Does Flicker Lose Counters? A Deep Dive into MTG’s Blinking Phenomenon
Yes, when a creature is flickered (also known as blinked) in Magic: The Gathering, it loses all counters. This is because flickering exiles the permanent and then returns it to the battlefield. Upon returning, the game treats it as a completely new object with no memory of its previous existence, including any counters, auras, or equipment that were previously attached. This fundamental rule has profound implications for strategy and deck-building.
Understanding Flicker and Blink
Before delving deeper, let’s clarify what “flicker” and “blink” mean in MTG. These terms are informal shorthand for mechanics that exile a permanent and then immediately return it to the battlefield. While “flicker” isn’t an official keyword, it’s universally understood within the MTG community. “Blink” is often used interchangeably, sometimes to differentiate between slight variations in the effect (like the timing of the return). The core concept, however, remains the same: temporary removal and re-entry, resulting in a fresh start for the permanent.
Why Counters Disappear
The reason counters vanish during a flicker is rooted in MTG’s object identity rules. When a permanent is exiled and returns, it’s considered a new game object. While it might look like the same creature, the game engine sees it as entirely distinct. This new object doesn’t inherit any characteristics from its previous incarnation, including counters, auras, or equipment. This interaction is crucial for understanding the power and limitations of flicker effects.
Strategic Implications
Understanding that flickering removes counters opens up strategic possibilities. It can be used to:
- Reset creatures with negative counters: For example, a creature with -1/-1 counters can be “saved” by flickering it.
- Remove detrimental auras: Auras that negatively affect a creature, such as Pacifism, can be eliminated by blinking the enchanted creature.
- Dodge targeted removal: If you flicker a creature in response to a removal spell, the spell will fizzle because its target is no longer valid.
- Re-trigger “enter the battlefield” effects: Creatures with powerful “enter the battlefield” (ETB) triggers can be repeatedly flickered to generate value.
Limitations and Considerations
While flickering is powerful, it’s important to consider its limitations:
- Summoning sickness: A creature that is flickered will be subject to summoning sickness if it hasn’t been under your control continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn.
- Mana cost: Flicker effects often require mana, so you need to consider the cost versus the benefit.
- Opponent interaction: Opponents can respond to flicker effects, potentially disrupting your plans.
- Timing: Correct timing is essential to maximize the effectiveness of flicker effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about flicker effects and their interactions with counters, tokens, and other game elements in MTG:
1. Does flickering a creature remove it from combat?
Yes, flickering a creature removes it from combat. When a creature is exiled and returned, it’s treated as a new object entering the battlefield. This means it’s no longer considered to be attacking or blocking.
2. Does flicker cause summoning sickness?
Yes, flickering a creature can cause summoning sickness. If the creature hasn’t been under your continuous control since the beginning of your most recent turn, it won’t be able to attack or use abilities that require tapping until your next turn.
3. Does flickering a creature remove equipment attached to it?
Yes, when a creature is flickered, any equipment attached to it becomes unattached. The equipment remains on the battlefield, but it’s no longer attached to the flickered creature.
4. What happens if I flicker a mutated permanent?
Flickering a mutated permanent causes all the components of the mutation to return to the battlefield separately. The mutated creature is exiled, and then each individual creature that made up the mutation returns as a separate object. They are no longer mutated together.
5. Does flicker destroy tokens?
Yes, flickering a token creature essentially destroys it. When a token is exiled, it ceases to exist. It doesn’t return to the battlefield like a non-token creature.
6. What is the difference between blink and flicker MTG?
“Flicker” and “blink” are generally used interchangeably to describe the effect of exiling a permanent and then immediately returning it to the battlefield. There’s no official distinction, and the choice of term often comes down to personal preference or specific card wording.
7. Does phasing a creature remove counters?
No, phasing does not remove counters. A permanent that phases out remains on the battlefield, but it’s treated as though it doesn’t exist until it phases back in. It retains all counters, auras, and equipment.
8. How does flicker work with Auras?
When a creature with an Aura attached is flickered, the Aura goes to the graveyard because the enchanted creature has left the battlefield. When the creature returns, it is a new object and the Aura cannot return attached to it.
9. Can you flicker a Manland?
Yes, you can flicker a Manland, which is a land card that can temporarily become a creature. When the Manland is in its creature form, flickering it will cause it to return as a land, losing any counters, auras, or equipment it had as a creature.
10. Does flicker target?
Whether a flicker effect targets depends on the specific card. Some flicker effects, like Cloudshift, specifically target a creature. Others, like Ghostly Flicker, target a creature and/or an artifact. Read the card carefully to determine if it targets.
11. If I flicker a creature during combat, does it deal combat damage?
No, if you flicker a creature before it deals combat damage, it will not deal combat damage. The creature is removed from combat when it’s exiled, and the new instance of the creature entering the battlefield doesn’t retroactively deal damage.
12. Can I flicker a creature an opponent controls?
Yes, some flicker effects can target creatures controlled by opponents. This can be used to disrupt their strategy, remove auras or equipment from their creatures, or reset their creatures with negative counters.
13. Does flicker count as moving?
In the context of some other games, such as Path of Exile, the answer would be yes and no. Some mechanics recognize the movement associated with a flicker-like ability.
14. What happens if I flicker a creature that’s blocking?
If you flicker a creature that’s blocking, it’s removed from combat, and the creature it was blocking is no longer blocked. This can allow the attacking creature to deal damage to the defending player.
15. Does flickering a creature trigger “dies” abilities?
No, flickering a creature does not trigger “dies” abilities. “Dies” abilities trigger when a creature is put into the graveyard from the battlefield. Flickering exiles the creature, which is a different zone change than going to the graveyard.
Conclusion
Flicker effects are a dynamic and versatile tool in MTG. Understanding how they interact with counters, tokens, and other game elements is crucial for both strategic play and deck-building. By mastering the intricacies of flickering, you can elevate your game and gain a competitive edge. Remember to explore the wealth of knowledge available within the MTG community and resources such as Games Learning Society, accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org, to continue your journey of mastering the game.