A Summary of Recent Rules Changes
June 2003

Compiled by the Magic: The Gathering Rules Team

The June 2003 version of the Magic Comprehensive Rules includes a number of rules changes and clarifications. These rules changes are effective as of June 1, 2003.


1) Declaring blockers -- The rules for declaring blockers have undergone significant changes in order to clarify the process.

"500. Legal Attacks and Blocks

500.1. Compute the total number of attacking creatures. Enter this amount on line 37 of form 2015.

500.2. Enter the total number of attacking unblockable creatures on line 38 of form 2015, unless you are using form 2015b, Combat Where Creatures Cannot Be Blocked, in which case go to instruction set 800.4h.

500.3. Deduct the amount on line 38 of form 2015 from line 37 of that form. Cross-reference this number on chart 46b, Blockable Per-Combat Concerns. Enter the cross-referenced amount on line 39 of form 2015.

500.4. Attach form 10297, Creatures That Must Block. Carry over the amount on line 72 of that form onto line 39 of form 2015.

500.5. Subtract line 39 of form 2015 from line 4 of your W-7, your Annual Untapped Assets. Enter this amount on line 40 of form 2015.

500.6. Compute your blocks. Enter your total blocks on lines 41-44. Append form 2015f if you exceed four lines.

500.7. If the computed number of blocks exceeds the amount written on line 45 of form 2015, go to step 500.1."


2) The draw step -- in order to bring the draw step more in line with the style in which the rules have been written for blocking, three paragraphs have been added.

"304.2. When the draw step action resolves, the active player draws some number of cards.

304.3. Count how many cards the active player drew.

304.4. If the active player drew more than one card, put the cards back. Go to 304.2 and re-resolve the draw step action."

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A Summary of Recent Rules Changes
June 2003

Compiled by the Magic: The Gathering Rules Team

The June 2003 version of the Magic Comprehensive Rules includes a number of rules changes and clarifications. These rules changes are effective as of June 1, 2003.


1) Declaring blockers -- The rules for declaring blockers have undergone significant changes in order to clarify the process.

"500. Legal Attacks and Blocks

500.1. Compute the total number of attacking creatures. Enter this amount on line 37 of form 2015.

500.2. Enter the total number of attacking unblockable creatures on line 38 of form 2015, unless you are using form 2015b, Combat Where Creatures Cannot Be Blocked, in which case go to instruction set 800.4h.

500.3. Deduct the amount on line 38 of form 2015 from line 37 of that form. Cross-reference this number on chart 46b, Blockable Per-Combat Concerns. Enter the cross-referenced amount on line 39 of form 2015.

500.4. Attach form 10297, Creatures That Must Block. Carry over the amount on line 72 of that form onto line 39 of form 2015.

500.5. Subtract line 39 of form 2015 from line 4 of your W-7, your Annual Untapped Assets. Enter this amount on line 40 of form 2015.

500.6. Compute your blocks. Enter your total blocks on lines 41-44. Append form 2015f if you exceed four lines.

500.7. If the computed number of blocks exceeds the amount written on line 45 of form 2015, go to step 500.1."


2) The draw step -- in order to bring the draw step more in line with the style in which the rules have been written for blocking, three paragraphs have been added.

"304.2. When the draw step action resolves, the active player draws some number of cards.

304.3. Count how many cards the active player drew.

304.4. If the active player drew more than one card, put the cards back. Go to 304.2 and re-resolve the draw step action."

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!