Timeater

[Lokarin]

If your opponent must skip their MP1...

1. are they able to declare battle that turn.....

2. if they have 0 monsters must they completely skip their turn (since MP2 can't be entered without going to battle phase... which can't be entered arbitratily when there are 0 monsters)

 

[DaGuyWitBluGlasses]

If your opponent must skip their MP1...

1. are they able to declare battle that turn.....

yes

2. if they have 0 monsters must they completely skip their turn (since MP2 can't be entered without going to battle phase... which can't be entered arbitratily when there are 0 monsters)

Why not?
When you enter the battle phase you go directly to the Start Step. The start step is like anyother phase, both players may activate spell-speed 2 cards here, and this step can not be left until both players agree. It has nothing to do with monsters declaring battle.

You MAY enter your battle phase when you have no monsters on the field.

 

[Bill]

Phases are entered no matter what the field is, its just that you may not be able to do anything in those phases because of what is or isn't on the field.

 

[John Danker]

Phases are entered no matter what the field is, its just that you may not be able to do anything in those phases because of what is or isn't on the field.

I'm afraid that's simply untrue. Phases are not automatically entered into. A player has the choice (most often with a few exceptions)

 

[Bill]

Yes the player has the choice not to enter his/her main phase/battle phase but the situation he is saying here, his opponent will want to. The Draw, Standby, and End must be entered.

 

[squid]

I remember spending a lot of time asking questions and debating TimeEater, and how to force Turn skipping. If TimeEater's effect activates successfully and your opponent skips their main phase1, they may still choose to enter their Battle Phase, even if they have nothing to do.

If, however, they are forced to skip their actual Battle Phase as well, due to the effect of cards like Thunder of Ruler, then (because they were forced to skip MP1 and BP) they may NOT enter MP2.

In those cases, the player will proceed according to the way outlined by Bill: Draw, Standby, End.