Decoding Vorinclex: Your Guide to Doubling (and Halving!) Poison Counters
The Phyrexian Praetors are notorious for twisting the natural order, and Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider, is no exception. One of the most frequent questions surrounding this imposing green beast is: Does Vorinclex double poison counters?
The short answer is yes, but with a crucial caveat. Vorinclex’s ability doubles the number of counters that effects you control would put on players. It does not double poison counters already on a player. It only impacts the placement of new counters. If you were to give an opponent poison counters it would be doubled. If your opponent were to give you poison counters, it will only be halved.
Think of it this way: Vorinclex is all about your domination. He amplifies your strategies while simultaneously undermining those of your opponents. This makes him a powerhouse in infect decks and a potent sideboard option against decks that rely on counters to control the board.
Understanding Vorinclex’s Abilities
To fully grasp Vorinclex’s impact on poison counters, it’s essential to dissect his two key abilities:
- “If you would put one or more counters on a permanent or player, you put twice that many of each of those kinds of counters on that permanent or player instead.” This is the doubling effect that applies to your counters.
- “If an opponent would put one or more counters on a permanent or player, they put half that many of each of those kinds of counters on that permanent or player instead, rounded down.” This is the halving effect that protects you from your opponents’ counters.
It’s the source of the counter placement that dictates whether it’s doubled or halved, not the type of counter itself.
Vorinclex in Poison-Themed Decks
Vorinclex is a natural fit in any deck aiming to win with infect. The ability to double the number of poison counters you inflict drastically accelerates your clock. Imagine playing a creature with infect, such as Blightsteel Colossus, and connecting with an opponent – instead of the usual 11 poison counters, they’d receive 22, instantly ending the game.
Furthermore, Vorinclex’s ability works synergistically with proliferate. When you proliferate with Vorinclex in play, the number of each type of counter is increased by two per instance of proliferate (one from the ability of proliferate and one from Vorinclex doubling proliferate’s counter). The first is added by proliferate, and the second is added by Vorinclex. Proliferate becomes a truly devastating weapon, rapidly escalating the poison count on your opponents while boosting the power and toughness of your creatures with +1/+1 counters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions surrounding Vorinclex and poison counters, to ensure you’re well-versed in the intricacies of this complex card:
Does Vorinclex stop poison?
Not entirely. Vorinclex halves the number of counters that your opponents would place on permanents or players, including you. This mitigates the impact of their poison-related strategies.
Does Vorinclex double infect?
Yes. Infect creatures deal damage in the form of poison counters. If you control Vorinclex, the poison counters inflicted through infect are doubled.
Does Doubling Season work with poison counters?
Doubling Season doubles the number of counters you place on permanents. However, it does not affect poison counters placed on players unless you have a card that specifically puts poison counters on a permanent, such as Contagion Engine. Doubling Season works on permanents, while Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider impacts both permanents and players.
Does Vorinclex work with proliferate?
Absolutely! Proliferate places a new counter on each permanent and/or player that already has one. Vorinclex will double the new counter being placed as a result of proliferate.
Can you proliferate poison counters?
Yes, you can proliferate poison counters. Proliferate targets permanents or players that already have counters and adds another of the same type.
How many poison counters do you need in Commander?
In Commander (EDH), a player loses the game when they accumulate ten or more poison counters.
Does Deathtouch give poison counters?
No, deathtouch doesn’t inherently give poison counters. It only means that any damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch is enough to destroy a creature. However, if a creature has both deathtouch and infect, it will deal damage in the form of poison counters equal to its power.
Does Vorinclex double loyalty counters?
Yes. Vorinclex doubles the number of loyalty counters added to planeswalkers you control. So, activating a planeswalker’s +1 ability will result in two loyalty counters being added instead. However, if an opponent controls Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider, and you were to add loyalty counters to a planeswalker, that number would be halved.
Does Vorinclex stop sagas?
No, Vorinclex doesn’t directly stop sagas. While Vorinclex halves the number of counters your opponents put on permanents, saga chapters trigger based on the number of lore counters already present on the saga.
Does Vorinclex round down to zero?
Yes. When halving the number of counters an opponent would place, Vorinclex’s ability rounds down. This means that if they would place one counter, they place zero instead.
What cards prevent poison counters?
Cards like Melira, Sylvok Outcast and Solemnity prevent you from receiving poison counters.
Which Commander doesn’t lose counters?
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave retains all counters, including +1/+1 counters, when it moves to different zones.
Do poison counters stack?
Yes, multiple instances of effects that grant poison counters are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1, it will give an opponent 3 poison counters if it deals combat damage.
Does toxic 1 count as a counter?
Yes, toxic X means that combat damage from the toxic creature also gives the player X poison counters.
Can you proliferate 0 counters?
No, you cannot proliferate zero counters. Proliferate targets permanents or players that already have counters. If a permanent or player has zero counters, proliferate cannot target it.
Mastering Vorinclex: Strategy and Considerations
Vorinclex is a powerful card, but using him effectively requires careful planning and strategic considerations. Here are a few key takeaways:
- Timing is crucial: Knowing when to cast Vorinclex is essential. Playing him too early can make you a target, while playing him too late might miss crucial opportunities to double your poison counters.
- Synergy is key: Build your deck to maximize Vorinclex’s doubling effect. Focus on cards that proliferate counters or deal damage with infect.
- Anticipate answers: Be prepared for your opponents to respond to Vorinclex. Cards that remove creatures or counter spells can disrupt your strategy.
- He’s a threat magnet: Vorinclex is such a powerful card that will attract removal. Be mindful of that.
- Consider a backup plan: Don’t rely solely on Vorinclex to win. Have alternative strategies in place in case he’s removed or countered.
Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider, is more than just a creature; he’s a game-changer. Understanding his abilities and how they interact with various counters is essential for maximizing his potential. Whether you’re building an infect deck, a proliferate strategy, or simply looking to thwart your opponents’ plans, Vorinclex is a valuable asset in your arsenal.
For more insight into strategic gameplay and card interactions, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They offer valuable information and resources on the educational aspects of gaming and game design.