Declare Blockers step is a specific moment where the defending player makes their choices. The time to act is <em>before<\/em> this step, during the Declare Attackers step. Once blockers are declared, it&#8217;s too late to prevent them from blocking.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Can_I_Declare_a_Blocker_Then_Tap_It\"><\/span>2. Can I Declare a Blocker, Then Tap It?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can declare a creature as a blocker and then tap it for an ability before damage is dealt. A classic example is <strong>Razia, Boros Archangel<\/strong>. You can declare it as a blocker and then tap it to activate its ability. A tapped blocker still blocks, and it will still deal damage, unless the tap effect removes it from combat. <strong>Tapped blockers still deal damage as normal.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Who_Decides_the_Order_of_Blockers\"><\/span>3. Who Decides the Order of Blockers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>attacking player<\/strong> determines the order in which damage is assigned to the blocking creatures. Once an attacking creature is blocked by multiple creatures, the attacker chooses the order in which the blockers will receive damage (509.2a). They must assign lethal damage to the first blocker in the order before assigning any damage to the next blocker. This is a crucial decision that can significantly impact combat.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_How_Many_Blockers_Can_I_Declare\"><\/span>4. How Many Blockers Can I Declare?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can declare <strong>multiple creatures<\/strong> to block a single attacker, provided each of those creatures is an eligible blocker (i.e., untapped, controlled by you, etc.). The attacking player will then decide the damage assignment order for those blockers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_What_Happens_If_a_Blocking_Creature_Is_Removed_from_Combat\"><\/span>5. What Happens If a Blocking Creature Is Removed from Combat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If a blocking creature is removed from combat after being declared as a blocker (for example, through a spell like <strong>Unsummon<\/strong>), the attacking creature remains blocked. However, the removed creature will no longer be part of the damage assignment order. The attacking creature remains blocked, which means it will deal no combat damage to the defending player.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Who_Has_Priority_During_the_Declare_Blockers_Step\"><\/span>6. Who Has Priority During the Declare Blockers Step?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After blockers are declared, the <strong>active player (the attacker)<\/strong> receives priority. The attacking player can then cast instants or activate abilities before the game proceeds to the combat damage step. This is a critical opportunity to pump your creatures, remove blockers, or otherwise influence the outcome of combat.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_What_Are_the_Basic_Rules_for_Blocking\"><\/span>7. What Are the Basic Rules for Blocking?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A creature must be <strong>untapped<\/strong> to block, except under certain circumstances which may allow you to block even while tapped if specified by a card&#8217;s ability.<\/li>\n<li>Each creature can only block a <strong>single attacker<\/strong>, unless a card effect says otherwise.<\/li>\n<li>Multiple creatures can block the <strong>same attacker<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Both players have an opportunity to cast instants and activate abilities after blockers are declared but before damage is dealt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Does_Deathtouch_Cancel_Deathtouch\"><\/span>8. Does Deathtouch Cancel Deathtouch?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>Deathtouch does not cancel Deathtouch<\/strong>. If two creatures with Deathtouch block each other, they will both deal damage. Since any amount of damage dealt by a creature with Deathtouch is considered lethal, both creatures will be destroyed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Can_Two_Creatures_Block_One_Attacker\"><\/span>9. Can Two Creatures Block One Attacker?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>multiple creatures can block a single attacker<\/strong>. The attacking player then decides the order in which the blocking creatures receive damage. This is a common strategy to protect valuable creatures or planeswalkers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Can_You_Declare_Blockers_for_Planeswalkers\"><\/span>10. Can You Declare Blockers for Planeswalkers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>you cannot declare blockers for Planeswalkers directly<\/strong>. Blockers can only be declared to block attacking creatures. However, creatures attacking a Planeswalker must still be blocked as normal, if you wish to block them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Can_I_Use_an_Activated_Ability_After_Blockers_Are_Declared\"><\/span>11. Can I Use an Activated Ability After Blockers Are Declared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can use activated abilities after blockers have been declared, but <strong>before damage is dealt.<\/strong> This is a crucial point in the combat phase where you can use abilities to buff your creatures, remove blockers, or otherwise influence the combat outcome.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_What_Actions_Dont_Use_the_Stack\"><\/span>12. What Actions Don&#8217;t Use the Stack?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Several actions in Magic don&#8217;t use the stack. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Paying costs:<\/strong> Paying mana or other costs to cast a spell or activate an ability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Playing mana abilities:<\/strong> Activating abilities that produce mana.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Turning a face-down creature face up with Morph:<\/strong> This is a special action that doesn\u2019t use the stack.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Declaring Attackers or Blockers:<\/strong> This is a turn-based action, that doesn&#8217;t use the stack.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Actions that don&#8217;t use the stack cannot be responded to.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Does_Tapping_a_Land_Pass_Priority\"><\/span>13. Does Tapping a Land Pass Priority?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Tapping a land for mana is a <strong>mana ability<\/strong>, and it does not use the stack. However, using that mana to cast a spell or activate another ability will then use the stack, and that will force another round of priority.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Can_You_Cast_Spells_During_the_Declare_Blockers_Step\"><\/span>14. Can You Cast Spells During the Declare Blockers Step?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can cast <strong>instant spells<\/strong> any time you have priority, including after attackers are declared and before blockers are declared, as well as after blockers are declared and before combat damage is dealt. Understanding when you have priority is essential for strategic play.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Does_Deathtouch_Work_When_Blocking\"><\/span>15. Does Deathtouch Work When Blocking?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>Deathtouch works when blocking<\/strong>. If a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to another creature during combat, even when blocking, the other creature is destroyed. Deathtouch is effective whenever the creature deals damage, whether it&#8217;s attacking, blocking, or fighting.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding these rules and interactions can significantly enhance your strategic decision-making in Magic: The Gathering. The nuances of the combat phase, especially the Declare Blockers step, offer numerous opportunities for outplaying your opponent. For further insights and community discussions, be sure to visit the <strong>Games Learning Society<\/strong> at <strong>https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/<\/strong>. By exploring resources like <strong>GamesLearningSociety.org<\/strong>, you can deepen your understanding of the complex strategies that make Magic: The Gathering such a compelling game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does Declaring Blockers Use the Stack? Understanding Combat in Magic: The Gathering No, declaring blockers does not use the stack in Magic: The Gathering. This is a crucial point to understand for effective gameplay. The declaration of blockers is a turn-based action that happens during the Declare Blockers step of the combat phase, and it &#8230; <a title=\"Does declaring blockers use the stack?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/does-declaring-blockers-use-the-stack\/\" aria-label=\"More on Does declaring blockers use the stack?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-145795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145795\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=145795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=145795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}