Do Negative and Positive Counters Cancel in MTG? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters do indeed cancel each other out in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). This cancellation is a fundamental rule that helps maintain balance and clarity in the game. Whenever a creature has both types of counters on it, they are removed one-for-one as a state-based action, meaning it happens automatically before any player gets priority to act. This interaction is crucial for understanding how various cards and strategies work. Let’s delve deeper into this rule and explore its nuances.
How Counter Cancellation Works
The cancellation process is straightforward but important to grasp. It’s important to note that the counters do NOT cancel out as they are being placed. They are all placed on the creature then state based actions happen at the next opportune moment, cancelling counters before players get priority. Here’s a breakdown:
- One-for-One Removal: For every -1/-1 counter on a creature, a corresponding +1/+1 counter is removed. This process continues until either all of one type of counter is gone or both types of counters are gone.
- Order of Application: Counters are applied to a creature first, then state-based actions resolve by removing canceling counters and dealing with creatures dying. If adding -1/-1 counters causes a creature’s toughness to reach 0, this creature dies before counters cancel out. This distinction is particularly significant when dealing with abilities like persist or undying.
- State-Based Action: This cancellation isn’t a player action. It’s a state-based action that occurs automatically before a player receives priority to cast spells or activate abilities. This means players cannot respond to the counter cancellation process itself.
- No Other Counters Cancel Only +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters cancel each other. Other counters do not interact this way.
Example of Counter Cancellation
Let’s look at an example to solidify this concept:
- A creature has three +1/+1 counters on it.
- You then put two -1/-1 counters on the same creature.
- The game state will now automatically remove two +1/+1 counters and two -1/-1 counters, resulting in the creature having one +1/+1 counter remaining.
Understanding this rule is vital for strategically manipulating creatures with various effects and counters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Counters in MTG
To further clarify and expand on the topic of counters, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Do -1/-1 counters deal damage?
No, -1/-1 counters do not represent damage. They are markers that reduce a creature’s power and toughness. Damage is a separate mechanic that reduces a creature’s health by a specific number based on the attack of another creature or other source.
2. What is the difference between a +1/+1 counter and an effect that gives +1/+1?
+1/+1 counters are physical markers that stay on a creature, even if the source that put them on it leaves the battlefield. Effects that give +1/+1, on the other hand, are temporary and go away when the source of the effect is removed or when the effect’s duration ends.
3. Does doubling counters count as putting counters?
Yes, effects that double counters are treated as putting the same number of new counters on a permanent. This is important for cards with abilities that trigger when counters are placed. For example, if you double the amount of counters with a card like Vorel, the Hull Clade, it will be considered adding counters, and will trigger cards such as Simic Ascendancy.
4. Does moving counters count as putting counters on a creature?
Yes, moving counters is considered to be putting them on a creature. Many card abilities specifically state this, so when you move a counter from one creature to another it’s considered putting a counter on the new target creature.
5. What is the counter rule in MTG?
The main counter rule is found in rule 122 of the official MTG rules. This rule outlines that a counter is a marker placed on an object or player that modifies its characteristics or interacts with other rules, abilities, or effects. Counters themselves are not objects and have no characteristics of their own.
6. Does Deathtouch give poison counters?
No, deathtouch does not inherently give poison counters. A card ability would have to state that it grants poison counters. However, it is possible to have a creature with both deathtouch and a poison ability. For example, a card may grant the ability: “Whenever a creature you control with deathtouch deals combat damage to a player, that player gets two poison counters”.
7. What are positive and negative counters?
In a general sense, positive and negative counters can refer to any system that tracks both increases and decreases. In MTG, the primary example is +1/+1 counters (positive) and -1/-1 counters (negative). These act as a net value for a creature’s strength and toughness.
8. Can MTG end in a draw?
Yes, MTG can end in a draw. This can occur if neither player can win within a certain amount of turns or if a specific card effect leads to a draw. Generally, in tournament play, players are allotted an additional five turns, and if no one has won the match, it is recorded as a draw.
9. Do you lose counters when you phase out?
No, counters remain on a permanent while it’s phased out. Phasing doesn’t cause the permanent to leave or enter the battlefield, it simply temporarily ignores the phased out permanent. So, when the permanent phases back in, it will retain all of its counters.
10. Do minus counters work on indestructible creatures?
Yes, -1/-1 counters can affect indestructible creatures. While indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed by damage, -1/-1 counters can reduce their toughness to zero, resulting in the creature being put in the graveyard. This means -1/-1 counters can effectively remove indestructible creatures, despite not being able to destroy them.
11. Does toxic deal damage in counters?
While toxic is related to counters, it doesn’t deal damage in the form of counters. A creature with toxic deals normal damage; if it deals combat damage to a player, that player also receives a certain amount of poison counters, as indicated on the toxic card. The damage dealt is separate from the poison counters given.
12. Does hexproof stop deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not stop deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being targeted by an opponent’s spells or abilities. Deathtouch is an ability that triggers from combat damage, not a targeted spell. Therefore, a creature with deathtouch will still destroy a creature with hexproof in combat.
13. Does first strike beat deathtouch?
Yes, a creature with first strike can defeat a creature with deathtouch if the first strike damage is enough to destroy the creature with deathtouch before the deathtouch ability triggers. If this occurs, the creature with deathtouch dies before it can deal damage, and no deathtouch effect occurs.
14. Why would a tapped creature need Deathtouch?
Deathtouch on tapped creatures is useful as a deterrent. If a card gives your tapped creatures deathtouch, that means other creatures will have to avoid blocking them because they will all be killed regardless of the blocking creatures toughness. It is particularly useful for low-power creatures, as it will allow them to kill much more powerful blockers.
15. Can you counter a counter in MTG?
Yes, it is possible to counter a counter. If you counter a spell that an opponent is using to counter your spell, then the opponent’s counterspell will be removed from the stack, and their spell will fail to resolve. This means that you can protect your original spell, provided you have a counterspell ready.
Conclusion
The cancellation of +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters is a crucial state-based action in MTG. Understanding how these counters interact is vital for building effective strategies and utilizing cards with counter-related abilities. This article has provided a comprehensive overview of counter mechanics in MTG, helping you enhance your understanding of the game and make more informed decisions during gameplay. By answering these FAQs we hope you now have a more complete understanding of counters in Magic The Gathering!