<blockquote>
<p>601.2f The player determines the total cost of the spell. Usually this is just the mana cost. Some spells have additional or alternative costs.<br />
...</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>601.2g If the total cost includes a mana payment, the player then has a chance to activate mana abilities (see rule 605, “Mana Abilities”). Mana abilities must be activated before costs are paid.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That means you have to activate Phyrexian Altar <em>before</em> paying the costs, and removing the counters is part of the costs. So what you propose won't work.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-05-06T13:33:30.550Z
I'd note that you can sacrifice a creature in response to his ability being put onto the stack, then return them back onto the battlefield when his ability resolves, however.
nick012000
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-05-04T13:33:20.863Z
2023-05-04T13:33:20.863Z
Glorfindel
<p>If I have three creatures that each have a vigilance counter on them, can I activate <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tayam%2C%20Luminous%20Enigma">Tayam, Luminous Enigma</a> by removing their vigilance counters and sacrificing them to <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Altar">Phyrexian Altar</a>?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
How does Tayam, Luminous Enigma interact with Phyrexian Altar?
Christian
# How does Tayam, Luminous Enigma interact with Phyrexian Altar?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-05-04)

If I have three creatures that each have a vigilance counter on them, can I activate [Tayam, Luminous Enigma](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tayam%2C%20Luminous%20Enigma) by removing their vigilance counters and sacrificing them to [Phyrexian Altar](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Altar)?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-05-04. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

> 601.2f The player determines the total cost of the spell. Usually this is just the mana cost. Some spells have additional or alternative costs.  
> ...

> 601.2g If the total cost includes a mana payment, the player then has a chance to activate mana abilities (see rule 605, “Mana Abilities”). Mana abilities must be activated before costs are paid.

That means you have to activate Phyrexian Altar *before* paying the costs, and removing the counters is part of the costs. So what you propose won't work.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I'd note that you can sacrifice a creature in response to his ability being put onto the stack, then return them back onto the battlefield when his ability resolves, however.  

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