When Can You Use Planeswalker Abilities? | A Guide for Magic: The Gathering Players

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Planeswalkers are one of the most iconic and powerful card types in Magic: the Gathering. They can be used to control the flow of the game, either by protecting your own creatures or destroying your opponent’s. But when exactly can you use planeswalker abilities?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the rules for using planeswalker abilities, and we’ll explore some of the strategic considerations that go into using them effectively. We’ll also provide some tips on how to play around planeswalkers, so that you can come out on top even when your opponent has one or more of these powerful cards in play.

So without further ado, let’s get started!

| When Can You Use Planeswalker Abilities? | Description |
|—|—|
| Before a spell you cast resolves | You can activate a planeswalker’s ability before a spell you cast resolves. This can be useful for protecting your planeswalker from removal spells, or for getting extra value out of your spells. |
| During your turn | You can activate a planeswalker’s ability during your turn, but only during your main phase and before you’ve cast a spell. This is because planeswalker abilities are considered spells, and you can’t cast spells during your turn after you’ve already cast a spell. |
| At any time | You can activate a planeswalker’s ability at any time, even during your opponent’s turn. This can be useful for disrupting your opponent’s plans, or for getting extra value out of your planeswalker. |

When Can You Use a Planeswalker’s Loyalty Ability?

Planeswalkers are powerful creatures that can use their loyalty abilities to affect the game in a variety of ways. However, there are some restrictions on when you can use a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities.

During your turn, in the main phase, after you’ve played a land

This is the most common time to use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability. You can activate a planeswalker’s loyalty ability during your turn, in the main phase, after you’ve played a land. This is because you need to have priority to activate an ability, and you only have priority during your turn, in the main phase, after you’ve played a land.

When a planeswalker is declared as an attacker

You can also use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability when a planeswalker is declared as an attacker. This is because planeswalkers are creatures, and creatures can attack. When a planeswalker is declared as an attacker, it gains an attack trigger. This trigger goes on the stack and can be responded to. If the trigger resolves, the planeswalker attacks. You can then activate the planeswalker’s loyalty ability before the planeswalker deals damage.

When a planeswalker is declared as a blocker

You can also use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability when a planeswalker is declared as a blocker. This is because planeswalkers are creatures, and creatures can block. When a planeswalker is declared as a blocker, it gains a block trigger. This trigger goes on the stack and can be responded to. If the trigger resolves, the planeswalker blocks. You can then activate the planeswalker’s loyalty ability before the planeswalker deals damage.

When a planeswalker dies

You can also use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability when a planeswalker dies. This is because planeswalkers are creatures, and creatures can die. When a planeswalker dies, it goes to the graveyard. You can then activate the planeswalker’s loyalty ability before the planeswalker is put into the graveyard.

What Happens When You Use a Planeswalker’s Loyalty Ability?

When you use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability, you lose loyalty counters equal to the cost of the ability. The ability then resolves and its effect happens. The planeswalker’s loyalty may change as a result of the ability.

You lose loyalty counters equal to the cost of the ability

When you use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability, you lose loyalty counters equal to the cost of the ability. For example, if you activate a planeswalker’s ability that costs 2 loyalty counters, you will lose 2 loyalty counters from that planeswalker.

The ability resolves and its effect happens

Once you have lost the required number of loyalty counters, the planeswalker’s ability will resolve and its effect will happen. For example, if you activate a planeswalker’s ability that lets you draw a card, you will draw a card.

The planeswalker’s loyalty may change as a result of the ability

The planeswalker’s loyalty may change as a result of the ability. For example, if you activate a planeswalker’s ability that lets you gain 2 loyalty counters, the planeswalker will gain 2 loyalty counters.

Planeswalkers are powerful creatures that can use their loyalty abilities to affect the game in a variety of ways. However, there are some restrictions on when you can use a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities. You can use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability during your turn, in the main phase, after you’ve played a land. You can also use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability when a planeswalker is declared as an attacker or a blocker. Finally, you can use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability when a planeswalker dies.

When you use a planeswalker’s loyalty ability, you lose loyalty counters equal to the cost of the ability. The ability then resolves and its effect happens. The planeswalker’s loyalty may change as a result of the ability.

When Can You Use Planeswalker Abilities?

Planeswalker abilities can be used at any time during your turn, except during the declare blockers step and the combat damage step. This means that you can use a planeswalker’s ability before or after you attack, before or after you cast spells, and before or after you activate other abilities.

However, you can only use each of a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities once per turn. This means that if you use a planeswalker’s +1 ability, you cannot use that same ability again until your next turn.

You can use a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities in any order. This means that you can use a planeswalker’s +1 ability first, then its -2 ability, or vice versa. You can also use both abilities on the same turn, if you have the mana to pay for them.

How Many Times Can You Use a Planeswalker’s Loyalty Ability in a Turn?

You can use each of a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities only once per turn. This means that if you use a planeswalker’s +1 ability, you cannot use that same ability again until your next turn.

You can use a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities in any order. This means that you can use a planeswalker’s +1 ability first, then its -2 ability, or vice versa. You can also use both abilities on the same turn, if you have the mana to pay for them.

What Happens If a Planeswalker’s Loyalty Reaches 0?

If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches 0, the planeswalker is put into the graveyard. This means that you lose control of the planeswalker and it can no longer be used to activate its abilities.

If you control no planeswalkers, you lose the game. This means that if your only planeswalker is put into the graveyard, you lose the game immediately.

Additional Resources:

  • [Planeswalker Abilities on Wizards of the Coast](https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Planeswalker_ability)
  • [Planeswalker Abilities on Gatherer](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=424788)

Planeswalker abilities are a powerful tool that can be used to control the game. By understanding when you can use planeswalker abilities, how many times you can use them, and what happens if a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches 0, you can use planeswalkers to their full potential.

When Can You Use Planeswalker Abilities?

Planeswalker abilities can be used at any time during your turn, except during the untap step. This means that you can use them during your main phase, your combat phase, or your end step. You can also use them during your opponent’s turn, if you have priority.

However, there are a few restrictions on when you can use planeswalker abilities. First, you can only use one planeswalker ability per turn. Second, you can only use a planeswalker ability if you have enough mana to pay its cost. Third, you can only use a planeswalker ability if the planeswalker is on the battlefield.

Here are some specific examples of when you can use planeswalker abilities:

  • You can use a planeswalker’s +1 ability during your main phase, before you attack.
  • You can use a planeswalker’s -2 ability during your combat phase, after you declare attackers.
  • You can use a planeswalker’s -X ability during your end step, before you draw your card.
  • You can use a planeswalker’s ultimate ability during your opponent’s turn, if you have priority.

Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. The specific rules for when you can use planeswalker abilities can vary depending on the game situation. So, if you’re ever unsure about whether or not you can use a planeswalker ability, it’s best to consult the comprehensive rules.

Planeswalker abilities are a powerful tool that can be used to turn the tide of a game. However, it is important to understand when and how to use them effectively. By following the tips in this article, you can use Planeswalker abilities to their full potential and become a more formidable opponent.

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Dale Richard
Dale Richard
Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.