Do Counters Get Removed When Phased Out?
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The short answer is no, counters do not get removed when a permanent is phased out in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Phasing is a unique mechanic that treats a permanent as if it doesn’t exist for a specific duration, but it doesn’t cause the permanent to change zones. This is crucial because it means that all counters, enchantments, and equipment remain attached to the phased-out permanent and will reappear when it phases back in. Let’s delve into the intricacies of phasing and how it interacts with counters.
Understanding Phasing in MTG
Phasing is an ability that causes a permanent to be treated as though it doesn’t exist for a specific period. This is distinctly different from other methods of removing a permanent from the battlefield, such as exile or returning it to its owner’s hand. When a permanent phases out, it retains its previous state, including any counters, enchantments, or equipment that were attached to it.
The Mechanics of Phasing Out
When a permanent phases out:
- It is treated as if it doesn’t exist until its controller’s next turn.
- Any counters, such as +1/+1 counters, -1/-1 counters, charge counters, or any other type, remain on the permanent.
- Any equipment or auras attached to the permanent also phase out with it and remain attached when it phases back in.
- The phased-out permanent retains its status: tapped, flipped, etc.
- Effects that check a phased-in permanent’s history won’t treat the phasing event as having caused the permanent to leave or enter the battlefield or its controller’s control.
- Crucially, the permanent is not considered to have left the battlefield and is not considered to have entered the battlefield when it phases back in.
Why Counters Remain
The key reason counters remain during phasing is that the permanent doesn’t change zones. The permanent stays on the battlefield, but is simply ignored by the game for a while. When a permanent changes zones, such as going to the graveyard, exile, or hand, counters are lost. Because phasing doesn’t involve a change of zones, the counters remain in place.
Phasing vs. Exile: A Clear Distinction
To fully understand phasing, it’s essential to differentiate it from exile, a zone change that does indeed remove counters.
Exile Mechanics
When a permanent is exiled:
- It is moved to the exile zone, a different location from the battlefield.
- Any counters, equipment, and enchantments are removed from the permanent.
- The permanent loses its previous status and becomes a new object with no memory of its prior state.
- If the exiled permanent is brought back to the battlefield, it enters as a new instance of that permanent, devoid of its previous counters and attachments.
Why Counters Are Lost During Exile
The reason counters are lost during exile is simple: the permanent is treated as a brand new object when it returns from exile. This new object has no connection to the previous version of the card that had counters on it. The game treats it as if it is an entirely new object. This is unlike phasing where the object never leaves the battlefield and is simply ignored temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify how phasing interacts with counters and other game mechanics, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Do phased out creatures keep equipment?
Yes, they do. When a creature phases out, any equipment attached to it phases out as well, and remains attached when the creature phases back in. They both return to the battlefield as they were prior to phasing out.
2. What happens to enchantments when a permanent phases out?
Just like equipment, enchantments attached to a permanent phase out along with the permanent and remain attached when they phase back in.
3. Does phasing out trigger “enter the battlefield” effects?
No. Phasing out does not cause a permanent to leave or enter the battlefield, therefore, no “enter the battlefield” or “leave the battlefield” triggers are activated.
4. Do +1/+1 counters cancel out -1/-1 counters when a permanent phases out and phases back in?
Yes. When a permanent with +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters phases out, the counters remain. When they phase back in, the +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters will cancel out as normal, following game rules.
5. Can you phase out an indestructible permanent?
Yes. Phasing out is not a destruction effect. Indestructible permanents can be phased out, and they will return as indestructible.
6. Does phasing out remove shield counters?
No, shield counters remain on a permanent even when it’s phased out, as they don’t move from one zone to another.
7. Does phasing out reset summoning sickness?
No. If a permanent was not affected by summoning sickness before phasing out, it won’t be affected by summoning sickness when it phases back in.
8. What happens if a planeswalker phases out?
A planeswalker that phases out will return with all loyalty counters it had previously. It can be activated as normal, provided it was not affected by summoning sickness.
9. Does phasing out a creature remove abilities granted by an aura?
No, an aura will phase out along with the creature it’s attached to, and the creature will retain its abilities.
10. Can you skip a phase in MTG that will cause a creature to not phase back in?
Some effects can skip phases but will not stop the creature from phasing back in on its owner’s next turn.
11. If Out of Time phases out, does it stop creatures from phasing back in?
Yes. If Out of Time phases out with all of the creatures it affected, then all the creatures will remain phased out indefinitely because Out of Time will never have the last counter removed.
12. If a token phases out, does it return to the battlefield?
Yes, if a token phases out, it will return to the battlefield. The rule that a token will disappear when leaving the battlefield applies to exile, graveyard and hand, not phasing out.
13. Can deathtouch kill a creature with indestructible that phases out and in?
No. Indestructible permanents are not destroyed by deathtouch. Phasing out does not change this.
14. What if a creature has multiple instances of deathtouch, does that kill an indestructible creature that phases out and in?
No. Even if a creature has multiple instances of deathtouch, they cancel out and still cannot destroy an indestructible creature. Phasing does not change this.
15. Do experience counters get removed when a creature phases out?
No. Experience counters are placed on the player, not the creature. Therefore, they remain with the player even if a creature with experience counter abilities phases out.
Conclusion
In summary, counters remain on a permanent when it phases out. Phasing is not a zone change, and the permanent retains all its counters, enchantments, and equipment. This is a crucial distinction from exile, where counters are removed. Understanding this interaction is key to mastering the intricacies of MTG. Knowing the difference between phasing and exile is vital for making informed plays and utilizing the strengths of various cards and strategies.