So in a previous thread, the question was raised about about trample damage and weather you can morph {bane of the living} to prevent the additional damage (after damage had been declared).
Thus sparking the question, what's the fastest thing in magic, is there an existing order, ie; sacrafice, morph, split second, instant, etc.?
So I guess thats 2 questions?
Okay, to tackle this ill start by saying that since the dimise of interrupts (thank heavens) there is effectively two "speeds". Sorcery and what I'll call "fast effects" or instant speed.
Sorcery speed is when it's your main phase, you have priority and the stack is empty. This is when you can play your land, cast permanents and Sorceries and use planeswalker abilities.
Instant speed is something you can do anytime you have priority.
To be continued...
A common confusion is the difference between paying a cost and cast the spell/activating the ability.
Split second is the same speed as instants, only no one can respond to them.
Morph, or specifically turning a creature face-up doesn't use the stack. When you have priority, you can pay the cost an flip it. But it stil works at instant speed.
That means that, unless First strike or Double strike are involved, theres no point between the time combat damage is decided an when it's dealt to morph a creature.
CR 510.2. Second, all combat damage that's been assigned is dealt simultaneously. This turn-based action doesn't use the stack. No player has the chance to cast spells or activate abilities between the time combat damage is assigned and the time it's dealt. This is a change from previous rules.
Another misconception is that sacrificing is faster than fast effects or instant speed. This is bunk. There are many reasons that could cause a player to sacrifice something, and the reason will affect the time it happens. Typically the confusion comes from paying costs to active an ability or cast a spell.
Thanks again!
When you have priority, and you want to cast a spell, here's what you do:
1) Announce, put on stack
2) Chose mode, announce value of variable costs, intent to play alternate, additional, and special costs and how hybrid will be paid.
3) Chose targets and effects per target.
4) Determine costs, play mana abilities.
5) Pay costs.
So, if you really want to talk about speed, mana abilities could be considered the fastest because they are the only ability you can activate in the middle of casting a spell. They have their own set of rules.
Now let's look at an example. Take a spell like {Fling}. I have a {Ball Lightening} on the 'field and its my post-combat main phase. I want to throw it at my opponent's face. So I announce {Fling}, put it on the stack, chose my opponent as the target, tap my {Mountain} for a red mana and {Bird of Paradise} for another color (it doesn't matter what color), then pay costs. This payment includes sacrificing the {Ball Lightning}. Then the spell is cast and it sits on the stack waiting to resolve. Now is the first time any player will get to respond. Since it was my spell, I'd get first chance to respond, and then I pass to my opponent.
Question: From the example, can my opponent {Shock} my {Ball lightning} to stop the spell?
Answer: No. By the time they can cast instants or fast effects, the Ball has already been sac'ed. (stop giggling) it's sitting happily in the graveyard by then.
Question 2: When I announce {Fling}, can my opponent {Shock} my Birds to keep me from paying the cost?
Answer 2: No. From the moment I announce my spell until the time I'm done paying my costs, my opponent has to sit and wait. They cannot just "jump in" with a fast effect.
So ends the Lesson. 📝🕙🔨
🍺😁👍
It finally makes sence!
Ok but could he {shock} your{ball lightning } so you{fling}can be countered
Quote from: Rass on March 04, 2012, 12:17:10 PM
Ok but could he {shock} your{ball lightning } so you{fling}can be countered
(Somebody missed the point of question 1. 😓)
By the time you say you are going to cast {Fling}, you pay all costs, including sacrificing the Ball. Once flin is on the stack the Ball is gone.
Quote from: BlackJester on March 04, 2012, 01:54:36 PM
Quote from: Rass on March 04, 2012, 12:17:10 PM
Ok but could he {shock} your{ball lightning } so you{fling}can be countered
(Somebody missed the point of question 2)😓
By the time you say you are going to cast {Fling}, you pay all costs, including sacrificing the Ball. Once flin is on the stack the Ball is gone.
Yes but you said to kill the birds for the mana. I didn't know if it was the same
Quote from: Rass on March 04, 2012, 04:40:02 PM
Quote from: BlackJester on March 04, 2012, 01:54:36 PM
Quote from: Rass on March 04, 2012, 12:17:10 PM
Ok but could he {shock} your{ball lightning } so you{fling}can be countered
(Somebody missed the point of question 2)😓
By the time you say you are going to cast {Fling}, you pay all costs, including sacrificing the Ball. Once flin is on the stack the Ball is gone.
Yes but you said to kill the birds for the mana. I didn't know if it was the same
Covered in question 1
Oops I was too busy laughing to comprehend what was being said
Quote from: BlackJester on March 04, 2012, 12:37:47 AM
Question: From the example, can my opponent {Shock} my {Ball lightning} to stop the spell?
Answer: No. By the time they can cast instants or fast effects, the Ball has already been sac'ed. (stop giggling) it's sitting happily in the graveyard by then.
Lol you like sacing your balls at you opponents face eh bj?
Question 2: When I announce {Fling}, can my opponent {Shock} my Birds to keep me from paying the cost?
Answer 2: No. From the moment I announce my spell until the time I'm done paying my costs, my opponent has to sit and wait. They cannot just "jump in" with a fast effect.