Life from the Loam, Jace the Mindsculptor, and things they can do.

[kusumoto]

This is really two questions. I just didn't think they warranted individual topics.

First off is Life From the Loam. Can I cast it with no lands in my graveyard, just to get it in there for dredging?

Second question has to do with protecting Jace, the Mindsculptor.
I am afraid my opponent may be holding a Lightning Bolt in hand. If I play Jace, can I hold priority and activate his +2 immediately after casting him so that he doesn't die to a bolt? I would have to state that I am holding priority after he hits play? I'm just not sure how all of the priority stuff works in this situation.

Thanks in advance.

[UseLess]

Both questions are answered yes. Life from the loam says up to three, so that is anything of 0 up to 3.

For the Jace, once it resolves, you are the active player and have priorty. Assuming the stack is empty (so you didn't play jace as an instant in response to other spells) you can now activate any of his abilities. The addition of removal of counters is part of the cost, so that happens immediatly, after which the ability is placed on the stack. Your opponent may now respond with a lightning bolt, but Jace's loyalty counters have already been adjusted.

Hope its clear now :).

[kusumoto]

Yes it is and that's exactly how I hoped both situations would be.

Thanks!

[TheShaun]

As a minor note, you don't need to state explicitly that you are maintaining priority. That only is required when you are putting more than one thing on the stack in succession. In this case, after the casting of Jace resolves, the stack is empty and assumed to be yours (unless you then do anything else, which would pass priority). When casting spells or using abilities, it is assumed that you are passing priority unless otherwise stated.