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When is the last moment you could play a hidden card during a losing showdown if the opponent doesn't trigger anything?

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FAQ #8146·asked by 184979331427205120·January 4, 2026·Rules v1.4·Asked before Vendetta
Answer

Ruling: During a losing showdown, the last moment to play a hidden card is at action speed timing when the defender has priority, before both players consecutively pass priority without doing anything (which would complete the showdown).

Sequence:

  • Showdown is initiated
  • Players alternate getting priority at action speed timing
  • The defender (player with the hidden card) gets priority
  • This is the last moment to play the hidden card
  • If both players consecutively pass priority without doing anything, the showdown completes and damage is assigned

Nuances:

  • Hidden cards gain the ability to be played at reaction speed
  • Hidden cards with location-relevant effects gain the additional text "here" (only affecting the battlefield where they are hidden)
  • The hidden card must have legal targets to be played, otherwise it moves to the graveyard when the battlefield changes state
  • If there's already a chain/spell being cast, that's never the "last moment" - you can respond to that chain before it resolves
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