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Certain [[spell]]s and [[abilities]] can "counter target spell" (or similar effects). '''Counter''' in this sense is an [[evergreen]] [[keyword action]].<ref>{{ | Certain [[spell]]s and [[abilities]] can "counter target spell" (or similar effects). '''Counter''' in this sense is an [[evergreen]] [[keyword action]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/evergreen-eggs-ham-2015-06-08|Evergreen Eggs & Ham|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 8, 2015}}</ref> A spell that is countered is put into the [[graveyard]] instead of doing its effect. It is essentially negated. | ||
'''Counterspells''' or '''permission spells''' may or may not have conditions, such as forcing a player to pay an additional amount of mana.<ref>{{ | '''Counterspells''' or '''permission spells''' may or may not have conditions, such as forcing a player to pay an additional amount of mana.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/few-more-words-rd-2016-11-07|A Few More Words from R&D|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|level-one/when-cast-your-spells-2015-08-31|When to Cast Your Spells|[[Reid Duke]]|August 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|beyond-basics/no-thanks-2016-11-18|No Thanks|[[Gavin Verhey]]|November 18, 2016}}</ref> | ||
More often than not, counterspells cards are [[blue]]. White is tertiary.<ref name="Color Pie 2017">{{ | More often than not, counterspells cards are [[blue]]. White is tertiary.<ref name="Color Pie 2017">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2017-2017-06-05|Mechanical Color Pie 2017|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 5, 2017}}</ref> Counterspells in other colors existed only in the early days of ''Magic'', and in the alternative realities of the [[Time Spiral block]]. | ||
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
==Permission== | ==Permission== | ||
[[File:Legend Membership Counterspell.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|The eponymous <c>Counterspell</c>.]] | [[File:Legend Membership Counterspell.jpg|thumb|right|250 px|The eponymous <c>Counterspell</c>.]] | ||
"Permission" is a style of play that involves hardcore/dedicated counter-magic.<ref>{{ | "Permission" is a style of play that involves hardcore/dedicated counter-magic.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/asking-permission-2002-04-12|Asking Permission|[[Randy Buehler]]|April 12, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/counter-point-2003-08-22|Counter-Point|[[Randy Buehler]]|August 22, 2003}}</ref> The permission player attempts to counter every important spell the opponent plays, and simply to draw plenty of extra cards to ensure more counters are available. The term "permission" comes from the way the opponent will end up asking whether each of their spells resolves or is countered. | ||
===Blue=== | ===Blue=== | ||
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Counterspells were few and far between; but, progressively, varieties of counterspells were released. The original Counterspell, with its absoluteness and affordability at a mana cost of {{U}}{{U}}, was a staple in many blue [[decks]]. It was also a staple in [[core set]]s and multiple [[expansion]] sets, up until ''[[8th Edition]]'' and ''[[Mercadian Masques]]'', respectively, until it was gradually replaced with other spells like <c>Mana Leak</c>. | Counterspells were few and far between; but, progressively, varieties of counterspells were released. The original Counterspell, with its absoluteness and affordability at a mana cost of {{U}}{{U}}, was a staple in many blue [[decks]]. It was also a staple in [[core set]]s and multiple [[expansion]] sets, up until ''[[8th Edition]]'' and ''[[Mercadian Masques]]'', respectively, until it was gradually replaced with other spells like <c>Mana Leak</c>. | ||
<c>Counterspell</c> was ultimately supplanted by <c>Cancel</c>, a permission spell costing an additional {{1}} that was introduced in ''[[Time Spiral]]'', because [[R&D]] decided that {{U}}{{U}} for a hard counterspell was too powerful (at least as a [[common]] card).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/38345556599/mark-rosewater-i-know-that-costing-is-a-development|title=Mark Rosewater! What role does design play when considering cards with simple effects like Counterspell and Cancel?|December 19, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/14217079906/why-counterspell-was-downgraded-to-cancel-but-in-m11-we|title=Why was Counterspell downgraded to Cancel?|December 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{ | <c>Counterspell</c> was ultimately supplanted by <c>Cancel</c>, a permission spell costing an additional {{1}} that was introduced in ''[[Time Spiral]]'', because [[R&D]] decided that {{U}}{{U}} for a hard counterspell was too powerful (at least as a [[common]] card).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/38345556599/mark-rosewater-i-know-that-costing-is-a-development|title=Mark Rosewater! What role does design play when considering cards with simple effects like Counterspell and Cancel?|December 19, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/14217079906/why-counterspell-was-downgraded-to-cancel-but-in-m11-we|title=Why was Counterspell downgraded to Cancel?|December 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/cancellation-2012-11-01|Cancellation|[[Monty Ashley]]|November 01, 2012}}</ref> | ||
===White=== | ===White=== | ||
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A distinction is made between so called "hard" and "soft" permission spells. | A distinction is made between so called "hard" and "soft" permission spells. | ||
====Hard==== | ====Hard==== | ||
In general, a "hard" counter is any card that stops a spell from resolving and preventing that spell from being played again(e.g., <c>Counterspell</c>, <c>Hinder</c>, <c>Dismiss</c>).<ref name="Rosewater">{{ | In general, a "hard" counter is any card that stops a spell from resolving and preventing that spell from being played again(e.g., <c>Counterspell</c>, <c>Hinder</c>, <c>Dismiss</c>).<ref name="Rosewater">{{DailyRef|making-magic/counter-intelligence-2005-03-28|Counter Intelligence|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 28, 2005}}</ref> Some "hard" counters may have additional [[effect]]s, such as [[exile|exiling]] the countered spell from the game (e.g., <c>Dissipate</c>, <c>Spelljack</c>), manipulation of own or opponent's library (e.g., <c>Psychic Strike</c>, <c>Discombobulate</c>, <c>Dissolve</c>), [[life gain]]/loss or [[damage]] (e.g., <c>Absorb</c>, <c>Undermine</c>, <c>Essence Backlash</c>), mana generation (e.g., <c>Mana Drain</c>, <c>Plasm Capture</c>, <c>Rewind</c>), or creature creation (e.g., <c>Mystic Snake</c>, <c>Draining Whelk</c>, <c>Mystic Genesis</c>). | ||
As a general rule of thumb, R&D stipulated that "hard" counters require {{U}}{{U}} in their mana costs and that counterspells are designed and costed with the original Counterspell in mind.<ref name="Rosewater"/> Exceptions are sometimes made when the spell has a significant downside, such as card draw for the controller of the countered spell (e.g., <c>Arcane Denial</c>, <c>Vex</c>) exist.<ref name="Rosewater"/> [[R&D]] later decided that two colored mana was also allowed, allowing multicolored hard counterspells with one blue mana and a mana of a second color (e.g. {{W}}{{U}}<c>Hindering Light</c>, {{U}}{{B}}<c>Countersquall</c>, {{U}}{{R}}<c>Mindswipe</c>).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/170574698853/hey-mark-my-birthday-was-on-sunday-can-i-get-a|title=Trivia on counterspells.|February 06, 2018}}</ref> | As a general rule of thumb, R&D stipulated that "hard" counters require {{U}}{{U}} in their mana costs and that counterspells are designed and costed with the original Counterspell in mind.<ref name="Rosewater"/> Exceptions are sometimes made when the spell has a significant downside, such as card draw for the controller of the countered spell (e.g., <c>Arcane Denial</c>, <c>Vex</c>) exist.<ref name="Rosewater"/> [[R&D]] later decided that two colored mana was also allowed, allowing multicolored hard counterspells with one blue mana and a mana of a second color (e.g. {{W}}{{U}}<c>Hindering Light</c>, {{U}}{{B}}<c>Countersquall</c>, {{U}}{{R}}<c>Mindswipe</c>).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/170574698853/hey-mark-my-birthday-was-on-sunday-can-i-get-a|title=Trivia on counterspells.|February 06, 2018}}</ref> | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?text=%7C%5B%22counter%20target%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20up%20to%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20all%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20that%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20it%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20the%22%5D%7C%5B%22if%20a%20player%20does,%20counter%22%5D ''Gatherer'' search for all counterspells] | *[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?text=%7C%5B%22counter%20target%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20up%20to%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20all%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20that%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20it%22%5D%7C%5B%22counter%20the%22%5D%7C%5B%22if%20a%20player%20does,%20counter%22%5D ''Gatherer'' search for all counterspells] | ||
*{{ | *{{DailyRef|savor-flavor/topic-explosion-2008-11-12|Topic Explosion|[[Doug Beyer]]|November 12, 2008}} (list of counterspells, naming counterspells) | ||
{{Keywords and abilities}} | {{Keywords and abilities}} | ||
Revision as of 23:00, 6 April 2019
| Counter | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Alpha |
| Last used | Evergreen |
| Reminder Text | No official reminder text |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Counter" | |
- For other uses, see Counter (disambiguation).
Certain spells and abilities can "counter target spell" (or similar effects). Counter in this sense is an evergreen keyword action.[1] A spell that is countered is put into the graveyard instead of doing its effect. It is essentially negated.
Counterspells or permission spells may or may not have conditions, such as forcing a player to pay an additional amount of mana.[2][3][4]
More often than not, counterspells cards are blue. White is tertiary.[5] Counterspells in other colors existed only in the early days of Magic, and in the alternative realities of the Time Spiral block.
Rules
Permission
"Permission" is a style of play that involves hardcore/dedicated counter-magic.[6][7] The permission player attempts to counter every important spell the opponent plays, and simply to draw plenty of extra cards to ensure more counters are available. The term "permission" comes from the way the opponent will end up asking whether each of their spells resolves or is countered.
Blue
The original permission spell was the eponymous Counterspell from Alpha. Alpha also introduced Blue Elemental Blast, Power Sink, and Spell Blast.
Counterspells were few and far between; but, progressively, varieties of counterspells were released. The original Counterspell, with its absoluteness and affordability at a mana cost of 
, was a staple in many blue decks. It was also a staple in core sets and multiple expansion sets, up until 8th Edition and Mercadian Masques, respectively, until it was gradually replaced with other spells like Mana Leak.
Counterspell was ultimately supplanted by Cancel, a permission spell costing an additional 
that was introduced in Time Spiral, because R&D decided that for a hard counterspell was too powerful (at least as a common card).[8][9][10]
White
In the Time Spiral block white took over blue 's role as the main counter color (Mana Tithe, Rebuff the Wicked, Dawn Charm)
In regular design, white only dips its toe into the ability with taxing and delay-style counterspells like Lapse of Certainty or by giving the opponent an advantage (Illumination).
Early off-color counterspells
Blue/Black
Black
Red
- Red Elemental Blast (Alpha)
- Artifact Blast (Antiquities)
- Pyroblast (Ice Age)
- Burnout (Alliances)
- Molten Influence (Odyssey)
- Mages' Contest (Invasion)
Red/Green
Green
Types of counterspells
A distinction is made between so called "hard" and "soft" permission spells.
Hard
In general, a "hard" counter is any card that stops a spell from resolving and preventing that spell from being played again(e.g., Counterspell, Hinder, Dismiss).[11] Some "hard" counters may have additional effects, such as exiling the countered spell from the game (e.g., Dissipate, Spelljack), manipulation of own or opponent's library (e.g., Psychic Strike, Discombobulate, Dissolve), life gain/loss or damage (e.g., Absorb, Undermine, Essence Backlash), mana generation (e.g., Mana Drain, Plasm Capture, Rewind), or creature creation (e.g., Mystic Snake, Draining Whelk, Mystic Genesis).
As a general rule of thumb, R&D stipulated that "hard" counters require in their mana costs and that counterspells are designed and costed with the original Counterspell in mind.[11] Exceptions are sometimes made when the spell has a significant downside, such as card draw for the controller of the countered spell (e.g., Arcane Denial, Vex) exist.[11] R&D later decided that two colored mana was also allowed, allowing multicolored hard counterspells with one blue mana and a mana of a second color (e.g. 
Hindering Light, 
Countersquall, 
Mindswipe).[12]
Soft
A "soft" counter, in contrast, is a card that stops a spell from resolving but gives the opponent some recourse, such as the possibility to pay additional mana to have the spell still resolve (e.g., Force Spike, Mana Leak) or the possibility to cast that spell soon (e.g., Delay, Remand, Memory Lapse).[11] Counterspells that also have a limited range of targets (e.g., Annul, Spell Snare, Negate) or that require additional resources (e.g., Abjure) are also considered "soft" counters.[11]
Counter target activated/triggered ability
The ability to Counter target activated or triggered abilities, is primary in blue and secondary in green. For a while this was a green effect, but R&D has moved it to be more in blue.[5]
Can't be countered
Some cards can't be countered. This ability is primary in red and green, and secondary in blue.[5]
Red tends to have spells that can't be countered while green tends to have creatures that can't be countered. When blue does "can't be countered," which is less often, it's usually a more control-oriented card.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 8, 2015). "Evergreen Eggs & Ham". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 7, 2016). "A Few More Words from R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Reid Duke (August 31, 2015). "When to Cast Your Spells". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (November 18, 2016). "No Thanks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Randy Buehler (April 12, 2002). "Asking Permission". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Randy Buehler (August 22, 2003). "Counter-Point". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 19, 2012). "Mark Rosewater! What role does design play when considering cards with simple effects like Counterspell and Cancel?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 14, 2011). "Why was Counterspell downgraded to Cancel?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Monty Ashley (November 01, 2012). "Cancellation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c d e Mark Rosewater (March 28, 2005). "Counter Intelligence". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 06, 2018). "Trivia on counterspells.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
External links
- Gatherer search for all counterspells
- Doug Beyer (November 12, 2008). "Topic Explosion". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. (list of counterspells, naming counterspells)