In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), having a ready-to-use permanent is fundamental. The act of changing a permanent’s state from tapped to untapped opens up a world of strategic possibilities. For example, an untapped land allows a player to generate mana, the game’s primary resource, while an untapped creature can attack or block. This action is often facilitated by card effects that specifically instruct a player to change a chosen permanent’s status to ready.
The ability to utilize a permanent’s function at will is crucial for executing game plans. This dynamic adds a layer of tactical depth, requiring players to carefully manage the readiness of their resources. From the earliest days of the game, the strategic use of resources has been a cornerstone of gameplay, adding complexity and rewarding thoughtful decision-making. The ability to manipulate this readiness through card effects has evolved alongside the game, adding new dimensions to strategic play.