Does discard happen before end step?

Does Discard Happen Before End Step?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, the ending phase is a crucial part of the game’s mechanics. It’s during this phase that players get to take care of their cards, and one of the most important steps is the cleanup step. But when does this step take place? Does discard happen before the end step? In this article, we’ll delve into the details and provide a clear answer to this question.

The Ending Phase: A Breakdown

Before we dive into the specifics of the cleanup step, let’s take a step back and understand the ending phase as a whole. The ending phase consists of two steps: the end step and the cleanup step. The end step is the last part of the game’s turn, where players get to take care of any last-minute business.

The Cleanup Step: When Does It Happen?

Now, let’s focus on the cleanup step. This step is where players discard cards from their hand to reach their maximum hand size. According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, the cleanup step takes place after both players have passed priority during the end step.

But Does Discard Happen Before the End Step?

So, to answer the question directly: no, discard does not happen before the end step. The cleanup step occurs after the end step, which means that players do not discard cards until after they have finished their turn.

A Closer Look at the Rules

To further illustrate this point, let’s take a look at the official Magic: The Gathering rules:

• "The ending phase consists of two steps: end and cleanup." (Rule 514.1)
• "The active player immediately gets priority at the beginning of the end step." (Rule 514.2)
• "After both players have passed priority, the cleanup step takes place." (Rule 514.3)

As we can see, the rules clearly state that the cleanup step occurs after both players have passed priority during the end step. This means that discard does not happen before the end step.

Example Scenario

To make this concept more concrete, let’s consider an example scenario:

• It’s your turn, and you have 10 cards in your hand.
• You decide to play a spell that reduces your hand size to 7.
• During the end step, you get priority and pass it to your opponent.
• After your opponent has passed priority, the cleanup step takes place.
• During the cleanup step, you discard the remaining 3 cards from your hand to reach your maximum hand size of 7.

As we can see, discard does not happen until after the end step. The cleanup step occurs after both players have passed priority, which means that players do not discard cards until after they have finished their turn.

Conclusion

In conclusion, discard does not happen before the end step in Magic: The Gathering. The cleanup step takes place after both players have passed priority during the end step, which means that players do not discard cards until after they have finished their turn. By understanding the rules and the flow of the game, you can make informed decisions and improve your overall gameplay.