Did I have priority in this scenario?
Asked by ColonialKickass 14 years ago
So my friend had a 1/1 creature out and he attacked with it. I let it by and then he played two giant growths on it. I then said that I was playing Burst Lightning on the creature before he put the giant growths on. He said I couldn't do this because they were already on it. I didn't argue even though it was in a tournament, but I ended up winning. Who was right here?
Jarrod_0067 says... #2
Okay
If he activated both Giant Growth s at the same time without letting one resolve, then the stack would look like this:
Since the stack resolves in reverse order, the events would be like this:Burst Lightning deals 2 damage to the 1/1. As a state based effect, it is sent to the graveyard. Giant Growth no longer has a target (fizzles). Giant Growth no longer has a target (fizzles).
I take it this is what happened. You were right.
HOWEVER, if he he had played a Giant Growth and passed priority (which is smarter), and you activated Burst Lightning , the stack would look like this:
At this point, he has priority again. He then casts the second Giant Growth .Resolving in reverse order, Giant Growth resolves and the creature gets +3/+3 (becomes a 4/4), Burst Lightning deals 2 damage to the 4/4 (not enough to kill it), Giant Growth resolves and the creature gets +3/+3 (becomes a 7/7 [technically 7/5 since it took 2 damage]).In other words, it is a typical case of WHERE WAS THE JUDGE? XD
November 29, 2010 3:18 a.m.
MagnorCriol says... #3
Jarrod's precisely right here. The moral of the story is your opponent made a dumb play. =p
And Jarrod's right about another thing (indirectly) - the judges are there at tournament play for a reason, or at least they should be there. Don't ever hesitate to call one over. I've been screwed out of wins because in the match I didn't want to argue it, only to look things up later and find out I was right - and would've won if I'd called someone over to verify. At least you still won this one! =)
November 29, 2010 3:26 a.m.
π_is_the_word says... #5
Why didn't you call a Judge???
The basics of priority and the stack were on your side. You were correct and letting him get the Giant Growths off could have had a major influence on the game. You are lucky that you won.
November 29, 2010 12:20 p.m.
iamnoah262 says... #6
Haha I always find it funny when someone totally knows what they are talking about, but lets people get away with stuff. You should have taught him the lesson of the stack that we all must learn and all hate learning the first time =p
I lost my first draft because I was unaware of the stack.
November 29, 2010 12:34 p.m.
I lost my first pre-release because I would use removal on creatures blocking my infect creatures before they were done delcaring blockers. So many players take advantage of new players. Usually if someone wants to take something back, i'll let them, unless it will immediately win them the game, because everyone makes mistakes and w/e.
Learning magic lessons suck.
November 29, 2010 6:31 p.m.
π_is_the_word says... #8
@Leafs_suck I agree, unless your in a Tournament situation. Money trumps being nice to a noob.
MagnorCriol says... Accepted answer #1
You were correct.
Before a spell resolves from the stack and has its effect, priority passes to the opposing player (or in play order through all players if it's multiplayer - but let's not complicate this).
So when he cast the Giant Growth s, he had priority; but before they could come off the stack and make his creature 7/7, priority would've had to pass to you, at which point you could put your Burst Lightning on the stack. The Burst then resolves first and his spells would fizzle.
November 29, 2010 2:23 a.m.