<p>Neither. A spell is cast after its costs are payed, before anyone has a chance to respond to it, before it resolves. From the rules:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>601.2. To cast a spell is to take it from where it is (usually the hand), put it on the stack, and pay its costs, so that it will eventually resolve and have its effect. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>So yes, if you cast Silence, it will be too late to stop any spells that are already on the stack. This is also important for effects that say "whenever you cast a spell", for example.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-13T03:35:00.543Z
The answer wasn't quite right. You need to place the card or copy on the stack, make choices (such as targets), determine cost, activate mana abilities, and pay the cost before it's cast. Fixed.
ikegami
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-13T02:16:14.607Z
2014-01-13T03:31:08.823Z
2014-01-13T03:31:08.823Z
GendoIkari
<p>Is a spell "Cast" when it is first declared and put on the stack?  Or when it resolves?</p>

<p>I used to think it was when it resolves.  But I think I am wrong.</p>

<p>For example, if my opponent puts a creature spell on the stack, then I put the spell Silence on the stack, it sounds like all spells on the stack will still resolve.  (I get that any other spells can also go on the stack and resolve until Silence resolves.)</p>

<p>So I guess that spells that use the word "Cast" mean when they are first put on the stack?</p>

<magic-the-gathering><mtg-stack>
When is a Spell considered to be "Cast"?
Vaccano
# When is a Spell considered to be "Cast"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-01-13)

Is a spell "Cast" when it is first declared and put on the stack? Or when it resolves?

I used to think it was when it resolves. But I think I am wrong.

For example, if my opponent puts a creature spell on the stack, then I put the spell Silence on the stack, it sounds like all spells on the stack will still resolve. (I get that any other spells can also go on the stack and resolve until Silence resolves.)

So I guess that spells that use the word "Cast" mean when they are first put on the stack?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering, mtg-stack


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-01-13. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

Neither. A spell is cast after its costs are payed, before anyone has a chance to respond to it, before it resolves. From the rules:

> 601.2. To cast a spell is to take it from where it is (usually the hand), put it on the stack, and pay its costs, so that it will eventually resolve and have its effect.

So yes, if you cast Silence, it will be too late to stop any spells that are already on the stack. This is also important for effects that say "whenever you cast a spell", for example.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: The answer wasn't quite right. You need to place the card or copy on the stack, make choices (such as targets), determine cost, activate mana abilities, and pay the cost before it's cast. Fixed.  

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