Taking back plays
General forum
Posted on March 9, 2016, 8:22 a.m. by Argy
I've had two people play me recently who tapped their mana incorrectly, made their play, colour-screwed themselves, and then later wanted to change which lands they had untapped.
I say no to this.
When I was new to the game I let myself get punished for the mistakes I made with colours and mana.
I worked out that it would be the best way for me to learn not to do that. I was right. I can't remember the last time I stuffed up my mana.
If a person is VERY new to the game I might cut them some slack. If this was their first time playing in a tournament, or something like that.
What's your policy?
canterlotguardian says... #3
Kitchen table = yes.
Competitive event = no.
Equals signs = fun.
March 9, 2016 8:37 a.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #4
I only allow going back if it hasn't impacted a decision I've made on that same turn. Additionally, if I have revealed any information about my hand or game plan, I will not allow it. The most common instance of this is not leaving a blue source open with a deck that likely runs Dispel - if they screw up and I end up revealing a counter from my hand, then I will not let them go back.
March 9, 2016 8:45 a.m.
ItchiUchiha117 says... #5
I will allow them to retap mana only if they are still in the same phase of a turn. If they play something out, go to combat, and can't cast a Counterspell in response to my kill spell because they forgot to leave up 
, that is not my fault. If they cast a big spell and then say, "Oh, wait, I tapped funky (or something along those lines), do you mind if I switch some lands around?" that's fine.
March 9, 2016 8:51 a.m.
ItchiUchiha117 says... #6
Though, do keep in mind, the most competitive REL I play is FNM, so I may be a bit different at high level tournament play.
March 9, 2016 8:53 a.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #7
If the person has played more than 2-3 games then no
March 9, 2016 9:29 a.m.
ItchiUchiha117 and I are on the same page. If another player is still in the same phase when they realize their error, I have no problem letting them rethink their play. Then again, I only play casual with friends and having a good time is the whole reason we play.
March 9, 2016 9:36 a.m.
If I'm playing at shop level against strangers, I usually let them take back a misplay once. I make exceptions against people I've seen behaving like dickwads during the day and the players that I know are generally competent. There is no mercy among my friends.
March 9, 2016 10:25 a.m.
I mirror what TheDevicer said. At FNM I'm usually lenient. Kitchen Table? Almost always. IQs, PPTQs, or GPs? Never.
March 9, 2016 1:37 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #11
Any tournament bigger than FNM, no. FNM, not with any of my friends or other players I believe to be competent. I'll give a "warning" against lower level players so they're aware that I'll let it slide, but they need to be more conscious in their play in the future because that's the only time at this tournament I'll allow it to happen.
March 9, 2016 2:03 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #12
There is a difference between your title and the body of the scenario. If no other card has been played I will generally allow retapping mana at Regular REL and casual events.
Now for taking back actual plays; if a spell has been cast, ability activated, attackers or blockers declared then there is no going back in my book. Because I am super strict about this, I often ask a question to confirm that attacks or blocks have been completed before assuming that the step is proceeding.
March 9, 2016 2:49 p.m.
PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #13
Coming at this from an EDH perspective, keeping track of colored mana can be trickey in the late game. I'll usually let someone take back their tapping if they do it immediately, like, "I cast this giant spell... Except wait, I tap for it like this instead." But I'm not super lenient when people make mistakes, realize them a few game actions later, and want to go back to fix them.
Also, I'm NEVER lenient to someone who fails to read the board. Like, if you cast Craterhoof Behemoth and attack me for lethal, but forget that I've got a Ghostly Prison in play and you can't actually afford to attack, or if attack with all your flyers past my Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts, forgetting that she'll destroy them all post combat, I will not let you take that back.
March 9, 2016 2:55 p.m.
I say no and hope the backlash isn't too bad.
It can get pretty bad, especially from any onlookers.
March 9, 2016 3:59 p.m.
DERPLINGSUPREME says... #15
usually my playgroup is fine with it every now and then.
for example, if one of us plays something without noticing a card and would die from it, we let them undo it b/c its not really their fault.
We don't let it slide, however, if this particular someone would win the game if they hadn't tapped whatever land or something similar
Mana wise, we usually let it happen as long as there's no real impact.
like, if someone accidently tapped High Market when they could've tapped a mountain and thats all they have left, its whatever, we let it go.
In general for everyone: if you're in a casual game, 2 second no other game action takesy-backsies.
March 9, 2016 6:49 p.m. Edited.
I usually look at it that if priority has been passed, and your Opponent has completed their next action, the time to take yours back has also long since passed.
Last night a guy made his play and passed turn. Another player made a play and in response he wanted to change how his mana was tapped, colour wise.
I said no because for all I knew he had planned to play a different card in hand, and changed his mind based on the action taken.
Boza says... #2
I only disallow backsies at the competitive events with something at stake. Anything else that is within the same turn is usually A-ok, unless my decisions are impacted by that.
Example:
A player taps 3 lands for Cancel. If later that turn he realized he tapped a Sunken Hollow he should not have tapped, I will allow it. But only if it will not affect the decisions I have already made that turn (i.e. I had mana open, but did not use it because of how he tapped)
March 9, 2016 8:32 a.m. Edited.