I don't have a specific card in mind, just a general question. Can you tap a creature (if it has a tap ability) without assigning it to attack someone?
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More specifically, When you attack, it doesn't automatically activate any tap abilities. The only way to use those abilities is to pay the cost (whatever is before the colon) to put the ability on the stack. If a creature's ability would trigger when it attacks, it will say either "Whenever ~ attacks, do x" or "Whenever ~ becomes tapped, do X"
Unless Vigilance is involved, of course. A creature with Vigilance doesn't tap to attack. So you can attack with a creature that has Vigilance and activate a T ability after the attack declaration.
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If a creature is tapped, it can't attack.
Attacks occur as the declare attackers step begins in a combat phase. As a Turn-Based Action, the creatures you choose become tapped and attacking.
If you activate a creature's ability, therefore, it MUST NOT attack someone. At least, not without further mutation of the game state.
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