Learning how "The Stack" works is the first big level-up for most Magic players. It explains how spells resolve. But while the Stack tells you what happens, there is a deeper, more important rule that tells you when things happen: Priority.
Priority is the heartbeat of the game. It is the invisible system that decides who gets to act and when. While we often talk about "responding" to opponents, few players truly understand the rules that give them permission to do so.
When you don’t understand priority, you are stuck playing reactively, just waiting for your opponent to move. When you master priority, you can control the flow of the turn, set up complex traps, and use the rules as a weapon.
Below is a breakdown of how priority works, how it moves between players, and how you can use it to win. For a beginner friendly Magic the Gathering overview check out Our Guide on Rules, Tips & Best Formats for Beginners.
What is Priority in Magic? The Right to Act
Simply put, priority is your permission slip to do anything. You cannot cast a spell, activate an ability, or play a land unless you have priority.
Think of the game constantly asking one specific player: "Do you want to do something right now?"
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If you have priority, you can add something to the stack.
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If you don’t, you have to wait.
The beauty of Magic lies in the strict rules of how this permission slip is passed back and forth. (New to the basics? See our MTG Triggers for Beginners: A Simple Guide to the Stack).
The MTG Golden Rule: APNAP
Priority follows one major rule: APNAP (Active Player, Non-Active Player).
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Active Player (AP): The person whose turn it is.
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Non-Active Player (NAP): The opponent.
Whenever a step or phase begins, the Active Player always gets priority first.
To move to the next step of the game, both players must pass priority in a row while the stack is empty. This ensures that the game never moves forward until both players agree they are done doing things.
MTG Priority Through the Turn
Here is how priority moves during a standard turn.
1. Beginning Phase
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Untap Step: Permanents untap automatically. No one gets priority here.
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Upkeep Step: This is the first time players can act.
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"At the beginning of upkeep" triggers go on the stack first.
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The AP gets priority to use Instants.
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If the AP does nothing, priority passes to the NAP. This is the opponent's first chance to act (e.g., tapping down a land).
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Draw Step:
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The AP draws their card immediately (this happens before priority).
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The AP then gets priority.
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Strategy Note: If the AP passes, the NAP gets a window to use instant-speed discard effects before the Active Player can use the card they just drew in their Main Phase.
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2. Main Phase
This is where the game slows down for Sorceries, Creatures, and Lands.
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The AP gets priority.
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Playing a Land is a special action that doesn't use the stack.
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Casting a spell (like Grizzly Bears) puts it on the stack.
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Key Rule: After the AP casts a spell, they technically get priority back immediately. Usually, we assume they pass it to see if the opponent responds, but retaining it allows for specific combos (see "Self-Response" below).
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Once the AP is done, they pass to the NAP. The opponent can now cast counterspells.
(Planning your Main Phase tactics? Check out our MTG Main Phase Strategy Guide ).
3. Combat Phase: The Complex Part
Combat is split into five steps, and players must pass priority in each one.
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Beginning of Combat: The AP gets priority. This is the last moment the NAP can tap a creature (e.g., using Icy Manipulator) to stop it from attacking.
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Declare Attackers: The AP chooses attackers (doesn't use the stack). Then, priority goes around.
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Declare Blockers: The NAP assigns blockers (doesn't use the stack). Then, priority goes around.
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Strategy Note: This is the best time to use pump spells (like Giant Growth) because you know exactly how blocks are set up.
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Combat Damage: Damage is dealt immediately. Priority happens after things die. It is too late to save a creature here.
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End of Combat: One final window for effects before the second Main Phase.
(Combat requires precision. For more detail, read our MTG Combat Phase Breakdown).
4. Ending Phase
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End Step: "At end of turn" triggers happen. The AP gets priority. This is usually when the opponent (NAP) casts their Instants so they can untap all their mana on their own turn.
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Cleanup Step: The AP discards down to 7 cards. Damage wears off. Usually, no one gets priority here unless a specific trigger happens (like discarding a card with Madness).
Using MTG Priority as a Weapon
Understanding the rules is step one; using them to win is step two.
1. Retaining Priority (The Self-Response)
Usually, you cast a spell and let your opponent respond. But you are allowed to "Hold Priority" to respond to your own spell.
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Example: You cast an Aura on your creature. You know your opponent has a Doom Blade.
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Normal Play: You cast the Aura and pass. The opponent casts Doom Blade. Their spell resolves first, killing your creature. Your Aura fizzles.
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Holding Priority: You cast the Aura, but explicitly state you are holding priority. You immediately cast Tamiyo's Safekeeping (giving Hexproof/Indestructible). Now, your protection is on top of the stack. Even if they try to kill it now, your protection resolves first.
2. The Bluff
Because you have to pass priority to end a step, how you pass sends a message.
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Passing instantly tells the opponent you have no responses.
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Pausing to check your hand or lands before passing implies you might have a response. This creates an "informational gap." If you make your opponent think you have a counterspell, they might play conservatively, buying you time. (Interested in the mental game? Read our MTG Special Actions Guide: Rules, List & Strategies 2025).
Conclusion: From Reacting to Orchestrating
Priority isn't just a rulebook technicality; it is the flow of the game. Mastering the APNAP cycle changes Magic from a series of random events into a choreographed dance.
Start paying attention to the invisible question: "Do you want to proceed?" Assert your priority when you need to, and analyze why your opponent is passing theirs. Once you do, priority becomes just as powerful as the cards in your hand.
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