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Do Counters Phase Back In? A Comprehensive Guide to Phasing and Counters in Magic: The Gathering

Yes, counters remain on a permanent when it phases out and phase back in with it. Think of it this way: phasing is more like temporarily blinking a permanent out of existence. It’s not removed from the battlefield permanently, so its attachments and modifications, including counters, are preserved.

Understanding Phasing: A Deeper Dive

Phasing, at its core, is a mechanic that causes a permanent to be treated as though it doesn’t exist for a turn cycle. This means it can’t be targeted, affected, or interacted with in any way. When a permanent phases out, it, along with any Auras and Equipment attached to it, essentially vanishes until the controller’s next untap step, at which point it phases back in. Understanding the nuances of this interaction is crucial for strategic gameplay.

Counters and Their Nature

First, it’s vital to remember that counters are not permanents. They are simply markers that modify a permanent’s characteristics. They exist on a permanent, influencing its power, toughness, or other attributes. Because they aren’t permanents, they’re not subject to the same rules regarding entering or leaving the battlefield.

The Phasing Process and Counters

When a permanent phases out, all Auras and Equipment attached to it also phase out indirectly. The crucial point is that the permanent is not leaving the battlefield; it’s merely being treated as though it doesn’t exist. Since the permanent doesn’t actually leave the battlefield, the counters on it remain in place. They’re simply not “visible” or “active” while the permanent is phased out. When the permanent phases back in, the counters are still there, ready to affect its abilities.

State-Based Actions and Counter Interactions

It’s also important to remember state-based actions which handle certain counter interactions. The most common example is +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters. These counters cancel each other out whenever a player would receive priority. However, this interaction only occurs when both types of counters exist on the same permanent that is currently phased in. While phased out, state-based actions aren’t being checked for the phased-out permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Phasing and Counters

Here are some common questions about phasing and counters to further clarify the rules and interactions:

Do permanents leave the battlefield when they phase out? No. Phasing does not cause a permanent to leave the battlefield. It’s merely treated as though it doesn’t exist.
Does phasing in count as entering the battlefield? No, phasing in is not considered entering the battlefield. Therefore, abilities that trigger upon a permanent entering the battlefield will not trigger when a permanent phases in.
Do tokens come back after phasing? Tokens continue to exist while phased out and phase back in just like any other permanent, unless they would change zones to anywhere other than the battlefield while phased out.
What happens to Auras and Equipment attached to a phased-out permanent? Auras and Equipment attached to a permanent that phases out also phase out indirectly and phase back in with it, still attached.
Can a phased-out creature be sacrificed? No, a phased-out permanent is treated as though it doesn’t exist, so it cannot be sacrificed.
Does phasing out trigger summoning sickness? As long as a creature has experienced an upkeep before being phased out, it won’t be affected by summoning sickness when it phases back in. The previous upkeep effectively negates any potential summoning sickness upon its return.
Can you target a phased-out permanent with spells or abilities? No. Because a phased-out permanent is treated as though it doesn’t exist, it cannot be targeted by spells or abilities.
Does phasing remove Auras? No, phasing doesn’t remove Auras. They phase out along with the permanent they are attached to and return when the permanent phases back in.
Is a token a permanent? Yes, a permanent is a card or token on the battlefield. A token becomes a permanent when it enters the battlefield and ceases to be one when it moves to another zone.
Can you regenerate a creature with counters on it? Yes, you can regenerate a creature with counters. The counters remain on the regenerated creature because it doesn’t leave the battlefield.
Do +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters cancel out on a phased-out permanent? No, the counters don’t cancel each other out while the permanent is phased out. State-based actions aren’t checked for the phased-out permanent. The cancellation will occur when the permanent phases back in and a player would receive priority.
Can you tap a permanent with summoning sickness? A creature with summoning sickness is neither able to attack nor use any tap abilities unless it gains haste.
What happens when a token phases out then moves zones? A token that’s phased out, or that’s in a zone other than the battlefield, ceases to exist. This is a state-based action.
What is the difference between exiling and phasing? Whereas exiling a permanent moves it to the exile zone, phasing simply acts as if it ceased to exist temporarily. Exiled cards leave the battlefield permanently unless another ability allows the exile to return.
How can you prevent a creature from phasing back in? The only way to reliably prevent a creature from phasing in is by skipping the untap step entirely, such as with the card [[Stasis]]. However, this will affect all permanents on the battlefield controlled by affected players.

The Strategic Implications of Phasing and Counters

Understanding how phasing and counters interact is vital for making informed decisions during gameplay. Phasing can be used defensively to protect creatures with valuable counters from removal spells or combat damage. Conversely, it can also be used offensively to temporarily remove a blocker from the battlefield, allowing you to push through damage. Careful planning and a thorough understanding of these mechanics can give you a significant advantage in your games.

Further Exploration of Game Mechanics

For more in-depth information on game mechanics and educational resources related to gaming, consider exploring the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The GamesLearningSociety.org is a valuable resource for understanding the broader educational applications of games and interactive media.

Do counters phase back in?