Really sorry for these newb questions. I have two really basic questions that I can't find the answers for. I have the comp rules, so if you could show me the answer in the comp rules, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
1. Are you allowed to untap land after it has been tapped? Were you always allowed to do this? Let's say that you tap 6 land to cast something. Then it turns out that you only needed 5 mana, and you can't do anything with the last mana. Can you untap it before the end of that phase?
2. Are you required to tap your land before you play a spell? Let's say you're summoning a creature or casting an instant/sorcery. Usually I tap my land for the required mana, and then play the spell once I have the required mana in my pool. Sometimes I see people put the spell down first, and then tap their land. Are you allowed to do this? I know at one point (early in the game's history) you weren't allowed to do this. When was it changed? (if it was changed).
Once again, if you can provide the corresponding comp rules locations, that would really help.
1. Are you allowed to untap land after it has been tapped?
Technically no, but if the game state hasn't changed since you tapped some lands, you can "go back." Once you cast a spell and your opponent either responds or lets it resolve, the game state has changed, and you can't go back. This is more of a tournament rules thing than a CR rules thing. It's very similar to the chess philosophy that if you haven't taken your hand off a piece, your move isn't final.
2. Are you required to tap your land before you play a spell?
No. You can either tap the lands before you cast a spell (and float mana in your pool), or generate mana during the casting process. This is covered in "601. Casting Spells" and "602. Activating Activated Abilities".
1) This depends on this situation. If you tap your lands and then changed your mind before you take another action, you are free to do that. On the other hand if you tap your lands and then cast a spell you can't untap any of your lands after that point. Do note that if you did tap one too many and you didn't announce what mana was floating after paying a spells cost then you've committed a violation. If that's the case the judge may choose to back the game up to when the violation occured (though if too much has occured I doubt it).
2) You can do either. During the process of casting a spell, if there is a mana cost associated with casting it, you will have the opportunity during that process to tap your land for mana before you pay for the costs. Of course if you prefer you can tap your lands before you begin casting too.
Really sorry for these newb questions. I have two really basic questions that I can't find the answers for. I have the comp rules, so if you could show me the answer in the comp rules, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
1. Are you allowed to untap land after it has been tapped? Were you always allowed to do this? Let's say that you tap 6 land to cast something. Then it turns out that you only needed 5 mana, and you can't do anything with the last mana. Can you untap it before the end of that phase?
You must tap appropriately when a spell is cast. If you accidentally tap more than what was required, you cannot go back and untap it. If it's still during the same phase, you can just float that mana if you want as long as you point out you are floating it. However, at regular REL, a judge or the other player may be okay with you taking it back as long as it doesn't affect the game too much. When in doubt, call a judge. At competitive or professional REL, it will in most cases remain tapped unless you catch it right away.
2. Are you required to tap your land before you play a spell? Let's say you're summoning a creature or casting an instant/sorcery. Usually I tap my land for the required mana, and then play the spell once I have the required mana in my pool. Sometimes I see people put the spell down first, and then tap their land. Are you allowed to do this? I know at one point (early in the game's history) you weren't allowed to do this. When was it changed? (if it was changed).
Once again, if you can provide the corresponding comp rules locations, that would really help.
Thanks again!
Technically, no. The order in which you cast a spell actually requires that you announce the spell first, so you can put it on the table and announce it before you tap for it. However, the spell does not become cast until after it has been paid for. Basically, this is what happens in this order (and this is simplified):
-You announce the spell and it goes on the stack
-You declare modes, targets, etc.
-You then activate any mana abilities, and then pay for the spell
-congratulations, your spell is now cast.
Edit: as said above, you can tap your lands ahead of time, too. Technically, that mana is floating until you pay for the spell which is the last part of casting a spell.
Technically, no. The order in which you cast a spell actually requires that you announce the spell first, so you can put it on the table and announce it before you tap for it. However, the spell does not become cast until after it has been paid for. Basically, this is what happens in this order (and this is simplified):
Like to note that:
A player is free to generate mana before casting a spell and then use that mana to pay for it, it is just the process of casting a spell gives you a chance to generate mana if you want (if there is a mana cost for the spell).
So what op is doing is fine, as well as the other people.
In an actual tournament situation, what are the consequences of playing a spell, then going to tap land only to realize that you don't have enough land to generate the required mana for the spell? At that point, can I just put the spell back into my hand and untap the land? (the game state has not changed)
1. Are you allowed to untap land after it has been tapped? Were you always allowed to do this? Let's say that you tap 6 land to cast something. Then it turns out that you only needed 5 mana, and you can't do anything with the last mana. Can you untap it before the end of that phase?
2. Are you required to tap your land before you play a spell? Let's say you're summoning a creature or casting an instant/sorcery. Usually I tap my land for the required mana, and then play the spell once I have the required mana in my pool. Sometimes I see people put the spell down first, and then tap their land. Are you allowed to do this? I know at one point (early in the game's history) you weren't allowed to do this. When was it changed? (if it was changed).
Once again, if you can provide the corresponding comp rules locations, that would really help.
Thanks again!
No. You can either tap the lands before you cast a spell (and float mana in your pool), or generate mana during the casting process. This is covered in "601. Casting Spells" and "602. Activating Activated Abilities".
2) You can do either. During the process of casting a spell, if there is a mana cost associated with casting it, you will have the opportunity during that process to tap your land for mana before you pay for the costs. Of course if you prefer you can tap your lands before you begin casting too.
You must tap appropriately when a spell is cast. If you accidentally tap more than what was required, you cannot go back and untap it. If it's still during the same phase, you can just float that mana if you want as long as you point out you are floating it. However, at regular REL, a judge or the other player may be okay with you taking it back as long as it doesn't affect the game too much. When in doubt, call a judge. At competitive or professional REL, it will in most cases remain tapped unless you catch it right away.
Technically, no. The order in which you cast a spell actually requires that you announce the spell first, so you can put it on the table and announce it before you tap for it. However, the spell does not become cast until after it has been paid for. Basically, this is what happens in this order (and this is simplified):
-You announce the spell and it goes on the stack
-You declare modes, targets, etc.
-You then activate any mana abilities, and then pay for the spell
-congratulations, your spell is now cast.
Edit: as said above, you can tap your lands ahead of time, too. Technically, that mana is floating until you pay for the spell which is the last part of casting a spell.
Modern Junk Primer
Legacy ANT Primer
L1 Judge
Like to note that:
A player is free to generate mana before casting a spell and then use that mana to pay for it, it is just the process of casting a spell gives you a chance to generate mana if you want (if there is a mana cost for the spell).
So what op is doing is fine, as well as the other people.