Can You Put a +1/+1 Counter on a Planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering? The Definitive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can put a +1/+1 counter on a planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). However, and this is a crucial however, it generally doesn’t do anything. Let’s dive into the rules, the exceptions, and all the nuances surrounding this curious corner of the MTG universe.
Understanding Counters in Magic: The Gathering
Before we get too deep into planeswalkers specifically, let’s establish a baseline understanding of counters in Magic. Counters are physical markers used to track changes to permanents (cards on the battlefield). These can be anything from +1/+1 counters that boost a creature’s power and toughness to loyalty counters on planeswalkers, poison counters on players, or even charge counters on artifacts. The key is that they represent a persistent modification to the permanent.
Planeswalkers and Loyalty Counters
Planeswalkers are unique card types that represent powerful spellcasters you can summon to fight alongside you. They enter the battlefield with a certain number of loyalty counters, which are essentially their “health points.” You can activate planeswalker abilities by adding or removing loyalty counters. If a planeswalker ever has zero loyalty counters, it’s put into the graveyard. Loyalty counters are critical to their functionality.
Why +1/+1 Counters Don’t Affect Planeswalkers (Usually)
Here’s the crux of the matter: +1/+1 counters specifically modify a creature’s power and toughness. Planeswalkers are not creatures (unless a specific ability temporarily makes them so). Therefore, a +1/+1 counter sitting on a planeswalker is essentially inert. It’s there, but it has no inherent effect. It doesn’t increase their loyalty, it doesn’t make them harder to kill, and it doesn’t enhance any of their abilities.
The Exceptions: When It Matters
While generally useless, there are specific scenarios where having a +1/+1 counter on a planeswalker can matter:
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Becoming a Creature: Some cards or abilities can temporarily turn a planeswalker into a creature. If this happens, the +1/+1 counters immediately kick in and boost its power and toughness. For example, Gideon planeswalkers often have abilities to become creatures.
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Cards That Care About Counters: Some cards trigger based on the mere presence of counters on permanents you control, regardless of what those counters do. A card that says “Whenever you put a counter on a permanent, draw a card” will trigger even if that counter is a +1/+1 counter on a planeswalker.
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Future Proofing: Magic is constantly evolving, and new cards are printed all the time. A card might be printed in the future that specifically interacts with +1/+1 counters on non-creatures or planeswalkers. Holding onto the knowledge that you can put the counter there might become strategically relevant someday.
Putting It All Together
So, can you put a +1/+1 counter on a planeswalker? Yes. Is it usually a good idea? No. But, understanding the exceptions and the underlying rules is crucial to becoming a better Magic player. Knowing what can be done, even if it’s not optimal in most situations, can open up strategic possibilities and prevent you from making incorrect assumptions. It’s important to learn and understand the intricacies of games to fully utilize the potential of its system. Learn more about effective game strategies and the broader implications of gaming by exploring the resources at Games Learning Society. The GamesLearningSociety.org is a great resource for that.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between +1/+1 counters and planeswalkers:
1. What happens if I put a -1/-1 counter on a planeswalker?
Just like +1/+1 counters, -1/-1 counters have no direct effect on a planeswalker’s loyalty or abilities. They simply exist on the planeswalker.
2. Can I move a +1/+1 counter from a creature to a planeswalker?
Yes, if you have an ability that allows you to move counters, you can move a +1/+1 counter from a creature to a planeswalker. However, as discussed, it usually won’t have any impact on the planeswalker unless it becomes a creature.
3. Does proliferate add loyalty counters and +1/+1 counters?
Proliferate allows you to choose any number of permanents and/or players with counters on them, and then add one counter of each kind already there. So, if a planeswalker has loyalty counters, you can add another loyalty counter. If it also has a +1/+1 counter (placed by some other means), you can add another +1/+1 counter.
4. If a planeswalker becomes a creature with +1/+1 counters, what happens when it stops being a creature?
The +1/+1 counters remain on the planeswalker. They simply become inactive again until the planeswalker once again becomes a creature.
5. Are there any cards that specifically benefit from planeswalkers having +1/+1 counters?
Currently, there are no widely played cards that specifically care about planeswalkers having +1/+1 counters. However, as mentioned above, cards that trigger whenever any counter is placed on a permanent will trigger regardless of counter type.
6. Can I use a planeswalker’s ability to put +1/+1 counters on creatures even if it has +1/+1 counters on it?
Yes. A planeswalker’s own status is irrelevant to its ability to affect other permanents. If a planeswalker has an ability that puts +1/+1 counters on creatures, it can use that ability regardless of whether or not it has +1/+1 counters on itself.
7. What’s the difference between a +1/+1 counter and an effect that gives +1/+1?
A +1/+1 counter is a physical marker that stays on the permanent until removed. An effect that gives +1/+1 is a temporary bonus that lasts only as long as the effect persists (e.g., until end of turn, or while a specific card is on the battlefield).
8. Does indestructible prevent +1/+1 counters from being placed on a planeswalker?
No. Indestructible only prevents destruction. It doesn’t prevent counters from being placed on a permanent.
9. Can a planeswalker be targeted by a spell that puts +1/+1 counters on creatures?
Yes, if the spell doesn’t specify that it can only target creatures, it can target any permanent, including a planeswalker. The +1/+1 counter will still be placed, even if it has no immediate effect.
10. If I control two of the same planeswalker (through some rare means), can I put a +1/+1 counter on one to differentiate them?
While you cannot have two planeswalkers with the exact same name on the battlefield, and one must be sent to the graveyard, putting a +1/+1 counter on one will not prevent the “planeswalker uniqueness rule” from triggering. The rule checks the name of the planeswalker card, not its characteristics.
11. Can I use a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities if it has +1/+1 counters on it?
Yes. The presence of +1/+1 counters has absolutely no bearing on a planeswalker’s ability to activate its loyalty abilities.
12. Does adding a +1/+1 counter to a planeswalker trigger abilities that care about gaining loyalty?
No. Adding a +1/+1 counter does not count as gaining loyalty. Loyalty is specifically gained (or lost) through the activation of a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities or through effects that explicitly state “gain loyalty.”
13. Can I copy a planeswalker that has a +1/+1 counter on it?
Yes. When you copy a permanent, you copy its characteristics as printed on the card, as well as any counters on it. So, the copy will also have a +1/+1 counter.
14. Is it ever strategically viable to put a +1/+1 counter on a planeswalker, even if it doesn’t do anything immediately?
In very niche scenarios, yes. Perhaps you are playing against a deck that relies heavily on removing all counters from permanents. Putting a useless +1/+1 counter on your planeswalker might protect your valuable loyalty counters from being removed by those effects.
15. What happens if a planeswalker with a +1/+1 counter on it is exiled and then returned to the battlefield?
When a permanent is exiled and then returns to the battlefield, it is treated as a brand new object. Therefore, it will no longer have the +1/+1 counter on it (unless the effect that returned it specifically states that it enters with counters).