All Questions
1,567
questions
40
votes
1
answer
57k
views
What is "summoning sickness" and how does it affect my creatures?
Note: this is intended to be a canonical question about summoning sickness.
"Summoning sickness", broadly, is the rule that stops you from attacking or paying {T} costs with a creature that you just ...
29
votes
4
answers
42k
views
In plain English, how does casting spells and using creature abilities work with the stack and priority?
I'm a relatively new player to Magic: the Gathering. I was reading the expanded rules to try to understand exactly when it's okay to cast instants (e.g. Cancel) and use some abilities (e.g. Goblin ...
34
votes
3
answers
198k
views
How do you determine the winner of a Texas Hold'em poker hand?
In Texas Hold'em poker, there are some cases where a particular card, often called kicker, acts as a tiebreaker between players to determine who wins the pot, or if the pot has to be shared.
For some ...
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Which spells or abilities are affected by things that care about targeting?
Note: this is intended to be a canonical question about whether or not a spell or ability targets so there are multiple sub-questions.
Can Hexproof or Shroud save my creature from Wrath of God? What ...
41
votes
3
answers
103k
views
Does an ability resolve if the source of the ability leaves the battlefield?
Player A taps Goblin Fireslinger targeting Player B; its "deals 1 damage to target player" ability is placed on the stack.
Player B gets priority and responds with Snap, targeting Goblin ...
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I pay two different costs with the same payment?
Say I have a Zombie token, Viscera Seer, and Altar of Dementia on the battlefield. Can I sacrifice the Zombie token to activate both the Altar's and Seer's abilities?
Similarly, if I have one card in ...
57
votes
2
answers
80k
views
In MTG, what happens when a player loses in multiplayer?
In Magic: The Gathering, the rules for a player losing in a multiplayer game are quite complex, so I'd like to try to understand them by example. I would be happy to ask each of these situations as a ...
15
votes
3
answers
35k
views
Are +1/+1 counters different from +1/+1 effects?
Is a +1/+1 counter I get from, say Unleash or Undying different than +1/+1 from something like Spear of Heliod or Master of Waves?
34
votes
1
answer
44k
views
What order do triggered abilities happen in if multiple things trigger at the same time?
I had several humans on the battlefield.
On turn three, I played Triumph of Ferocity. On turn four, I played Descendants' Path. On turn five, during my upkeep, this question came up.
At this point,...
26
votes
4
answers
47k
views
If a blocking creature leaves the battlefield, is the attacker still blocked, or will it damage the opponent?
Suppose Player 1 has a Dragon on the table and Unsummon in hand, while Player 2 has two Spiders on the table.
Player 1 chooses to attack with the Dragon and Player 2 chooses to block with one of the ...
18
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How does having multiple permanents with the same name affect those permanents' abilities?
Many abilities in MTG use a permanent's name in the ability. Does this mean that if I have 2 copies of that permanent, the ability will affect both permanents?
Activated ability example:
Vector Asp - ...
8
votes
2
answers
20k
views
Can you claim a Double Sacrifice Bonus? [duplicate]
Two very closely related questions:
If a card has two different "Sacrifice this creature for X" abilities on it, does sacrificing it give both benefits?
Likewise, if a card requires a creature to be ...
7
votes
1
answer
23k
views
Where can I find the rules for 7 Wonders and its expansions?
Are the rules for 7 Wonders and the expansions available online?
5
votes
1
answer
7k
views
What happens in these end-game situations?
This is intended to be a canonical question regarding possible endings of the game.
For each question, assume a single proper strike was made, and note where an improper strike would change the game ...
23
votes
2
answers
22k
views
If a permanent turns into a(nother) creature, has it entered the battlefield?
I was playing a game last night with a guy who was playing a new Simic Gatecrash deck, and he claimed that if he made a land into a creature, it counted as entering the battlefield, thus triggering ...
23
votes
1
answer
29k
views
What happens when a creature with "Whenever a creature dies" dies simultaneously with multiple other creatures?
Marchesa, the Black Rose has the following ability:
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it dies, return that card to the battlefield under your control at the beginning of the ...
12
votes
4
answers
48k
views
What does protection from [quality] do?
Example 1) Let's say I have some random creature with protection from white, and my opponent plays Day of Judgment, a white card with the effect "Destroy all creatures." Can my creature with ...
22
votes
2
answers
51k
views
Does 'fight' involve combat?
The text for Ulvenwald Tracker says:
{1}{G}, {T} : Target creature you control fights another target creature. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
Does this have anything to do with ...
18
votes
4
answers
49k
views
How can I tell which cards or sets are currently legal in various formats?
I haven't played Magic: the Gathering since the days of Onslaught and Mirrodin, and I would like to try to catch back up. Since all my cards are quite dated now, I may be more interested in formats ...
8
votes
1
answer
8k
views
What happens if a target for removal becomes ineligible after a card has been cast?
When you have a card like Complete Disregard which reads "Exile Target Creature with power 3 or less", as I understand it, it becomes untargetable if the opponent's creature power increases ...
52
votes
1
answer
240k
views
How can I tell the difference between early Magic: The Gathering card editions?
I have a few Magic: The Gathering cards whose editions I'm having trouble identifying. They are obviously from either Alpha or Beta, since they have black borders and the same design as the Unlimited ...
23
votes
3
answers
7k
views
What is the difference between lands and mana?
What is the relationship between lands and mana in Magic and what do each of them do? A good answer should especially include how a new player should think about them.
Note:
This is an attempt to ...
18
votes
4
answers
26k
views
Where can I find a chart or diagram explaining Magic's turn structure?
I'm looking for a turn structure diagram for Magic the Gathering to use for teaching new players. There is a lot of information to keep track of in the turn: there is everything from the fact that ...
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can I cast a spell while another spell or ability is resolving?
My opponent has a Sorin, Lord of Innistrad with scads of loyalty. I've got a Gideon Jura and a Nihil Spellbomb on the battlefield.
He activates Sorin's "ultimate" ability, targeting Gideon.
...
52
votes
3
answers
139k
views
How do you calculate the likelihood of drawing certain cards in your opening hand?
In Magic, at the start of the game, you draw 7 cards. How would you calculate the likelihood of drawing a specific card in your opening hand?
For example, let's say I have a 60 card deck, and I'm ...
36
votes
10
answers
59k
views
In Monopoly, Is it OK for a third party to make a trade with a player who is about to lose?
I play with some serious board gamers, but we have neglected Monopoly for a number of years, so our knowledge is mostly based on high school & house rules.
We played last week and enjoyed it, but ...
23
votes
2
answers
29k
views
Do creatures that enter the battlefield at the same time see each other enter?
Let's say I have Goldnight Commander on the board. He is a 2/2 that says:
Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
I ...
13
votes
1
answer
44k
views
Can you play older versions of cards in standard?
Say, for example, you have a card that is still legal in standard but the version you have of it comes from a set that has since been rotated out. Can you still play the version from your older set?
75
votes
13
answers
4k
views
Taking back turns, and forgotten privileges [closed]
A generic question across most board games: once a player has taken their turn (taken their finger off the piece they are playing), should they be allowed to change their mind?
Similarly, if a player ...
9
votes
2
answers
45k
views
Cards entering the battlefield simultaneously and "Enter the Battlefield" effects [duplicate]
I was playing modern with the owner of a shop. He played a Scapeshift which he used to bring in 7 lands: 5 basic mountains and 2 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle cards.
He then claimed that each Valakut ...
37
votes
5
answers
109k
views
Can instants be played after I decide not to block?
My friend has a green Infect deck. When he declares a creature to attack and I allow it to go through unblocked, he suddenly plays all these Instants that 'pump' the creature up, and because of Infect,...
15
votes
3
answers
35k
views
Destroying a Planewalker before its ability is used
Say my opponent plays a planeswalker during their first main phase. I have a Hero's Downfall or some other effect that will kill it after it is already in play, but before they use any of its ...
54
votes
2
answers
18k
views
There seem to be several different scoring systems for fields/cities in Carcassonne -- which is correct?
It seems that the scoring for fields and cities in Carcassonne varies -- has this changed over the years, or is this a difference between the US and international versions? Are there generally-...
44
votes
4
answers
180k
views
Land ratio vs mana curve
When choosing cards for a deck, one of the most important things to consider is the number of land you put in. The biggest issue is mana curve, of course. What shortcuts are best for determining the ...
27
votes
4
answers
12k
views
What are good strategies for booster drafts?
I know that doing a booster draft can be somewhat complicated, because to really be good you need to know a lot about the set you're drafting (or be really good at evaluating cards quickly) and to pay ...
19
votes
1
answer
220k
views
Are tile bonuses counted twice if 2 new words are formed?
An example:
O
O?
There is a triple letter tile to the right of the bottom O, indicated with a ?.
If I place an X on it, making the words OX (vertical) and OX (horizontal), do I score 50 points (...
14
votes
2
answers
47k
views
What are the differences between combat damage, direct damage, and loss of life?
From reading the rules it would appear there are two kinds of damage and then straight loss of life:
118.3 If an effect causes a player to gain or lose life, that player's life total is adjusted ...
12
votes
1
answer
43k
views
Can I kill an indestructible creature with -X/-X and sufficient damage marked on it?
Can I hit a 4/4 indestructible creature with a Lightning Bolt (3 damage) and give it -1/-1 with Tragic Slip to kill it? (Does it matter which way around I cast those?)
I read this description here ...
11
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How should I determine whether a deck is legal in a particular format?
I have a list of cards for a deck I want to build or buy. What should I do to check whether that deck is legal in a particular format (Standard, for example)?
112
votes
11
answers
27k
views
How can I beat "Big Money" in Dominion?
Our group has determined that buying (almost exclusively) money and points is the way to go.
Most kingdom cards are ignored, or are bought very sparingly. This has lead to games feeling 'samey' and ...
67
votes
15
answers
6k
views
Countermeasures to "analysis paralysis"?
Several of my gaming friends are victim to more or less chronic analysis paralysis, which can drag down even the simplest of games.
We've occasionally used an hourglass to combat this, but it tends ...
25
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Can a resource card be used more than once in a turn when allowed to build more than one structure?
Scenario:
Player is using Babylon (side B)
2nd wonder has been completed (allows playing last card of each age instead of discarding)
Player has a Mine in play (can produce either Stone or Ore)
...
14
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Does a card that affects 'each' creature affect creatures that enter the battlefield after it resolves?
My opponent casts Predatory Rampage, which resolves, then he attacks with his creatures.
In my hand, I have a creature card with Flash. If I summon this creature before the declare blockers step, ...
8
votes
2
answers
22k
views
When I gain control of a creature, do I also gain control of any auras or equipment attached to it?
What would happen if I Portent of Betrayal'd a creature that had been enchanted by a bestow creature and cast a spell to give it protection from the enchantment's color on it to remove the bestowed ...
5
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Underworld Connections: Tapping the Land for mana and ability?
Let's say i enchant a land with Underworld Connections. Would i be able to tap said land for mana, and use the ability of Underworld Connections concurrently?
-2
votes
1
answer
9k
views
Multiple permanents entering the battlefield simultaneously and “Enter the Battlefield” effects [duplicate]
There are many cards that can put multiple permanents onto the battlefield simultaneously, such as Scapeshift, Living Death, or Pyxis of Pandemonium. How do these interact with the following types of ...
114
votes
22
answers
14k
views
What cooperative board games are there that I could safely play with my wife? [closed]
My wife loves board games, but dislikes very competitive games, and is completely uninterested in aggressive "beat up the other guy" games. We recently discovered Pandemic, where each player works ...
85
votes
12
answers
110k
views
Why would you want to play with a deck bigger than 60 cards in MTG?
In Magic the Gathering, the decks are required to be no less than 60 cards, but can be larger. Since you can only have 4 of each card (except for basic lands), it seems you would want the limit size ...
67
votes
18
answers
11k
views
Boardgaming Online [closed]
This is a community maintained list of online resources to play boardgames with.
Does anyone know of more resources for online play?
Answers that address the following points would be much ...
30
votes
1
answer
18k
views
What happens when you need to tear-down a hotel but no houses are in the bank in Monopoly?
Strictly following the rules of Monopoly will show that just because you have the cash to out-right buy hotels for your properties, you cannot if there are not enough houses in the bank to support an ...