Can Players Use Mid-Stack Magic Spells?

In Magic the Gathering (MTG), spells and effects can be placed on the stack at any time, even after spells have started to resolve. However, players cannot cast a spell after the stack has resolved on their opponent’s turn, as the player whose turn it is has priority. If an effect instructs or allows a player to cast a spell during resolution, they do so by following the steps in rules 601.2a–i, except no player receives priority after it’s cast.

Any spell, non-mana activated ability, or triggered ability will use the stack in the same way as described above. Priority is the right to cast a spell, activate an ability, or take a special action. Players cannot cast spells, activate abilities, or take special actions at a time when they do not have priority. When a spell is cast, the physical card is put on the stack (see rule 601.2a). When an ability is activated or triggers, it goes on top of the stack without any card associated with it (see rules 602.2a and 603.3).

Spells and abilities are put on top of the stack as the first step of being played, and are removed from it as the last step of resolving. Any spell or ability that uses the stack can be “responded to” by all players, meaning players have a chance to play spells and abilities with it still on the stack.

Casting spells mid-stack is a fundamental part of MTG’s strategy, allowing players to respond to their opponent’s actions and create a stack of spells. A player may cast an instant spell any time they have priority, while a non-instant spell can be cast during their turn. The player with priority can put as many spells or abilities on the stack as they wish, but before anything can resolve, all players must “pass priority”.

Players can only respond to a spell or ability when they have priority. After an item is placed on the stack, the active player gets priority.