Recommended Free Tools
Yes. You can cast an instant during combat whenever you have priority. The clearest chances are after attackers are declared and after blockers are declared; there is no chance to cast a spell between combat damage being assigned and dealt.
When can you cast an instant during combat?
Magic’s combat phase proceeds through beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, one or more combat-damage steps, and end of combat. Players receive priority at relevant points in that sequence, and an instant can be cast when its player has priority. Wizards’ combat-phase walkthrough explains the sequence and priority windows.
After attackers are declared
Once attackers have been declared, players get a chance to act before blockers are chosen. You can cast an instant in this window—for example, to change a creature’s power or otherwise affect combat before the defending player decides whether and how to block.
After blockers are declared
After blockers are declared, the active player receives priority first. If that player passes, the nonactive player can respond. Players may continue taking actions as priority passes between them. A combat trick may be more informative here because you know which creatures are blocking; Wizards uses casting Titanic Growth after blockers are declared as an example.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes a mix of AT LEAST 25 Rares/Uncommons which is half of the cards.
- Absolutely NO... Basic lands, Foreign, or silver/gold bordered cards.
- Some may contain Foils or Mythics but not all.
- Sets can range from Beta to the current Magic the Gathering set.
- Mint/Excellent condition only.
Two consecutive passes move the game forward. Once both players pass and the game advances out of a window, that window does not reopen simply because a player changes their mind.
Can you cast a spell before combat damage?
Yes, if you mean after blockers are declared but before the combat-damage step begins: players can act in the priority window there. But once the combat-damage step is underway, there is no priority window between damage being assigned and dealt. You cannot wait to see the assigned damage and then cast an instant to prevent it.
Rank #2
- LEARN THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF MAGIC—Your Magic: The Gathering journey begins with a friend beside you! Play your first game in a guided battle of Aang versus Zuko. Choose your side and send your forces to your opponent while learning essential gameplay lessons
- GUIDED LEARN-TO-PLAY EXPERIENCE—Start by playing a tutorial game with two 20-card decks, each with a step-by-step guide booklet that will walk you through your first game
- CREATE THEMED DECKS—Once you’ve conquered the basics, master the remaining elements by combining any two of the eight 20-card half-decks into a full 40-card Avatar: The Last Airbender-themed deck; mix and match to try different combos!
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY—This Beginner Box includes everything you and a friend need to play, including 2 Playboards that will show you where to place your cards, 2 Spindowns to track your life totals, and 1 Rules Reference booklet to answer any questions you have along the way
- WELCOME TO THE GATHERING—Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that weaves deep strategy, gorgeous art, fantastical stories, and a thriving fan community all together into a card game experience like no other
Players do receive priority after combat damage has been dealt, but an instant cast then cannot undo damage that already happened. First strike or double strike can create separate combat-damage steps; if the game proceeds to a later damage step, players can get another opportunity between those steps.
How does combat damage work with multiple blockers?
Under the current rules, when one attacker is blocked by multiple creatures, its controller assigns that attacker’s damage among those blockers during the combat-damage step. The Foundations update removed the former damage-assignment-order procedure. For trample, the attacker’s controller must assign lethal damage to its blockers before assigning excess damage to the attacked player, planeswalker, or battle. See Wizards’ Foundations Update Bulletin and Foundations mechanics overview.
Rank #3
- Duplicate-free assortment of 25 random Rare cards.
- May contain Foils, Mythic Rares, or Planeswalkers.
- (No card pictured is guaranteed.)
What if the spell is not an instant?
Instants are generally cast whenever their player has priority, subject to the card’s text and other restrictions. Flash grants that same timing permission to a non-instant spell. Neither permission overrides a specific effect that prohibits casting a spell or changes when it can be cast. Wizards defines instant, flash, first strike, double strike, and combat damage in its keyword glossary; its Comprehensive Rules are the reference for detailed interactions and corner cases.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you wait to cast your instant?
Waiting until after blockers are known can make a combat trick more effective, but it also means the opponent may act first if they have priority. Wizards author Gavin Verhey’s advice to “wait on your instants” is a strategic rule of thumb, not a separate timing rule. The actual opportunity depends on priority, the game state, and the card’s text.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Condition:New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item -
- 1 Magic the Gathering MTG Cards Lot w/ Rares and Foils INSTANT COLLECTION !!!
- Brand:Wizards of the Coast MPN:215236245 Recommended Age Range:6+ Country/Region of Manufacture:United States Year:215 Gender:Boys & Girls Character Family:Magic the Gathering
- A balanced array of colors every time guaranteed. Nearly equal Blue, Black, Green, Red and White Magic cards plus multi-colored cards, artifacts and non-basic lands. Cards will be near mint condition or better, All Authentic Wizards of the Coast Magic: the Gathering Cards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
