Can You Proliferate Oil Counters in Magic: The Gathering?

Absolutely! Yes, you can proliferate oil counters in Magic: The Gathering. Proliferate allows you to choose any number of permanents and/or players that already have counters on them, and then add one more counter of each kind that’s already there. Since oil counters are a type of counter that can be placed on permanents, they are perfectly valid targets for the proliferate ability. Get ready to spread the oil!

Understanding Proliferate and Oil Counters

What is Proliferate?

Proliferate is a keyword action introduced in the Scars of Mirrodin block. It gives you the ability to spread counters around the battlefield. The exact wording is: “Choose any number of permanents and/or players with counters on them, then give each another counter of a kind already there.” This means you can selectively boost the counters on targets you control, hinder opponents, or even do both!

What are Oil Counters?

Oil counters are a specific type of counter introduced in the Phyrexia: All Will Be One set. They don’t have any inherent rules meaning on their own; instead, individual cards use them for various effects. Some cards put oil counters on themselves and then use those counters for abilities, while others care about the number of permanents you control that have oil counters.

Synergy Between Proliferate and Oil Counters

The combination of proliferate and oil counters creates some interesting strategic opportunities. You can use cards that initially place oil counters to get the process started, and then use proliferate to amplify their effects and the number of oil counters on those permanents. This can lead to powerful synergies and unique deck-building possibilities.

Building a Proliferate Oil Counter Deck

Here’s a basic outline of how you might approach building a deck that focuses on proliferating oil counters:

• Cards that Initially Place Oil Counters: These are your enablers. Look for cards that efficiently put oil counters on permanents, whether they are your own or your opponents’.

• Proliferate Spells and Abilities: Include multiple ways to proliferate. Instant-speed proliferate spells can be particularly useful for surprising your opponents.

• Cards that Benefit from Oil Counters: This is your payoff. You need cards that become stronger or provide additional benefits as the number of oil counters increases.

• Protection and Card Draw: As with any strategy, you’ll need ways to protect your key permanents and keep your hand full of cards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Proliferating Oil Counters

1. Does Proliferate Target?

No, proliferate does not target. This is crucial because it means that permanents with hexproof or shroud can still be affected by proliferate if they already have counters on them.

2. Can I Proliferate Even if it Does Nothing?

Yes, you can. The “any number” clause in the definition of proliferate includes zero. So, you can activate a proliferate ability even if you choose not to add any additional counters to anything. This might be relevant if you have an ability that triggers when you proliferate.

3. Can I Choose Which Counters to Proliferate?

No, you cannot selectively choose which type of counter to proliferate on a single permanent. When you choose a permanent with multiple types of counters (e.g., +1/+1 counters and oil counters), proliferate adds one of each type of counter that’s already present.

4. What Happens if a Permanent Loses its Oil Counter After I Proliferate?

Once the proliferate ability resolves, the counters are added. If a permanent later loses its oil counter (for example, through another card’s ability), that doesn’t undo the proliferate action. The counters added by proliferate remain on the chosen permanents unless removed by another effect.

5. Can I Proliferate -1/-1 Counters?

Yes, you can proliferate -1/-1 counters. If a creature has -1/-1 counters, you can choose it when you proliferate and add another -1/-1 counter to it.

6. If a Creature has Both +1/+1 Counters and -1/-1 Counters, What Happens When I Proliferate?

You add one of each type of counter. So, if a creature has one +1/+1 counter and one -1/-1 counter, proliferating will result in it having two +1/+1 counters and two -1/-1 counters. These counters will then cancel each other out, and the creature will only have any remaining counters left.

7. Can I Proliferate Poison Counters?

Yes! Proliferate is excellent for spreading poison counters, making it a viable win condition.

8. How Does Solemnity Interact with Oil Counters and Proliferate?

Solemnity prevents counters from being placed on artifacts, creatures, enchantments, and lands. This will prevent permanents from initially receiving oil counters, but it will not stop you from proliferating counters that are already on permanents on the battlefield.

9. Can I Proliferate Counters on Lands?

Yes, if a land has a counter on it, you can proliferate that counter. Some effects might place counters on lands for various reasons, making them valid targets for proliferate.

10. Does Proliferate Trigger Heroic Abilities?

No, proliferate does not trigger heroic abilities. Heroic abilities trigger specifically when you cast a spell that targets a creature with heroic. Proliferate doesn’t target.

11. Can I Proliferate Energy Counters?

Yes, you can proliferate energy counters if you or another player has them.

12. Does Protection Prevent Proliferate?

No, protection does not prevent proliferate. Protection only protects against damage, targeting, enchanting/equipping, and blocking (DEBT). Since proliferate doesn’t target, protection is ineffective against it.

13. Can I Proliferate Shield Counters?

Yes, you can proliferate shield counters. Shield counters provide a creature with one-time protection from destruction.

14. If I Control Multiple Permanents with Oil Counters, Can I Choose to Proliferate Only Some of Them?

Yes, the wording of proliferate allows you to choose “any number” of permanents with counters. This means you can choose to proliferate only the oil counters on specific permanents that you want to boost, while ignoring others.

15. How Does Doubling Season Interact with Proliferate and Oil Counters?

Doubling Season doubles the number of counters you put on permanents you control. If you proliferate while Doubling Season is in play, any counters you add to permanents you control will be doubled. This includes oil counters, making it a potent combination for quickly scaling up your board.

Strategic Considerations

When building around oil counters and proliferate, remember to consider these points:

• Mana Efficiency: Proliferate effects can be mana-intensive. Ensure you have enough mana ramp to support your strategy.
• Resilience: Your strategy can be vulnerable to board wipes. Include ways to protect your permanents or rebuild quickly.
• Versatility: Consider including alternative win conditions in case your primary strategy is disrupted.

Conclusion

Proliferating oil counters is not only possible but can be a powerful and engaging strategy in Magic: The Gathering. By understanding the mechanics and synergies involved, you can build a unique and effective deck that overwhelms your opponents with the spreading Phyrexian oil. Remember to always be innovating and experimenting with different card combinations to find what works best for your play style.

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