Ending Phase

Turn structure · beginner

Two steps: End step and Cleanup.

End step ([513])

• "At the beginning of the end step" / "at the beginning of your end step" triggers go on the stack.
• Players get priority.
• Most "do this once per turn" abilities resolve here for opponents to react before the turn ends.

This is the right time to:

• Use mana that would otherwise empty.
• Activate "until end of turn" effects you've been holding.
• Bounce an opponent's creature back to their hand at the last moment.

Cleanup step ([514])

• The active player discards down to their maximum hand size (default 7).
• All damage marked on creatures is removed.
• All "until end of turn" and "this turn" effects end.
• No one gets priority unless something triggers during cleanup. If something triggers (e.g. Lyra Dawnbringer's discard trigger), priority is given, and afterward another cleanup step happens.

Common new-player misunderstandings

• Damage doesn't "stay" on creatures across turns. It's wiped during cleanup.
• "Until end of turn" effects last through the end step but expire in cleanup.
• The start of the next turn isn't the same as cleanup. Effects that say "until your next turn" persist past cleanup.

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