At what point can I activate mana abilities?

Asked by TehGrief 6 months ago

I am trying to understand this comprehensive rule:

605.3a "A player may activate an activated mana ability whenever they have priority, whenever they are casting a spell or activating an ability that requires a mana payment, or whenever a rule or effect asks for a mana payment, even if it’s in the middle of casting or resolving a spell or activating or resolving an ability."

Does this mean that I need to have a reason to tap a land for mana, such as a cost? I cannot tap my lands to produce mana for no reason?

For example, am I able to tap Forbidden Orchard without paying a cost in order to give an opponent the 1/1 token?

Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1

You don't need to have a reason.

The first item in that list, "whenever they have priority", allows players to activate mana abilities at any time they'd normally be able to take an action. The other items in that list give players special permission to also activate mana abilities at times they normally wouldn't be able to take an action (because they don't have priority at those times), but only if a mana payment is needed at that specific time.

Keep in mind that if you pass priority with unused mana still in your mana pool, you're supposed to let other players know how much mana is still in your pool.

May 16, 2024 11:53 a.m. Edited.