In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), “untap” refers to the action of changing a permanent from a tapped state to an untapped state. Permanents are cards that remain on the battlefield after being played, such as lands, creatures, artifacts, and enchantments. “Tapping” a permanent, typically by turning it sideways, often signifies using its resource or ability. A “target” is the specific permanent affected by a spell or ability. For example, an ability might read, “Tap an untapped land you control: Add one mana of any color.” This involves tapping a land, thereby expending its resource to produce mana. Untapping returns a permanent to its ready state, enabling its use in subsequent turns.
The strategic manipulation of tapped and untapped permanents forms a core element of MTG gameplay. This constant cycle of resource expenditure and renewal drives the flow of the game. Restricting an opponent’s ability to untap their permanents can severely limit their options, while having numerous untapped permanents oneself provides flexibility and potential for powerful combinations. The concept was present from the game’s inception, contributing to its strategic depth and ongoing popularity.
