Can you redirect a counterspell in magic?
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You can redirect a counterspell in Magic: The Gathering, but with certain limitations and conditions, as Redirect can target a counterspell and change its target to another spell or permanent on the stack, and Misdirection can also change the target of a counterspell to another spell or permanent. The key to understanding redirecting a counterspell lies in grasping the specific ** Magic: The Gathering rules** and interactions that govern how counterspells and redirect effects work, particularly rule 114.5, which states that a counterspell cannot be redirected to target itself.
Understanding Counterspells and Redirects
To delve into the world of counterspells and redirects, it’s essential to first understand what a counterspell is and how it functions within the game. A counterspell is a type of spell that can counter another spell, essentially canceling it and preventing its effects from occurring.
Rules and Interactions
The Comprehensive Rules of Magic: The Gathering provide the foundation for understanding how counterspells and redirects interact. Specifically, rule 701.5a defines what it means to counter a spell or ability, and rule 114.5 addresses the issue of redirecting a counterspell.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you misdirect a counterspell to itself?
Misdirection only targets the spell whose target you’re trying to change, not the thing you’re trying to change the target to, which means you can misdirect a counterspell but not to itself.
2. Can deflecting swat redirect a counterspell?
Deflecting Swat can redirect a counterspell to target Deflecting Swat itself, which then resolves and leaves the counterspell without a valid target.
3. What is the rule for counterspell in Magic The Gathering?
701.5a states that to counter a spell or ability means to cancel it, removing it from the stack, and the countered spell is put into its owner’s graveyard.
4. Can you counterspell a counterspell aimed at you?
Yes, you can counterspell a counterspell cast against you, as addressed in the Sage Advice Compendium.
5. Can you swerve a counterspell?
You can swerve their Counterspell, having it target their original Spell or the resolving Swerve.
6. How do you stop a counterspell?
You can counterspell a counterspell to prevent it from affecting the original spell, be out of range, or deny the enemy a reaction.
7. How do you combat Counterspell?
Maintaining a distance and preventing the enemy from having a reaction are strategies to combat Counterspell.
8. Can you cast a counterspell and target itself?
No, a spell on the stack is not a legal target for itself.
9. Can you counterspell an eye ray?
No, eye rays are not spells and cannot be countered.
10. Can you counterspell twice?
You can only counterspell once in a round because it requires a reaction.
11. What happens if you cascade into a counterspell?
If you cascade into a discard spell when your opponent has no cards in hand, or into a counterspell at an inopportune time, the card goes to the bottom of your library.
12. Can you commandeer a counterspell?
You can use Commandeer to change the target of a counterspell to Commandeer, which resolves before the counterspell.
13. Can counterspell stop cantrips?
No, cantrips are not valid targets for Counterspell because they do not use spell slots.
14. What is the best counterspell in magic?
Force of Will is considered one of the most unique and format-defining counterspells.
15. Does Hexproof stop counterspell?
No, hexproof does not prevent a creature from being counterspelled because hexproof only prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities controlled by an opponent.