Tapped Out

January is a month of resolutions, which are sort of like rules, right? Today I look at tapping creatures and an associated nuance.

The comprehensive rules make it clear that most creatures cannot attack or use an activated ability with the tap symbol the turn they enter the battlefield:

• 302.6. A creature’s activated ability with the tap symbol or the untap symbol in its activation cost can’t be activated unless the creature has been under its controller’s control continuously since their most recent turn began. A creature can’t attack unless it has been under its controller’s control continuously since their most recent turn began. This rule is informally called the “summoning sickness” rule.

The exception are creatures with haste:

• 702.10. Haste 
• 702.10a Haste is a static ability. 
• 702.10b If a creature has haste, it can attack even if it hasn’t been controlled by its controller continuously since their most recent turn began. (See rule 302.6.) 
• 702.10c If a creature has haste, its controller can activate its activated abilities whose cost includes the tap symbol or the untap symbol even if that creature hasn’t been controlled by that player continuously since their most recent turn began. (See rule 302.6.)

Now, a quick refresher on activated abilities:

• 602.1. Activated abilities have a cost and an effect. They are written as “[Cost]: [Effect.] [Activation instructions (if any).]”
• 602.5. A player can’t begin to activate an ability that’s prohibited from being activated. 
• 602.5a A creature’s activated ability with the tap symbol ({T}) or the untap symbol ({Q}) in its activation cost can’t be activated unless the creature has been under its controller’s control since the start of their most recent turn. Ignore this rule for creatures with haste (see rule 702.10).

For today, the key words are "tap symbol." In the text-based rulebook, that is shown as {T}. On cards, it is:

And is shown on many cards. One example:

From the rules, we know that Prodigal Pyromancer could not use his activated ability (and thus deal 1 damage to target creature or player) on the turn he entered the battlefield. Pretty straightforward. What's not as clear—and the reason I'm writing on this topic—is that cards whose activation cost do not include a tap symbol but may involve tapping can be used the turn they come in to play. Consider Skystrike Officer:

Skystrike Officer's activated ability has a cost: "Tap three untapped Soldiers you control." The effect is to "Draw a card." Because there is no tap symbol in the activated ability cost, and this creature is a Soldier, Skystrike Officer can be tapped the turn it enters the battlefield to pay this specific cost. And other Soldier creatures you control are the same- they can be tapped the turn they enter the battlefield to pay this specific cost. This is a nuance but an important one.

The ability to tap a creature the turn it enters the battlefield can be an important advantage on an opponent, so bear this in mind. Pay attention to the details–it can open up possibilities.