The Essential Magic Rules Team is constantly being
asked questions about the Stack. We're glad that so many of you ask us your questions (if you
didn't, then we would be out of a job), but we thought it might save you - and us - some time
if we put some of the most frequently asked questions (and their answers) all in one place.
- What is the Stack?
- What does it mean to "respond" to a spell?
- What does it mean to "resolve" a spell?
- What types of spells can I put on the Stack?
- When does the Stack finally resolve?
- Can I only play spells that are related to a spell already on the Stack?
- Does all damage go on the stack?
- Can I respond to Combat Damge going on the Stack?
- Is it true that the game isn't over until the Stack is done resolving?
- How many stacks are there?
What is the Stack?
A complete explanation of what the Stack is and how it works is beyond the scope of this
FAQ. Please read our article on Understanding
The Stack, or refer to section 217.6 of the Comprehensive Rules or section
T.2 of the Rulings Summaries.
What does it mean to "respond" to a spell?
Whenever you play a spell while another spell is already on the Stack, you are said to be
"responding" to the first spell. For example, if I Shock Buy your
2/2 creature, you can play a Giant Growth Buy in response to my
Shock.
What does it mean to "resolve" a spell?
A spell or ability doesn't actually "happen" until it resolves. Exactly what "happens"
depends on what type of spell or ability is resolving. When an Instant, Sorcery,
or ability resolves, you follow the instructions printed on the card. When a Creature,
Artifact, or Enchantment resolves, it comes into play. When Combat Damage resolves, it
is dealt to creatures as originally assigned.
What types of spells can I put on the Stack?
The stack can hold any type of Spell,
as well as Activated Abilities and
Triggered Abilities. However, in order
to play a spell or ability, it must be legal for you to do so at that time. Some general
rules to remember are:
- Creatures, Sorceries, Enchantments, and Artifacts can only be played on your turn, during your Main Phase, when the Stack is empty.
- Instants and Activated Abilities can be played whenever you have priority (even on your opponent's turn).
When does the Stack finally resolve?
When both players pass priority in a row, the spell or ability on top of the stack resolves.
The Stack does not resolve all at once. Instead, each spell or ability on the Stack resolves
one-at-a-time. After each spell or ability resolves, both players will get the opportunity to
play additional spells and abilities.
Can I only play spells that are related to a spell already on the Stack?
You can play any spell that you want, even if it has no relation whatsoever to any other spell on
the Stack. For example, if I play a Searing Wind Buy on you, you can respond
by playing a Harrow Buy, even though Harrow doesn't seem to have anything
to do with Searing Wind.
Does all damage go on the stack?
No. Only Combat Damage goes on the stack. All other damage is dealt as soon as the spell
or ability dealing the damage resolves.
Can I respond to Combat Damge going on the Stack?
Yes. At the beginning of the Combat Damage Step, Combat Damage is assigned and goes on the
Stack. Then, the Active Player gets priority to play spells and abilities. This is an ideal
time to play spells such as Fog Buy or Reverse Damage Buy,
or abilities such as Hypochondria Buy's or Master Apothecary Buy's.
Is it true that the game isn't over until the Stack is done resolving?
No. Losing the game is a State-Based Effect,
which means that it can happen any time that a player is about to receive priority. When
State-Based Effects are checked, if a player is at zero or less life, has failed to draw a card,
or has ten or more Poison Counters, then that player loses and the game ends immediately. To
demonstrate the importance of this, take the following example:
Player A and Player B are both at 2 life. Player A plays Shock Buy, targeting Player B. In response, Player B plays Shock, targeting Player A. Because Player B's Shock is on top of the Stack, it will resolve first, dealing 2 damage to Player A. Before Player A's Shock can resolve, State-Based Effects must be checked. At this point, Player A will lose because he is at zero life. Player B wins the game, even though the very next spell on the Stack would have killed him.
How many stacks are there
There is only one Stack. There is no such thing as a player playing a spell to "his" stack.
Every player in the game shares the same stack.
You may sometimes hear people say something like "When you play a Creature, it creates a new stack" or "You can't create a new stack until the old one is done resolving". Statements like these are technically not correct, although the idea behind them is sound. There is no such thing as creating a "new stack". It is true that the stack must be empty in order for you to play a creature, but just because the stack is empty doesn't mean that it went away. It's always there -- even if there's nothing on it. So, whenever you hear someone say something about creating a "new stack", what they really mean is that a spell is being played while the stack is empty.
