Rules Tip of the Day: Abilities that trigger at the beginning of a step or phase can only trigger if the permanent with the ability is in play at the very beginning of that step or phase.

Q: Does the copy of Enduring Ideal in subsequent turns after the Ideal is played count toward Storm (i.e. for an opponent's Wing Shards)?

A: No. The Storm ability only counts spells that are played, it does not count copies of spells that are put on the stack without being played.

Q: Do the copies of spells put on the stack by an Epic triggered ability or Uyo, Silent Prophet's ability counted as played spells with respect to Erayo, Soratami Ascendant's ability?

A: No. Erayo's ability only counts spells that are played, it does not count spells that are put on the stack without being played. When a spell is played it is be announced, all of the relevant choices of this spell must be made and the cost paid. When a copy is put on the stack, it is somewhat similar but it is not the same as being played. This means that if an Epic spell is put on the stack at the beginning of a turn and this spell copy is copied by Uyo's ability, no spells have been played. In order for Erayo's ability to trigger, four other spells must still be played that turn.

Q: What, exactly, is the converted mana cost of a flipped creature (such as the Stabwhisker the Odious half of Nezumi Shortfang)? I have been under the assumption that it is zero, as is the case of morph creatures and tokens.

A: When a permanent flips many, but not all, of its characteristics change. The mana cost is one of those characteristics that does not change. So the converted mana cost of a flipped permanent is the same as the converted mana cost of the non-flipped version.

Q: I have a question about In The Web of War. If I played Natural Affinity, could I attack with my lands, each becoming 4/2-creatures?

A: No. When Natural Affinity resolves lands in play will become 2/2 creatures, but they do not come into play. Because of this, In the Web of War's ability will not trigger. So your lands will not get +2/+0 and Haste. Keep in mind that you will still be able to attack with the lands you have controlled since the beginning of your turn—it does not matter that they just became creatures.

Q: I use Sneak Attack to put a creature into play during my main phase, then in the same phase my opponent gains control of this creature. At the end of turn does the delayed triggered ability of Sneak Attack go on the stack, and if so, do I not need to sacrifice it since I don't control it anymore?

A: Yes, the delayed triggered ability will still trigger. However as you do not control the creature at this point, you cannot sacrifice it, so it will remain in play.

Q: I was in a game of Emperor when the other side's Emperor played Time Spiral. Instead of untapping six of his lands, the Emperor tried to untap six of his general's lands claiming Time Spiral allowed him to do this. Time Spiral allows you to untap up to six lands. It doesn't say your lands, but then again it doesn't say target player's lands either. I feel it's only the caster's lands that may untap. Who's right?

A: The opposing Emperor was correct. The controller of Time Spiral can choose to untap lands that he does not control. All of the cards with the "free mechanic" from Urza's block allow you to untap lands that you do not control. Time Spiral specifically states "You untap up to six lands" to specify that for this portion of the effect only the controller of Time Spiral can choose to untap six lands. This it to differentiate it from the previous instruction where all players in the game (or at least those in range of influence) shuffled their graveyard and hands into their library.

Q: I am playing storm combo and I have a ridiculous hand, one that I am definitely keeping. I am positive I can win on turn 2, but I am not sure I can win on turn 1. How long, if at all, can I write down a series of plays down in a notebook to determine if I have enough mana to storm to win?

A: There is no set time limit you have in order to make a play. You must play at a reasonable pace. What constitutes a reasonable pace is up to the presiding judge. To be honest, while I have no problem if players try to figure out their strategy, I do not think working out what you are going to do in a notebook is playing at a reasonable pace.