View source for Beginning phase

The '''beginning phase''' is the first [[phase]] in a [[turn]]. It consists of three [[step]]s, in order:
*[[#Untap step|Untap step]]
*[[#Upkeep step|Upkeep step]]
*[[#Draw step|Draw step]]
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{{CR+G|Beginning Phase}}

==Untap step==
The '''untap step''' is the first step of the beginning phase. The following events happen during the untap step, in order:

*All [[permanent]]s with [[phasing]] controlled by the [[active player]] phase out, and all phased-out permanents that were controlled by the active player simultaneously phase in. Note the timing which means tapped permanents phasing in will almost immediately get to untap.
*If the [[day and night]] cycle has started, the number of spells cast in the previous turn is checked, and if the appropriate conditions are met, day turns to night or night turns to day, including the transformation of [[Daybound and Nightbound]] permanents.
*The active player determines which permanents controlled by that player untap, then untaps all those permanents simultaneously. (The player will untap all permanents they control unless a card effect prevents this.)

No player receives [[priority]] during this step so spells or abilities cannot be played. Any [[state-based effects]] or [[triggered ability|triggered abilities]] that happen during this step are delayed until the [[upkeep step]].
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==Upkeep step==
The '''upkeep step''' is the second step of the beginning phase. At the beginning of the upkeep step, any abilities that trigger either during the untap step or at the beginning of upkeep go on the stack. Then the active player gains [[priority]] the first time during their turn.

'''Upkeep costs''' were formerly a specific type of [[cost]] paid for permanents in play "during your upkeep", but are now [[triggered ability|triggered abilities]] prompting for payments which activate at the beginning of the upkeep step. It can be paid to gain something (<c>Farmstead</c>), or to prevent a negative consequence (<c>Force of Nature</c>), especially to avoid the [[sacrifice]] of the permanent (<c>Nicol Bolas</c>). This last use is what the step is named after - paying for the "upkeep" of the permanent to keep it alive - although this kind of upkeep cost is rarely used as a game mechanic anymore. [[Cumulative upkeep]] is a keyword ability variation of the mechanic.

When [[Richard Garfield]] first made ''Magic'', he was very excited by upkeep costs. However , players didn’t generally like them. They caused memory issues, and created problems at sanctioned tournaments, so they are used infrequently.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/741173574664159232|title=Will upkeep costs ever return?|February 1, 2024}}</ref>

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==Draw step==
The '''draw step''' is the third step of the beginning phase. The following events occur during this phase, in order:

*The [[active player]] draws a card from their [[library]].
*Any abilities that trigger at the beginning of the draw step go on the stack.
*The active player gains [[priority]].

{{CR+G|Draw Step}}

==References==
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