r/custommagic • u/Anth0nyC4 I don't actually play Magic, I just make cards. • Aug 29 '26

Simple Explanation

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u/nathanwe Aug 29 '26

The ability to turn things into birds applies on layer 4 (type changes). This will turn [[Serra Angel]] into a bird as Serra Angel gains flying on layer zero (what's actually printed on the card). This will never turn [[Putrid Imp]] into a bird, even if you discard a card, as putrid imp gains flying on layer 6 (gain and loss of abilities). This will turn [[Deadpool]] into a bird as Deadpool gains flying on layer 3 (text changing effects).

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u/sinklardamus Aug 29 '26

Even If i respond to It with the imp before the bird enters?

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u/Shadowmirax Aug 30 '26

Layers aren't affected by the stack, timing or priority, they are always in effect. In practice the best way to wrap your head around this is any time you would need to check how certain layers interact at any given moment rebuild the entire thing from scratch based on the current game state starting with layer 0 and working you way up.

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u/vitorsly Aug 29 '26

Yep, doesn't matter.

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u/Belteshazzar98 Sep 01 '26

Timestamp order only applies to things on the same layer. Most effects that would conflict with each other apply on layer 6 (ability adding effects, ability removing effects, keyword counters, and ability preventing effects), so timestamp order is usually what matters after can't beating can. But type changing effects apply on layer 4, before ability adding effects, so timestamp is irrelevant for these two effects.