-1/-1 counter
| -1/-1 Counter | |
|---|---|
| Counter | |
| Introduced | Arabian Nights |
| Last used | New Phyrexia |
| Scryfall search | |
| oracle:"-1/-1 Counter" | |
-1/-1 counters are the second most common counter type in Magic, following +1/+1 counters. They were introduced on the Arabian Nights card Unstable Mutation.[1]
At least one set within the next seven years is expected to use -1/-1 counters,[2] and they are currently ranked at a 1 on the storm scale.[3]
For ease of comprehension, blocks tend to focus on only a single type of counter on creatures. -1/-1 counters are used less often than +1/+1 counters because they have less available design space, due to their similarity to +1/+1 counters[1] and their capacity to kill creatures and thereby simplify the game state.[4]
As a further concession to mitigate complexity, +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters are the only power/toughness altering counters used in new products.[1] Additionally, they are never used in the same block, to minimize confusion in limited play.[5][6] A small handful of cards from the earliest sets still use other, obsolete counters.
Cancellation With +1/+1 Counters
When both +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters are present on the same creature, they are immediately removed in matched pairs until only one or the other remains.
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 121.3. If there are no cards in a player’s library and an effect offers that player the choice to draw a card, that player can choose to do so. However, if an effect says that a player can’t draw cards and another effect offers that player the choice to draw a card, that player can’t choose to do so.
- 121.3a The same principles apply if the player who’s making the choice is not the player who would draw the card. If the latter player has no cards in their library, the choice can be taken. If an effect says that the latter player can’t draw a card, the choice can’t be taken.
Mechanics
Because +1/+1 counters are the default creature counter,[7] -1/-1 counters have been used by far fewer mechanics. There are currently three keyworded mechanics using -1/-1 counters, all of them from Lorwyn–Shadowmoor block or Scars of Mirrodin block:
References
- ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (February 11 2008). "+1/+1 Size Fits All". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (April 11 2015). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (January 30 2015). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (August 14 2014). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (November 15 2014). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (June 9 2015). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 26 2005). "+1/+1 For the Road". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.