Can you counter spells with Ward?

Yes, Ward is a keyword that can counter a targeted spell or ability from an opponent unless the Ward cost is paid, which can be in the form of paying life, discarding a card, or most commonly, paying a mana cost. The Ward ability triggers when a permanent with Ward becomes the target of a spell or ability controlled by an opponent, allowing the player to choose whether to counter the spell or ability by paying the specified Ward cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information about Ward and Counterspells

1. What is Ward in MTG: Ward is a keyword that counters a targeted spell or ability from an opponent unless the Ward cost is paid.
2. Can you counter a spell with Ward MTG: Yes, Ward can counter a spell when a permanent with Ward becomes the target of a spell or ability controlled by an opponent.
3. How do you counter spells: You can counter spells using counterspells or abilities that have the capability to counter or neutralize spells.

Types of Counterspells and Their Effects

4. What spells can you counter in MTG: You can counter various types of spells in MTG, including creature spells, instant spells, and sorcery spells, using counterspells like Disdainful Stroke, Condescend, Forbid, and Mana Tithe.
5. Can you sacrifice a creature with Ward: If you sacrifice your own creature with Ward, the creature remains on the battlefield, and the Ward token is removed.
6. Does Ward affect your own spells: No, Ward does not affect spells or abilities that you control, allowing you to cast your spells without interruptions from Ward.

Interaction with Other Abilities and Spells

7. What does Ward protect against: Ward protects against targeted spells and abilities that can affect the permanent with Ward, including removal spells and planeswalker abilities.
8. Can you counter creature spells: Yes, creature spells can be countered using counterspells before they resolve, sending the creature to its owner’s graveyard.
9. Can you counterspell a sacrifice: No, you cannot counterspell a sacrifice because sacrificing a creature is an activated ability, and counterspells can only counter spells.

Additional Rules and Interactions

10. Are Cantrips considered spells: Yes, cantrips are considered spells with a spell level of 0, which can be cast at will without using a spell slot.
11. How does countering a creature spell work: Countering a creature spell sends it to its owner’s graveyard, preventing it from resolving and entering the battlefield.
12. Can you counter suspended spells: Yes, you can counter the ability that removes time counters from a suspended spell, preventing it from being cast.

Specific Interactions and Edge Cases

13. Does Ward work on the stack MTG: No, Ward does not work on the stack, only on the battlefield, and triggers when a permanent with Ward becomes the target of a spell or ability.
14. What happens if you counter a spell with cascade: Countering the original spell does not counter the cascade ability, allowing the cascade to still resolve.
15. Can a caster counter spell a counter spell: Yes, a caster can counter a counter spell because counterspells can be countered by other counterspells, allowing for complex interactions and counter–counter play.