"When nothing else is on the stack"?!..

[CarnageByM]

Hey guys, I'm new to MTG and I'm reading about Sorceries. It says; "Sorceries can only be played during the player's main phase, and only when nothing else is on the stack". This wording confuses me, could someone explain? Thanks.

[June-pie]

Instants and most abilities use the 'stack' which determines which spells and abilities resolve first. Should you cast something, your opponent can respond to it and place their instant spell on the stack, then their spell 'resolves' first, which is just to say that the spell goes through and happens. Then every subsequent spell is allowed to resolve.

Sorceries are only alllowed to be cast when nothing else is being casted at that time, and only during your main phase. I hope that makes sense.

[pjfeigel]

The Stack is a zone of the game. Just like your Library, Hand, Graveyard, Battlefield, etc.

Whenever you cast a Spell, you move it from the zone it's in (usually your Hand) and put it on the Stack.

• If the Spell has an X in the Mana Cost, you'd announce what the X is.
  
• If the Spell has optional Alternative or Additional Costs, you announce whether you are going to use them.
  
• If the Spell targets, you announce the target(s).
  
• You determine the Total Cost.
  
• You pay the Cost.

After the Cost is paid, the Spell becomes "cast" and you will (most likely) regain priority.

- Having nothing more to do, you pass priority to your opponent.

- Then, your opponent they can respond to the Spell. Assuming they don't respond to your Spell and passes.

Now, all Players have passed priority in succession, and the top Object on the Stack (your Spell) resolves.

Instants and cards with Flash can be cast anytime your have priority.

Artifacts, Creatures, Enchantments, Planeswalkers, Sorcerys can be cast in your Main Phase, while the Stack is empty and you have priority.

[CarnageByM]

So, you can't use Sorceries while something else is happening? I'm still confused because it sounds to me like you can only use a Sorcery when theres literally nothing else on the board. Isn't 'the stack' where all my summoned creatures are?

[pjfeigel]

Originally posted by CptEgo:

So, you can't use Sorceries while something else is happening?

Most of the time... Yes.

However, sometimes a Sorcery can be cast as though it had Flash (ie. Quicken), or they can be cast during the resolution of another Spell/Ability (ie. Brain in the Jar).

I'm still confused because it sounds to me like you can only use a Sorcery when theres literally nothing else on the board. Isn't 'the stack' where all my summoned creatures are?

No.

The Stack is where Spells and non-mana Activated/Triggered abilities exist before they resolve.

Once a Creature spell resolves, it's put onto the Battlefield.
Once an Instant/Sorcery spell resolves, you carry out its instructions and put it into the Graveyard.

[CarnageByM]

Originally posted by pjfeigel:

Once a Creature spell resolves, it's put onto the Battlefield.
Once an Instant/Sorcery spell resolves, you carry out its instructions and put it into the Graveyard.

But, doesn't a creature with summoning sickness count as 'unresolved'? Which means that card won't resolve until your next turn?

[Wiffin]

Trolls in the sunshine are plenty fun.
A muffin always trumps a bun.

[pjfeigel]

Originally posted by CptEgo:

But, doesn't a creature with summoning sickness count as 'unresolved'?

No.

It means you did not control the Creature since the beginning of your most recent turn,

[Snackster]

To add a note here.. It's cool playing the steam magic games. It can be a good way to learn the basic rules of magic and get a feeling for the overall flow of games in magic.

However.. just so you know.. Magic Duels doesn't comply with the rules of magic when it comes to how priority passes between players.
Once you have drawn your card in the draw phase and enter your 1st main phase you have priority and your opponent can't cast any instants or activate any abilities until you pass priority which will happen when you throw a spell, trigger an ability or skip your main phase to enter the combat phase of your turn. This is how magic is according to the official rules.

I am simply mentioning it so that once you start playing more serious games on MTGO or in real life it can be a good idea to check up on these rules.

I hope you have fun with magic. Best card game ever made.

[pjfeigel]

Originally posted by Aeonikus:

Once you have drawn your card in the draw phase

There is no "draw phase". The Draw STEP is the third step in the BEGINNING Phase.

• 501. Beginning Phase
  
  
  • 501.1. The beginning phase consists of three steps, in this order: untap, upkeep, and draw.

[CarnageByM]

Originally posted by Aeonikus:

To add a note here.. It's cool playing the steam magic games. It can be a good way to learn the basic rules of magic and get a feeling for the overall flow of games in magic.

I hope you have fun with magic. Best card game ever made.

Yea, I went to a Magic event where I live and a guy taught me how to play and I got a free starter pack. But ofcourse, he didn't have time to teach me about every aspect in depth. He recommended I try out Magic Duels. It's not the same at all though, actually having the cards in your hand feels so much better.