Action ability
An action ability is marked by the word
Action after the ability name. A player must spend one action (or two actions, if so specified in the ability text) to use such an ability.
An ability that requires two actions to use is still considered an action ability. Card abilities that allow a player to use an action ability without spending an action allow the player to use any action ability, even those specified as requiring two actions to use (but see also
additional action).
When a player uses an action ability, that action follows a strict sequence, detailed as follows:
1. The player declares the use of the action ability.
2. Effects that trigger “before” an action ability is used occur, beginning with abilities controlled by the active player and proceeding to abilities controlled by other players, in initiative order. At this point, the action ability itself is not yet considered to have begun to occur.
3. Effects that trigger “when” or “if” an action ability is used occur, beginning with abilities controlled by the active player and proceeding to abilities controlled by other players, in initiative order. These effects “interrupt” the action ability whose use triggered them, and are resolved before the action ability itself is resolved.
4. The action ability is resolved.
5. Effects that trigger “after” an action ability is used occur, beginning with abilities controlled by the active player and proceeding to abilities controlled by other players, in initiative order. These effects do not “interrupt” the action ability whose use triggered them; the action ability is resolved first, then the response.