How do you hold priority in MTG?

How do you hold priority in Magic: The Gathering?

Holding priority in Magic: The Gathering is crucial to make the most of your turns and outmaneuver your opponents. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of holding priority in MTG, including how to do it, when to do it, and what happens when you hold priority.

What is Priority in MTG?

In MTG, priority refers to the ability to perform actions on your turn before your opponents can respond. When you hold priority, you get to play spells, activate abilities, and take special actions before your opponents can react.

How to Hold Priority in MTG

To hold priority in MTG, you need to be the active player on your turn. This means you need to be the one whose turn it is, and you need to be in a position to perform actions. Here are the steps to hold priority:

• Cast a spell or activate an ability: When you cast a spell or activate an ability, you automatically get priority.
• Pass priority: If you’re done performing actions, you can pass priority to the next player.
• Hold priority: If you want to perform additional actions, you can hold priority and allow your opponents to pass without adding anything to the stack.

When to Hold Priority in MTG

You should hold priority when you want to:

• Cast multiple spells in a row: If you have multiple spells to cast, holding priority allows you to cast them one after the other without giving your opponents a chance to respond.
• Activate abilities in sequence: If you have multiple abilities to activate, holding priority allows you to activate them in the order you want, without interruption.
• Take special actions: If you want to take special actions, such as using a ability that triggers at instant speed, holding priority ensures you can do so before your opponents can respond.

What Happens When You Hold Priority in MTG

When you hold priority, the following happens:

• Opponents can’t respond: Your opponents can’t respond to the actions you’re taking while you hold priority.
• Stack is frozen: The stack is frozen, meaning no one can add or remove cards from the stack until you pass priority.
• You get to resolve: You get to resolve your actions before your opponents can respond.

Do’s and Don’ts of Holding Priority in MTG

Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when holding priority in MTG:

DO:

• Hold priority when you have multiple spells to cast: This allows you to cast multiple spells in a row without giving your opponents a chance to respond.
• Hold priority when you have multiple abilities to activate: This allows you to activate multiple abilities in sequence without interruption.
• Hold priority when you want to take special actions: This ensures you can take special actions without your opponents being able to respond.

DON’T:

• Hold priority too long: Holding priority for too long can give your opponents too much time to respond and can lead to missed opportunities.
• Hold priority when you don’t have multiple spells or abilities to cast: Holding priority without a good reason can give your opponents too much time to respond and can lead to missed opportunities.
• Hold priority when you’re not the active player: You can only hold priority when you’re the active player, so don’t try to hold priority when it’s not your turn.

Conclusion

Holding priority in MTG is a powerful tool that can give you an edge over your opponents. By understanding how to hold priority, when to hold priority, and what happens when you hold priority, you can improve your gameplay and become a better Magic player. Remember to hold priority when you have multiple spells to cast, multiple abilities to activate, or when you want to take special actions. Avoid holding priority too long, and only hold priority when you’re the active player. With practice and experience, you’ll become a master of holding priority and dominating your opponents on the battlefield.