APNAP

[Avodroc13]

Can someone explain how APNAP actually works? I just got entirely confused about it. O.o

[Remillo]

Alright, so, when multiple triggers happen during a resolution of a spell or ability (Say, {Pyxis of Pandemonium} bringing in permanents), we decide what order these abilities go on the stack in "Active Player, Non-Active Player" Order (APNAP).  The Active Player (The player whose turn it is) puts their triggers on the stack in whatever order they like, then the next player in turn order (next Non-Active Player) does the same, and so on, until all players have ordered their triggers.  Then stuff resolves in the reverse order they were added, like the stack normally does.

[DylanW18]

I just answered in the other thread lol but I'll answer here too


APNAP explains the order of any triggered abilities of the Stack, and how they resolve based off of who's turn it is

Casting spells is based off of Priority, and when that passes from player to player


Does that make sense?

[Avodroc13]

Well, let's say that trigger is on the stack in a 1v1v1v1. Someone plays a Stifie, then does each player receive priority to put something else on the stack? Ie: p1 triggers, p2 Stifies, p3 counterspells Stifie, p4 does nothing. Does priority go back around to see if someone wants to counterspell p3s counterspell?

[Remillo]

Well, let's say that trigger is on the stack in a 1v1v1v1. Someone plays a Stifie, then does each player receive priority to put something else on the stack? Ie: p1 triggers, p2 Stifies, p3 counterspells Stifie, p4 does nothing. Does priority go back around to see if someone wants to counterspell p3s counterspell?

Sure.  All players get the chance to do something whenever anything is put on to the stack or resolves.  Player 2 could very well Counter the Counterspell.

[DylanW18]

Well, let's say that trigger is on the stack in a 1v1v1v1. Someone plays a Stifie, then does each player receive priority to put something else on the stack? Ie: p1 triggers, p2 Stifies, p3 counterspells Stifie, p4 does nothing. Does priority go back around to see if someone wants to counterspell p3s counterspell?

Sure.  All players get the chance to do something whenever anything is put on to the stack or resolves.  Player 2 could very well Counter the Counterspell.

Priority is also passed at the beginning and end of each Phase

[Pleeb]

In order for anything to resolve on the stack, each player must pass priority in turn without adding anything to the stack. In a 5 player game, everyone has the opportunity to respond to the stifle

[Avodroc13]

So when the Stifie is played, no one counterspells until the priority goes all the way around?

[Pleeb]

Stifle won't resolve until everyone at the table has a chance to react. Of course, neither will the ability you're trying to stifle. If you're asking if anyone can {counterspell} your stifle, yes they can, but then that wouldn't resolve until everyone (including you) has a chance to react to it.

[Avodroc13]

In a multiplayer game how is priority properly passed to the next player? On the computer, there is a small time limit that allows proirity, but irl, I'm not sure how to pass it before I can play something as a counter.
If me and p3 try to counter p1's spell, then each player knows that the other can counter something else.

[Pleeb]

Priority passes in turn order

P1 casts a spell (let's say a board wipe), decides he has nothing else to add, then passes priority. There isn't necessarily a time limit for this.

You (p2) can now add to the stack.  You don't have a counterspell, but you do have an {unsummon} and a really nice creature on the field you would hate to see in the GY, so you unsummon your creature. You're now done so you pass priority to p3.

P3 only has a couple chump blockers on the table but has a counterspell in hand as well as a couple creatures so doesn't mind the board wipe as much so decides to counterspell your unsummon. Just out of spite, he decides to {fling} his 2/2 bear at p1 before passing priority.

P1 now has a chance to react, but doesn't have anything so passes to you.

You don't have anything else to do so pass priority. Now everyone has passed priority without adding to the stack so the top object resolves and p1 takes 2 damage. After fling resolves, state based actions are checked and triggers are placed on the stack. Now p1 receives priority because he is active player even though p3's spell resolved and he controls the top object on the stack. If everyone passes priority again without adding anything, when priority gets to p1 again p3's counterspell will resolve etc.

Priority and apnap sound worse than they are, it just gets complicated because of all the shortcuts people take to make the game progress smoother and faster.

[Avodroc13]

So say p1 plays elixir of immortality, p2 counterspells p1, p3 counterspells p2's counterspell, and p4 Cancels p3. In the end, once everything resolves, Elixer is still put on the field?
I'm just trying to get this down. :p