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Magic (The Gathering) => Rules => Topic started by: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 03:56:25 PM

Title: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 03:56:25 PM
My friend runs multiple {Kiora's Follower} sorta like additional mana. Let me explain:

2 green, 2 blue, and 1 kiora's follower on the field. Can he successfully cast {Future Sight}?
He taps the mana, then WHILE PAYING for a card he taps the follower to untap the blue to continue paying for future sight. I thought you couldn't tap creatures (for abilities) to cast spells... So to avoid this argument he does this:
Taps 2 blue and 2 green and says he's "floating" that. Then proceeds to tap the follower to untap a blue and retaps the blue so he now has 5 mana in his mana pool. Then plays future sight...

I don't know if this is legit, but can someone clarify?
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Splicer on June 11, 2015, 04:02:03 PM
Well technically he can't do that while casting the spell BUT he can float the mana and then activate the follower's abillity, then tap the land again for more mana.

Tl,dr yes, he can do that.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 04:29:11 PM
Also when I choose to drain mana from his mana pool into mine he taps all his unused mana to "float" (since mana burn isn't a thing anymore) so I cannot drain it into mine. There has to be a limit to prevent him from doing this otherwise a bunch of cards are completely useless.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Splicer on June 11, 2015, 04:29:48 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 04:29:11 PM
Also when I choose to drain mana from his mana pool into mine he taps all his unused mana to "float" (since mana burn isn't a thing anymore) so I cannot drain it into mine. There has to be a limit to prevent him from doing this otherwise a bunch of cards are completely useless.
Please give an example?
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: LinkCelestrial on June 11, 2015, 05:46:44 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 04:29:11 PM
Also when I choose to drain mana from his mana pool into mine he taps all his unused mana to "float" (since mana burn isn't a thing anymore) so I cannot drain it into mine. There has to be a limit to prevent him from doing this otherwise a bunch of cards are completely useless.

Sounds to me like he's giving you more mana...what card are you draining with?
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: griffin131 on June 11, 2015, 05:54:09 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 04:29:11 PM
Also when I choose to drain mana from his mana pool into mine he taps all his unused mana to "float" (since mana burn isn't a thing anymore) so I cannot drain it into mine. There has to be a limit to prevent him from doing this otherwise a bunch of cards are completely useless.
There aren't many that drain mana, but yes - the ones that do you can usually float mana in response.

Keep in mind he's tapping lands to create mana, not tapping mana. There's a large difference.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 06:32:26 PM
{Mana Web} is an example. He taps 1 mana and instead of all his mana becoming tapped he decides to tap all of it to "float" so he can cast more than just one spell.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 06:33:29 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 11, 2015, 05:46:44 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 04:29:11 PM
Also when I choose to drain mana from his mana pool into mine he taps all his unused mana to "float" (since mana burn isn't a thing anymore) so I cannot drain it into mine. There has to be a limit to prevent him from doing this otherwise a bunch of cards are completely useless.

Sounds to me like he's giving you more mana...what card are you draining with?

The card is {Drain Power}.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Kaylesh on June 11, 2015, 06:56:30 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 06:33:29 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 11, 2015, 05:46:44 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 04:29:11 PM
Also when I choose to drain mana from his mana pool into mine he taps all his unused mana to "float" (since mana burn isn't a thing anymore) so I cannot drain it into mine. There has to be a limit to prevent him from doing this otherwise a bunch of cards are completely useless.

Sounds to me like he's giving you more mana...what card are you draining with?

The card is {Drain Power}.
Well, that card forces him to "float" from all his lands actually. He can still respond with instances before his mana drains to you though. Any mana that isn't used to cast spells before drain resolves, goes to you.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Kaylesh on June 11, 2015, 06:57:59 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 11, 2015, 06:32:26 PM
{Mana Web} is an example. He taps 1 mana and instead of all his mana becoming tapped he decides to tap all of it to "float" so he can cast more than just one spell.
In this case, he taps the lands in response to the trigger, which is totally legit. It does force him to spend this mana in this phase though.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 12:16:03 AM
If it takes the mana from his mana pool, you get it. When he floats his mana, it's in his mana pool.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 01:07:55 AM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 12:16:03 AM
If it takes the mana from his mana pool, you get it. When he floats his mana, it's in his mana pool.

But with {Drain Power}, if he can just tap all his mana, what's the point? (Ie: Tap everything to cast a spell.)
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: AwaySinceMirage on June 12, 2015, 01:40:03 AM
The point would be (one possible point would be), you are making him "use it or lose it (to you)" on your main phase ({Drain Power} being a sorcery); he would have nothing left for your combat, post combat main, and end phases. Might be just the ticket you need even if you end up getting none of his mana.
Drain Power was a specialty of mine in Alpha days.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: redwolv on June 12, 2015, 01:46:19 AM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 01:07:55 AM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 12:16:03 AM
If it takes the mana from his mana pool, you get it. When he floats his mana, it's in his mana pool.

But with {Drain Power}, if he can just tap all his mana, what's the point? (Ie: Tap everything to cast a spell.)

If i understand it would work like this

1. Cast {drain power} placing it on the stack.
2. He can then tap lands and cast instant speed spells in response and activate abilities.
3a. He taps lands for mana and casts a spell at instant speed
4a. Stack resolves, {drain power} taps all untapped lands then the mana in his mana poolsis yours, had he used all the mana casting his spell sadly you're out of luck.

3b. He taps all lands in response (for example purposes he floats {W}{B}
4b. DP resolves, there is no land to tap but it sees there is {W}{B} in his mana pool and gives you it.

As for the point of DP if he uses the lands to cast a spell in response, thats like asking the point of casting a spell only to have your opp {cancel} it. The point is the attempt and (hopefully successful) execution of it.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.

That's what I wasn't understanding. Thanks for clarifying. So even if he taps everything and only uses 3 of the ...8? I still get what's left over. sweet.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 02:48:02 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.

That's what I wasn't understanding. Thanks for clarifying. So even if he taps everything and only uses 3 of the ...8? I still get what's left over. sweet.

Yep. The only thing worth noting is if he has a land that taps for different colors he decides what color you get from it.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 03:51:56 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 02:48:02 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.

That's what I wasn't understanding. Thanks for clarifying. So even if he taps everything and only uses 3 of the ...8? I still get what's left over. sweet.

Yep. The only thing worth noting is if he has a land that taps for different colors he decides what color you get from it.

So if he has, say, {Market Festival} on one of his lands and I'm running mono blue he can choose to give me red instead?
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 05:28:57 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 03:51:56 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 02:48:02 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.

That's what I wasn't understanding. Thanks for clarifying. So even if he taps everything and only uses 3 of the ...8? I still get what's left over. sweet.

Yep. The only thing worth noting is if he has a land that taps for different colors he decides what color you get from it.

So if he has, say, {Market Festival} on one of his lands and I'm running mono blue he can choose to give me red instead?

He'd tap the land for whatever it normally produces and then he could add 2 red if he wanted. You'd still get it but yes, that's how it works. Note that you can't add a color that doesn't exist or colorless.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 11:36:27 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 05:28:57 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 03:51:56 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 02:48:02 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.

That's what I wasn't understanding. Thanks for clarifying. So even if he taps everything and only uses 3 of the ...8? I still get what's left over. sweet.

Yep. The only thing worth noting is if he has a land that taps for different colors he decides what color you get from it.

So if he has, say, {Market Festival} on one of his lands and I'm running mono blue he can choose to give me red instead?

He'd tap the land for whatever it normally produces and then he could add 2 red if he wanted. You'd still get it but yes, that's how it works. Note that you can't add a color that doesn't exist or colorless.
One other question, what about land like {Mirrodin's Core}? Can I tap that for what ever color and remove a counter or does he choose that color as well?
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: AwaySinceMirage on June 13, 2015, 02:55:47 AM
Effectively the opponent gets to make all the choices, one way or another.
if I were your opponent, I would respond to your putting Drain Power on the stack by putting Mirrodin's Core's 2nd ability on the stack. I would get a charge counter and you actually would get nothing in that case.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: Kaylesh on June 13, 2015, 06:58:48 AM
Quote from: AwaySinceMirage on June 13, 2015, 02:55:47 AM
Effectively the opponent gets to make all the choices, one way or another.
if I were your opponent, I would respond to your putting Drain Power on the stack by putting Mirrodin's Core's 2nd ability on the stack. I would get a charge counter and you actually would get nothing in that case.
Yup, that would be the best play. Note that if you let {drain power} resolve, you HAVE to tap for mana, though it is still the controller who does so.
Title: Re: activating abilities
Post by: LinkCelestrial on June 13, 2015, 12:09:48 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 11:36:27 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 05:28:57 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 03:51:56 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 02:48:02 PM
Quote from: Avodroc13 on June 12, 2015, 02:13:12 PM
Quote from: LinkCelestrial on June 12, 2015, 01:47:02 PM
What you're not seeing is that all the mana he floats is in his mana pool so you get it. For example.

You {Drain Power}

He has 2 {Forest} and 3 {Mountain}.

In response he taps all his land, putting {G}{G}{R}{R}{R} in his /mana pool/.

He could then spend that mana on say, a {Lightning Bolt}. Then he has {G}{G}{R}{R} in his mana pool.

{Drain Power} resolves, taps his lands (which are all tapped) then you get his {G}{G}{R}{R} that he floated because you're taking mana from his mana pool and that's where mana goes when you float it.

That's what I wasn't understanding. Thanks for clarifying. So even if he taps everything and only uses 3 of the ...8? I still get what's left over. sweet.

Yep. The only thing worth noting is if he has a land that taps for different colors he decides what color you get from it.

So if he has, say, {Market Festival} on one of his lands and I'm running mono blue he can choose to give me red instead?

He'd tap the land for whatever it normally produces and then he could add 2 red if he wanted. You'd still get it but yes, that's how it works. Note that you can't add a color that doesn't exist or colorless.
One other question, what about land like {Mirrodin's Core}? Can I tap that for what ever color and remove a counter or does he choose that color as well?

As stated above, your opponent taps for mana and you get it.