Can you give an example why the active player wants to have priority in Beginning of Combat first?












3















I've read this article published on blogs.magicjudges.org explaining the combat shortcut which is about (contrary to the normal proceeding) the Not Active Player (NAP) receiving priority prior to the Active Player (AP) in the Beginning of Combat step (BoC).



This is also stated in the Magic Tournament Rules:




If the active player passes priority with an empty stack during their
first main phase, the non-activeplayer is assumed to be acting in
beginning of combat unless they are affecting whether a beginning of
combat ability triggers.Then, after those actions resolve or no
actions took place, the active player receives priority at the
beginning of combat.




At the end of the article the author mentions that normally this is not a problem since most of the time the AP does not want to act first anyway. However, one scenario in which the AP wants to be the first one to receive priorioty in the BoC step is mentioned:




AP Acting First in Combat



The new structure makes it look like the active player can’t be the
first person to act in the beginning of combat step. That’s not true,
but it does reflect the fact that the active player needing to act
first is unlikely. The only scenario I’m aware of is holding a split
second spell while your opponent is floating mana, which is not
something that’s going to come up every day! In that situation, the
protocol is the same as ever – you ask your opponent if they want to
do something with that mana in the main phase. If they do, you’re
still in main phase, since they used mana they couldn’t use in
beginning of combat, nullifying the default.



Otherwise, there is a way to do it, but it does give the opponent some
information. While in your main phase, simply say “I do this thing in
Beginning of Combat”. Done! Of course, the non-active player has the
ability to interrupt and do something in your main phase. That’s not
really any different than it was under the previous shortcut.




However, I can't reconstruct an example for such a scenario from the information given in these two paragraphs. The following information is given as stated in the paragraphs:




  • NAP has mana floating in the first main phase

  • AP has a split second spell


Question: Can you give an example for this scenario in which in order to reach his or hear goal, AP needs to be the first one to to receive priority in BoC to then cast the split second spell?



To illustrate the difficulties I have with this, here is an example which doesn't work:




  • AP is in his main phase, controls a Grizzly Bears enchanted with a Rancor. He has a Sudden Spoiling in his hand and enough mana to cast it.

  • NAP has 2 life, controls an Endbringer and has one mana floating.

  • AP wants to have priority in BoC to then cast Sudden Spoiling. He does not want to cast Sudden Spoiling in the main phase because NAP has floating mana he or she can use to respond. If everything goes well, AP then can attack with his bear (4/2, trample) and win the game (NAP now has a 0/2 creature).


This example doesn't work because of several aspects:




  • Why does AP need to have priority in BoC to cast Sudden Spoiling before NAP receives priority? Why does AP not let NAP have priority first in BoC, NAP then passes priority, then AP uses his priority to cast Sudden Spoiling?

  • Why doesn't AP cast Sudden Spoiling in his main phase? Sure, NAP has mana floating, but he can't use it to activate Endbringer's cant-attack-ability in response anyway because Sudden Spoiling has split second.










share|improve this question









New contributor




efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

























    3















    I've read this article published on blogs.magicjudges.org explaining the combat shortcut which is about (contrary to the normal proceeding) the Not Active Player (NAP) receiving priority prior to the Active Player (AP) in the Beginning of Combat step (BoC).



    This is also stated in the Magic Tournament Rules:




    If the active player passes priority with an empty stack during their
    first main phase, the non-activeplayer is assumed to be acting in
    beginning of combat unless they are affecting whether a beginning of
    combat ability triggers.Then, after those actions resolve or no
    actions took place, the active player receives priority at the
    beginning of combat.




    At the end of the article the author mentions that normally this is not a problem since most of the time the AP does not want to act first anyway. However, one scenario in which the AP wants to be the first one to receive priorioty in the BoC step is mentioned:




    AP Acting First in Combat



    The new structure makes it look like the active player can’t be the
    first person to act in the beginning of combat step. That’s not true,
    but it does reflect the fact that the active player needing to act
    first is unlikely. The only scenario I’m aware of is holding a split
    second spell while your opponent is floating mana, which is not
    something that’s going to come up every day! In that situation, the
    protocol is the same as ever – you ask your opponent if they want to
    do something with that mana in the main phase. If they do, you’re
    still in main phase, since they used mana they couldn’t use in
    beginning of combat, nullifying the default.



    Otherwise, there is a way to do it, but it does give the opponent some
    information. While in your main phase, simply say “I do this thing in
    Beginning of Combat”. Done! Of course, the non-active player has the
    ability to interrupt and do something in your main phase. That’s not
    really any different than it was under the previous shortcut.




    However, I can't reconstruct an example for such a scenario from the information given in these two paragraphs. The following information is given as stated in the paragraphs:




    • NAP has mana floating in the first main phase

    • AP has a split second spell


    Question: Can you give an example for this scenario in which in order to reach his or hear goal, AP needs to be the first one to to receive priority in BoC to then cast the split second spell?



    To illustrate the difficulties I have with this, here is an example which doesn't work:




    • AP is in his main phase, controls a Grizzly Bears enchanted with a Rancor. He has a Sudden Spoiling in his hand and enough mana to cast it.

    • NAP has 2 life, controls an Endbringer and has one mana floating.

    • AP wants to have priority in BoC to then cast Sudden Spoiling. He does not want to cast Sudden Spoiling in the main phase because NAP has floating mana he or she can use to respond. If everything goes well, AP then can attack with his bear (4/2, trample) and win the game (NAP now has a 0/2 creature).


    This example doesn't work because of several aspects:




    • Why does AP need to have priority in BoC to cast Sudden Spoiling before NAP receives priority? Why does AP not let NAP have priority first in BoC, NAP then passes priority, then AP uses his priority to cast Sudden Spoiling?

    • Why doesn't AP cast Sudden Spoiling in his main phase? Sure, NAP has mana floating, but he can't use it to activate Endbringer's cant-attack-ability in response anyway because Sudden Spoiling has split second.










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      3












      3








      3








      I've read this article published on blogs.magicjudges.org explaining the combat shortcut which is about (contrary to the normal proceeding) the Not Active Player (NAP) receiving priority prior to the Active Player (AP) in the Beginning of Combat step (BoC).



      This is also stated in the Magic Tournament Rules:




      If the active player passes priority with an empty stack during their
      first main phase, the non-activeplayer is assumed to be acting in
      beginning of combat unless they are affecting whether a beginning of
      combat ability triggers.Then, after those actions resolve or no
      actions took place, the active player receives priority at the
      beginning of combat.




      At the end of the article the author mentions that normally this is not a problem since most of the time the AP does not want to act first anyway. However, one scenario in which the AP wants to be the first one to receive priorioty in the BoC step is mentioned:




      AP Acting First in Combat



      The new structure makes it look like the active player can’t be the
      first person to act in the beginning of combat step. That’s not true,
      but it does reflect the fact that the active player needing to act
      first is unlikely. The only scenario I’m aware of is holding a split
      second spell while your opponent is floating mana, which is not
      something that’s going to come up every day! In that situation, the
      protocol is the same as ever – you ask your opponent if they want to
      do something with that mana in the main phase. If they do, you’re
      still in main phase, since they used mana they couldn’t use in
      beginning of combat, nullifying the default.



      Otherwise, there is a way to do it, but it does give the opponent some
      information. While in your main phase, simply say “I do this thing in
      Beginning of Combat”. Done! Of course, the non-active player has the
      ability to interrupt and do something in your main phase. That’s not
      really any different than it was under the previous shortcut.




      However, I can't reconstruct an example for such a scenario from the information given in these two paragraphs. The following information is given as stated in the paragraphs:




      • NAP has mana floating in the first main phase

      • AP has a split second spell


      Question: Can you give an example for this scenario in which in order to reach his or hear goal, AP needs to be the first one to to receive priority in BoC to then cast the split second spell?



      To illustrate the difficulties I have with this, here is an example which doesn't work:




      • AP is in his main phase, controls a Grizzly Bears enchanted with a Rancor. He has a Sudden Spoiling in his hand and enough mana to cast it.

      • NAP has 2 life, controls an Endbringer and has one mana floating.

      • AP wants to have priority in BoC to then cast Sudden Spoiling. He does not want to cast Sudden Spoiling in the main phase because NAP has floating mana he or she can use to respond. If everything goes well, AP then can attack with his bear (4/2, trample) and win the game (NAP now has a 0/2 creature).


      This example doesn't work because of several aspects:




      • Why does AP need to have priority in BoC to cast Sudden Spoiling before NAP receives priority? Why does AP not let NAP have priority first in BoC, NAP then passes priority, then AP uses his priority to cast Sudden Spoiling?

      • Why doesn't AP cast Sudden Spoiling in his main phase? Sure, NAP has mana floating, but he can't use it to activate Endbringer's cant-attack-ability in response anyway because Sudden Spoiling has split second.










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      I've read this article published on blogs.magicjudges.org explaining the combat shortcut which is about (contrary to the normal proceeding) the Not Active Player (NAP) receiving priority prior to the Active Player (AP) in the Beginning of Combat step (BoC).



      This is also stated in the Magic Tournament Rules:




      If the active player passes priority with an empty stack during their
      first main phase, the non-activeplayer is assumed to be acting in
      beginning of combat unless they are affecting whether a beginning of
      combat ability triggers.Then, after those actions resolve or no
      actions took place, the active player receives priority at the
      beginning of combat.




      At the end of the article the author mentions that normally this is not a problem since most of the time the AP does not want to act first anyway. However, one scenario in which the AP wants to be the first one to receive priorioty in the BoC step is mentioned:




      AP Acting First in Combat



      The new structure makes it look like the active player can’t be the
      first person to act in the beginning of combat step. That’s not true,
      but it does reflect the fact that the active player needing to act
      first is unlikely. The only scenario I’m aware of is holding a split
      second spell while your opponent is floating mana, which is not
      something that’s going to come up every day! In that situation, the
      protocol is the same as ever – you ask your opponent if they want to
      do something with that mana in the main phase. If they do, you’re
      still in main phase, since they used mana they couldn’t use in
      beginning of combat, nullifying the default.



      Otherwise, there is a way to do it, but it does give the opponent some
      information. While in your main phase, simply say “I do this thing in
      Beginning of Combat”. Done! Of course, the non-active player has the
      ability to interrupt and do something in your main phase. That’s not
      really any different than it was under the previous shortcut.




      However, I can't reconstruct an example for such a scenario from the information given in these two paragraphs. The following information is given as stated in the paragraphs:




      • NAP has mana floating in the first main phase

      • AP has a split second spell


      Question: Can you give an example for this scenario in which in order to reach his or hear goal, AP needs to be the first one to to receive priority in BoC to then cast the split second spell?



      To illustrate the difficulties I have with this, here is an example which doesn't work:




      • AP is in his main phase, controls a Grizzly Bears enchanted with a Rancor. He has a Sudden Spoiling in his hand and enough mana to cast it.

      • NAP has 2 life, controls an Endbringer and has one mana floating.

      • AP wants to have priority in BoC to then cast Sudden Spoiling. He does not want to cast Sudden Spoiling in the main phase because NAP has floating mana he or she can use to respond. If everything goes well, AP then can attack with his bear (4/2, trample) and win the game (NAP now has a 0/2 creature).


      This example doesn't work because of several aspects:




      • Why does AP need to have priority in BoC to cast Sudden Spoiling before NAP receives priority? Why does AP not let NAP have priority first in BoC, NAP then passes priority, then AP uses his priority to cast Sudden Spoiling?

      • Why doesn't AP cast Sudden Spoiling in his main phase? Sure, NAP has mana floating, but he can't use it to activate Endbringer's cant-attack-ability in response anyway because Sudden Spoiling has split second.







      magic-the-gathering priority






      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 2 hours ago







      efie













      New contributor




      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      asked 3 hours ago









      efieefie

      1162




      1162




      New contributor




      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.





      New contributor





      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






      efie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          1














          It's contrived, but....



          You have an Electrostatic Field on the battlefield. Maybe even you and your opponent both do, and you are both at one life.



          You also have an Anointed Deacon on the battlefield (or any permanent with a "beginning of combat" triggered ability).



          You and your opponent both have a Trickbind in hand. Whoever gets priority first can cast Trickbind, which will trigger Electrostatic Field's triggered ability. That will resolve before Trickbind, winning the game for the player who cast Trickbind.



          Whichever player gets priority first in the beginning of combat step wins the game. No floating mana involved.



          *You no one can cast Trickbind during the main phase because there is no ability on the stack to target.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

            – murgatroid99
            1 hour ago



















          1














          I think the two different pieces here are in some sense independent. The opponent's floating mana makes you want to act in the beginning of combat step instead of the main phase, and holding a split second spell makes you want to act first in the beginning of combat step instead of waiting for your opponent to act.



          Holding up mana here isn't necessarily about responding to the split second spell; it's more generally about having more options for actions to take, perhaps after the spell resolves. If you force the mana to empty from their mana pool, you cut off those options.



          So, here is a scenario in which it matters that you specifically act first during the beginning of combat step: The active player has some mana available and Extirpate in hand, and two attackers with at least two toughness each. The non-active player has one floating red mana, two islands, Electrolyze in hand, and Feeling of Dread in their graveyard. The non-active player is better off casting Feeling of Dread, but they don't want to cast it during their main phase because then the active player could follow up with another creature, possibly with haste.



          If the active player plays Extirpate during their main phase, the non-active player can use their floating mana to cast Electrolyze. If the active player waits until the non-active player acts in the beginning of combat step, the Feeling of Dread is no longer in the graveyard for the Extirpate to target. They get the best result if they act first in the beginning of combat step.






          share|improve this answer

























            Your Answer








            StackExchange.ready(function() {
            var channelOptions = {
            tags: "".split(" "),
            id: "147"
            };
            initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

            StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
            // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
            if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
            StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
            createEditor();
            });
            }
            else {
            createEditor();
            }
            });

            function createEditor() {
            StackExchange.prepareEditor({
            heartbeatType: 'answer',
            autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
            convertImagesToLinks: false,
            noModals: true,
            showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
            reputationToPostImages: null,
            bindNavPrevention: true,
            postfix: "",
            imageUploader: {
            brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
            contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
            allowUrls: true
            },
            noCode: true, onDemand: true,
            discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
            ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
            });


            }
            });






            efie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










            draft saved

            draft discarded


















            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fboardgames.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f44853%2fcan-you-give-an-example-why-the-active-player-wants-to-have-priority-in-beginnin%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown

























            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            1














            It's contrived, but....



            You have an Electrostatic Field on the battlefield. Maybe even you and your opponent both do, and you are both at one life.



            You also have an Anointed Deacon on the battlefield (or any permanent with a "beginning of combat" triggered ability).



            You and your opponent both have a Trickbind in hand. Whoever gets priority first can cast Trickbind, which will trigger Electrostatic Field's triggered ability. That will resolve before Trickbind, winning the game for the player who cast Trickbind.



            Whichever player gets priority first in the beginning of combat step wins the game. No floating mana involved.



            *You no one can cast Trickbind during the main phase because there is no ability on the stack to target.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

              – murgatroid99
              1 hour ago
















            1














            It's contrived, but....



            You have an Electrostatic Field on the battlefield. Maybe even you and your opponent both do, and you are both at one life.



            You also have an Anointed Deacon on the battlefield (or any permanent with a "beginning of combat" triggered ability).



            You and your opponent both have a Trickbind in hand. Whoever gets priority first can cast Trickbind, which will trigger Electrostatic Field's triggered ability. That will resolve before Trickbind, winning the game for the player who cast Trickbind.



            Whichever player gets priority first in the beginning of combat step wins the game. No floating mana involved.



            *You no one can cast Trickbind during the main phase because there is no ability on the stack to target.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

              – murgatroid99
              1 hour ago














            1












            1








            1







            It's contrived, but....



            You have an Electrostatic Field on the battlefield. Maybe even you and your opponent both do, and you are both at one life.



            You also have an Anointed Deacon on the battlefield (or any permanent with a "beginning of combat" triggered ability).



            You and your opponent both have a Trickbind in hand. Whoever gets priority first can cast Trickbind, which will trigger Electrostatic Field's triggered ability. That will resolve before Trickbind, winning the game for the player who cast Trickbind.



            Whichever player gets priority first in the beginning of combat step wins the game. No floating mana involved.



            *You no one can cast Trickbind during the main phase because there is no ability on the stack to target.






            share|improve this answer













            It's contrived, but....



            You have an Electrostatic Field on the battlefield. Maybe even you and your opponent both do, and you are both at one life.



            You also have an Anointed Deacon on the battlefield (or any permanent with a "beginning of combat" triggered ability).



            You and your opponent both have a Trickbind in hand. Whoever gets priority first can cast Trickbind, which will trigger Electrostatic Field's triggered ability. That will resolve before Trickbind, winning the game for the player who cast Trickbind.



            Whichever player gets priority first in the beginning of combat step wins the game. No floating mana involved.



            *You no one can cast Trickbind during the main phase because there is no ability on the stack to target.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 1 hour ago









            GendoIkariGendoIkari

            42.6k389163




            42.6k389163













            • Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

              – murgatroid99
              1 hour ago



















            • Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

              – murgatroid99
              1 hour ago

















            Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

            – murgatroid99
            1 hour ago





            Note that the last sentence of that shortcut definition (not quoted in the question) says "Beginning of combat triggered abilities (even ones that target) may be announced at this time." Since those triggers are announced at the end of this weird backwards shortcut, I think this may not entirely address the issue of who acts first in accordance with that shortcut.

            – murgatroid99
            1 hour ago











            1














            I think the two different pieces here are in some sense independent. The opponent's floating mana makes you want to act in the beginning of combat step instead of the main phase, and holding a split second spell makes you want to act first in the beginning of combat step instead of waiting for your opponent to act.



            Holding up mana here isn't necessarily about responding to the split second spell; it's more generally about having more options for actions to take, perhaps after the spell resolves. If you force the mana to empty from their mana pool, you cut off those options.



            So, here is a scenario in which it matters that you specifically act first during the beginning of combat step: The active player has some mana available and Extirpate in hand, and two attackers with at least two toughness each. The non-active player has one floating red mana, two islands, Electrolyze in hand, and Feeling of Dread in their graveyard. The non-active player is better off casting Feeling of Dread, but they don't want to cast it during their main phase because then the active player could follow up with another creature, possibly with haste.



            If the active player plays Extirpate during their main phase, the non-active player can use their floating mana to cast Electrolyze. If the active player waits until the non-active player acts in the beginning of combat step, the Feeling of Dread is no longer in the graveyard for the Extirpate to target. They get the best result if they act first in the beginning of combat step.






            share|improve this answer






























              1














              I think the two different pieces here are in some sense independent. The opponent's floating mana makes you want to act in the beginning of combat step instead of the main phase, and holding a split second spell makes you want to act first in the beginning of combat step instead of waiting for your opponent to act.



              Holding up mana here isn't necessarily about responding to the split second spell; it's more generally about having more options for actions to take, perhaps after the spell resolves. If you force the mana to empty from their mana pool, you cut off those options.



              So, here is a scenario in which it matters that you specifically act first during the beginning of combat step: The active player has some mana available and Extirpate in hand, and two attackers with at least two toughness each. The non-active player has one floating red mana, two islands, Electrolyze in hand, and Feeling of Dread in their graveyard. The non-active player is better off casting Feeling of Dread, but they don't want to cast it during their main phase because then the active player could follow up with another creature, possibly with haste.



              If the active player plays Extirpate during their main phase, the non-active player can use their floating mana to cast Electrolyze. If the active player waits until the non-active player acts in the beginning of combat step, the Feeling of Dread is no longer in the graveyard for the Extirpate to target. They get the best result if they act first in the beginning of combat step.






              share|improve this answer




























                1












                1








                1







                I think the two different pieces here are in some sense independent. The opponent's floating mana makes you want to act in the beginning of combat step instead of the main phase, and holding a split second spell makes you want to act first in the beginning of combat step instead of waiting for your opponent to act.



                Holding up mana here isn't necessarily about responding to the split second spell; it's more generally about having more options for actions to take, perhaps after the spell resolves. If you force the mana to empty from their mana pool, you cut off those options.



                So, here is a scenario in which it matters that you specifically act first during the beginning of combat step: The active player has some mana available and Extirpate in hand, and two attackers with at least two toughness each. The non-active player has one floating red mana, two islands, Electrolyze in hand, and Feeling of Dread in their graveyard. The non-active player is better off casting Feeling of Dread, but they don't want to cast it during their main phase because then the active player could follow up with another creature, possibly with haste.



                If the active player plays Extirpate during their main phase, the non-active player can use their floating mana to cast Electrolyze. If the active player waits until the non-active player acts in the beginning of combat step, the Feeling of Dread is no longer in the graveyard for the Extirpate to target. They get the best result if they act first in the beginning of combat step.






                share|improve this answer















                I think the two different pieces here are in some sense independent. The opponent's floating mana makes you want to act in the beginning of combat step instead of the main phase, and holding a split second spell makes you want to act first in the beginning of combat step instead of waiting for your opponent to act.



                Holding up mana here isn't necessarily about responding to the split second spell; it's more generally about having more options for actions to take, perhaps after the spell resolves. If you force the mana to empty from their mana pool, you cut off those options.



                So, here is a scenario in which it matters that you specifically act first during the beginning of combat step: The active player has some mana available and Extirpate in hand, and two attackers with at least two toughness each. The non-active player has one floating red mana, two islands, Electrolyze in hand, and Feeling of Dread in their graveyard. The non-active player is better off casting Feeling of Dread, but they don't want to cast it during their main phase because then the active player could follow up with another creature, possibly with haste.



                If the active player plays Extirpate during their main phase, the non-active player can use their floating mana to cast Electrolyze. If the active player waits until the non-active player acts in the beginning of combat step, the Feeling of Dread is no longer in the graveyard for the Extirpate to target. They get the best result if they act first in the beginning of combat step.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited 1 hour ago

























                answered 1 hour ago









                murgatroid99murgatroid99

                45.8k7111189




                45.8k7111189






















                    efie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










                    draft saved

                    draft discarded


















                    efie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













                    efie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












                    efie is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















                    Thanks for contributing an answer to Board & Card Games Stack Exchange!


                    • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                    But avoid



                    • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                    • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                    To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                    draft saved


                    draft discarded














                    StackExchange.ready(
                    function () {
                    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fboardgames.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f44853%2fcan-you-give-an-example-why-the-active-player-wants-to-have-priority-in-beginnin%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                    }
                    );

                    Post as a guest















                    Required, but never shown





















































                    Required, but never shown














                    Required, but never shown












                    Required, but never shown







                    Required, but never shown

































                    Required, but never shown














                    Required, but never shown












                    Required, but never shown







                    Required, but never shown







                    Popular posts from this blog

                    How to label and detect the document text images

                    Vallis Paradisi

                    Tabula Rosettana