<p>There are a number of cards that have two different actions.  <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ponder">Ponder</a> is one of them.  I assume these separate actions are in sequence, and cannot be responded to by placing items on the stack in between the steps.  But, I can't confirm that in the rules.</p>
<p>Game situation in which this came up (in case this helps explain <em>why</em> one would want to do this.)</p>
<p>I have a <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lion%20Eye%20Diamond">Lion Eye Diamond</a> on the table, and I cast <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ponder">Ponder</a>.  Ponder resolves, I draw my three cards, and put them back on top of the deck.  The top of the library is now a game winner if I can get 3 more mana.  [Say it's <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Coalition%20Victory">Coalition Victory</a> but I only have RWGUB available and meet all other requirements] So, would like to fire off the Lion's Eye Diamond before I perform the second step of Ponder and draw that card.</p>
<p>Note: Lion's Eye Diamond can only be activated at instant speed (see the link) even though in all other ways it is a mana source.</p>
<p>Can I win this game this turn?  [assuming no counter spells of course...]</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-05T03:30:31.930Z
Thank you jwodder for pointing out the duplicate.  I was certain I had seen this before, but couldn't remember where.
John
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-05T03:57:15.400Z
Note that even if Lion's Eye Diamond **didn't** have that restriction, you still wouldn't be able to activate it at that time. Mana abilities can be activated whenever you have priority, *or* when you need to pay a mana cost, but this situation doesn't match either of those.
murgatroid99
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-06T16:13:54.703Z
The answers to [Can I respond to a draw from Gitaxan probe?](http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/q/23189/6692) also answer this question.
Rainbolt
<magic-the-gathering>
Are the two steps of Ponder an atomic action?
John
# Are the two steps of Ponder an atomic action?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-05)

There are a number of cards that have two different actions. [Ponder](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ponder) is one of them. I assume these separate actions are in sequence, and cannot be responded to by placing items on the stack in between the steps. But, I can't confirm that in the rules.

Game situation in which this came up (in case this helps explain *why* one would want to do this.)

I have a [Lion Eye Diamond](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lion%20Eye%20Diamond) on the table, and I cast [Ponder](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ponder). Ponder resolves, I draw my three cards, and put them back on top of the deck. The top of the library is now a game winner if I can get 3 more mana. [Say it's [Coalition Victory](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Coalition%20Victory) but I only have RWGUB available and meet all other requirements] So, would like to fire off the Lion's Eye Diamond before I perform the second step of Ponder and draw that card.

Note: Lion's Eye Diamond can only be activated at instant speed (see the link) even though in all other ways it is a mana source.

Can I win this game this turn? [assuming no counter spells of course...]

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you jwodder for pointing out the duplicate.  I was certain I had seen this before, but couldn't remember where.  
> **username_1**: Note that even if Lion's Eye Diamond **didn't** have that restriction, you still wouldn't be able to activate it at that time. Mana abilities can be activated whenever you have priority, *or* when you need to pay a mana cost, but this situation doesn't match either of those.  
> **username_2**: The answers to [Can I respond to a draw from Gitaxan probe?](http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/q/23189/6692) also answer this question.  

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