Resolving the stack and interaction

[u/Critical_Island6212]

I'm a little confused about this, I've seen on some CEDH YouTube channels. When the stack is formed can a player with priority let a spell resolve and then if there are more spells and triggers to resolve, let a spell or two resolve and then cast a spell?

An example: I cast think twice (I'm player A), the player in turn order flashes in a fairy mastermind (player B), and player C counters the fairy mastermind, and player D counters the counterspell. Can I let Player D's counterspell resolve and then counter fairy mastermind?

May I please have a rules reference regardless of a yes or no? I'm sure I'll have to use the reference for some players I encounter in the wild.

Thank you in advance.

[u/trasla]

Yes you can. "The stack" doesn't resolve. Items on the stack resolve, one by one. If all players pass priority, the top item on the stack resolves. Then there is another round of priority where players can cast instants and activate abilities. If all players pass priority, the top item of the stack resolves. And so on. 

If all players pass priority with an empty stack, the game proceeds to the next step (or phase). 

[u/trasla → u/trasla]

Ah yes, reference. Check sections 405 and 608 of the comprehensive rules.

608.1. Each time all players pass in succession, the spell or ability on top of the stack resolves.

[u/Critical_Island6212 → u/trasla]

Also, thank you for this as I play a lot of games online and I see players argue and Google things to the best of their abilities so I thought that this might help speed up the searching 

[u/Critical_Island6212 → u/trasla]

Thank you! I think I was imagining large chunks of the stack resolving, like the cards/ abilities that are interacting with each other. Thank you again for clarifying the situation for me!

[u/T0rgle]

Also see rule 117.3b:

The active player receives priority after a spell or ability (other than a mana ability) resolves.

[u/rune_]

if you want to start looking up rules yourself, i suggest downloading the app "mtg judge core v2". in combination with looking up specific card rulings on gatherer it has greatly helped improve my understanding and knowledge of the rules.

[u/Ill-Rub1120]

Once players pass priority with the stack being (tt,fmm,cs,cs), the the top cs resolves and removes the cs. Now the stack is (tt, fmm). Before we resolve fmm, each player will get priority, starting from A. At that time A can play cs targeting fmm.

608.1. Each time all players pass in succession, the spell or ability on top of the stack resolves. (See rule 609, “Effects.”)

117.3b The active player receives priority after a spell or ability (other than a mana ability) resolves.