Magic is a new-player friendly game...
http://www.manaleak.com/mtguk/2017/04/a-look-at-the-new-magic-the-gathering-tournament-rules-april-2017/

https://blogs.magicjudges.org/telliott/2017/04/27/how-to-think-about-the-new-combat-shortcut/

I thought I knew how to play this game. Obviously, I do not, since I am now more confused than ever.

Deci pe scurt se pare ca ar fi asa: daca jucatorul activ zice 'combat' si cel nonactiv este de acord, se poate duce la beginning of combat sau la declare attackers, nu se face skip la faza de beginning of combat. De asemenea din momentul in care ai zis combat, chiar daca NA intervine, nu mai poti sa joci Sorcery speed!

Ex:
1. AP combat, NA ok AP crew this and then attack
2. AP combat NA ok AP attack with the bear NA wait in the beginning of combat I want to tap your bear AP ok, then I activate Mutavault and attack with it