Upkeep - At the start of each turn, players may perform pre-turn actions such as triggering card abilities that occur during the Upkeep phase.
First Main - The main step of the turn, players may buy cards and cast all types of spells during this phase if it is their turn.
Begin Attack - A brief intermediary phase before the attack phase, during which players may use only instant spells and activated abilities.
Declare Attackers - If the current turn player has creatures that can attack, they may choose to declare them as attackers during this phase. This phase is skipped if no creatures are able to attack.
Declare Blockers - Players who are being attacked, and have creatures that can block, may choose to declare them as blockers during this phase.
Attack - Once attackers and blockers have been declared, damage is calculated and applied, and the battle concludes.
Post Attack - Another brief intermediary phase after the attack phase, during which players may use only instant spells and activated abilities.
Second Main - Another main step of the turn, players may buy cards and cast all types of spells during this phase if it is their turn.
End Step - The end of the turn, where players may perform post-turn actions such as triggering card abilities that occur during the End Step phase.
Cleanup - The current turn player discards down to their maximum hand size (usually 1 card), and all casted sorceries and instants from all players are moved to their owner's Discard pile.
Draw - The current turn player draws 4 cards, and any 'until end of turn' effects and any damage to creatures dealt this turn wears off. The next player then commences their turn and the Upkeep phase begins again.
The current phase is indicated on the middle panel, above the players hand, for easy reference during gameplay.
