The Rules Arcana
ManaScholar Academy
In the making · Beginner to intermediate
The Rules ArcanaThe stack, priority and layers explained
The Rules Arcana explains the rules that confuse most players: how the stack and priority decide the order things happen in, how triggered, activated and static abilities really work, how replacement effects and the layer system work, and how keywords interact. After it, you can resolve tricky interactions yourself.
Builds on Opening Hand. Opening Hand introduces the stack, responding at instant speed and keywords such as hexproof and ward. The Rules Arcana picks up exactly where those lessons point ahead.
Coming soon
- 16 lessons in 4 modules
- English
- Built on trainings we've given since 2010
Practice it online
The course’s puzzles run on our free training platform, on a live board. The QR codes in the book lead straight to them.
- The stack and priority2 exercises
- Triggered and activated abilities2 exercises
- Layers and replacement effects3 exercises
- Keyword deep-dives5 exercises
What you’ll learn
- Put spells and abilities on the stack and resolve them in the right order
- Know when each player receives priority and what they can do with it
- Recognize triggered, activated, static and mana abilities
- Apply replacement effects and the layer system to real board states
What it will include
- 16 lessons in 4 modules
- Worked examples with real board states
- Exercises with answers
- Checklists to use at the table
- Lifetime access, including updates
- Read on phone, tablet or computer
Contents
Module 1: The stack & priority 4 lessons
The stack is the zone where spells and abilities wait to resolve. The last one added resolves first, and players can only act when they hold priority.
- What the stack is and why it exists
- Priority: who may act, and when
- Responding: last in, first out
- Things that don't use the stack
Module 2: Triggered vs. activated abilities 4 lessons
Activated abilities have a cost and a colon (cost: effect). Triggered abilities start with “when,” “whenever” or “at.” Static abilities are simply always on.
- Reading “cost: effect”
- When, whenever and at: how triggers work
- Static abilities and continuous effects
- Mana abilities and why they resolve immediately
Module 3: Layers & replacement effects 4 lessons
Replacement effects change an event as it happens, usually with the word “instead.” The layer system decides the order in which continuous effects apply.
- Replacement and prevention effects
- When several replacement effects apply
- The seven layers, in plain language
- Timestamps and dependencies
Module 4: Keyword deep-dives 4 lessons
Keywords are shorthand for longer rules. This module covers what each common keyword really does, and how they combine.
- Deathtouch, trample, first strike and double strike
- Indestructible versus exile and sacrifice
- Hexproof, ward and protection
- Reading the Comprehensive Rules when you need to
Practice 2 chapters
Put the four modules together and test yourself.
- Practice arena: twelve puzzles, from the last word on the stack to double strike with trample
- Final check: 25 questions with an answer key
Reference 6 chapters
Pages to keep beside you when an interaction gets tricky.
- The stack and priority, step by step
- The seven layers on one page
- Keyword interactions
- Card reference
- Glossary
- Answer key
Who it’s for
- Players who know the basics but get lost when several things happen at once
- Commander players facing complex boards
- Anyone preparing for their first competitive event
Requirements: Opening Hand, or comfortable playing a full game.
Questions
Do I need to read the Comprehensive Rules for this course?
No. We teach the rules you meet at the table in plain language and give rule numbers when you want to look something up yourself.
Is the layer system really something I need?
You need it less often than its reputation suggests, but when two continuous effects collide, it decides the outcome. We teach it with board states you'll actually see.
After The Rules Arcana
Strategy
Strategy teaches you how to win more games of Magic: The Gathering. You learn to measure card advantage and tempo, work out whether you should be attacking or defending, plan combat with the clock and racing math, make better mulligan and sequencing decisions, and read what your opponent is likely holding.
ManaScholar Academy is an independent educational resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored or approved by Wizards of the Coast. Magic: The Gathering is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC.