Does Entering the Battlefield with Counters Count as Putting Them On?
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The short answer is yes, entering the battlefield with counters does count as putting them on. This might seem a bit counterintuitive at first, as it’s not an active action of placing counters onto an existing permanent already on the field. However, the rules of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) explicitly state that when a permanent enters the battlefield with counters, the event of “entering the battlefield” is effectively replaced by the event of “entering the battlefield with counters.” This distinction is crucial for understanding how various card abilities and interactions function.
Why This Matters: Rules and Interactions
Understanding this ruling has significant implications in the game. Many cards in MTG have abilities that trigger or are modified when counters are placed on a permanent. This includes cards that might grant additional benefits for each counter added, or cards that react when a specific number of counters are present. Therefore, a creature that enters the battlefield with, say, three +1/+1 counters is treated as if those counters were put onto it. This interaction is vital for strategic play and understanding how combos work.
The Nuances of Timing
The timing of these counters is also important. When a permanent enters the battlefield with counters, the placing of these counters happens before the card is considered a permanent on the field. This might seem like a technicality, but it prevents other “enter the battlefield” triggered abilities from interfering. It essentially means the counters are already present when the permanent is “seen” by the game. For example, a creature that enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter does not first enter the battlefield as a base creature, and then add the counter. The creature enters as a creature with the +1/+1 counter.
Example Scenarios
Consider a card like Simic Ascendancy. This enchantment has the ability to win the game when a specific condition is met. This condition is related to the number of +1/+1 counters on creatures you control. If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters, it will immediately contribute to the trigger of Simic Ascendancy because it is considered to have had +1/+1 counters put on it.
Another example might involve a card that has a triggered ability that activates “whenever a counter is put on a creature you control”. Again, even though these counters were added as the creature entered the battlefield, they are still considered as having been “put” on the creature for the purpose of triggering this ability.
FAQs: Diving Deeper into Counter Mechanics
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further clarify the intricacies of counters in MTG and their interactions with entering the battlefield:
1. Does moving counters count as putting them on?
Yes, moving counters from one permanent to another does count as putting them on the new target. This is usually explicitly stated on the card that allows the movement of counters.
2. What happens if a creature would enter the battlefield and it wasn’t cast?
Certain cards, like Containment Priest, exile nontoken creatures that enter the battlefield if they weren’t cast. This means if a creature is put directly onto the battlefield from a zone other than the stack (like the graveyard, or your hand, through other card effects) it will be exiled by Containment Priest, as it was not “cast”.
3. Do +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters cancel each other?
Yes, +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters cancel each other out whenever a player would receive priority. However, no other types of counters (like stun counters or loyalty counters) cancel each other out.
4. Do Auras and Equipment count as counters?
No, Auras and Equipment do not grant counters unless they explicitly state that they add counters. Instead, they add temporary power and/or toughness that persists only so long as the Aura or Equipment is attached to the creature.
5. Does a countered creature still enter the battlefield?
No, a countered creature does not enter the battlefield. It goes directly to the graveyard as you would expect.
6. Does doubling counters count as putting counters on?
Yes, doubling counters is considered putting counters on a permanent. This is significant for cards that react when counters are placed on an object, like our example above.
7. What exactly does “enter the battlefield” mean?
“Enters the battlefield” refers to a permanent moving onto the battlefield from any zone (hand, library, graveyard, etc.). It also describes an ability which is triggered when a permanent is put onto the battlefield.
8. Does turning a creature face up count as entering the battlefield?
No, turning a permanent face up does not count as entering the battlefield, as the permanent is on the battlefield both before and after being turned face up. Therefore no “enter the battlefield” abilities will trigger.
9. Does putting a card onto the battlefield count as casting?
No, putting a card onto the battlefield is not casting it as a spell. The act of casting a card is very specific to a card that is cast from your hand (or certain specific locations) and played as a spell on the stack. This distinction is important for cards and abilities that specifically call for “cast”.
10. What happens if a creature enters the battlefield with 0 toughness?
If a creature enters the battlefield with 0 toughness, it is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action immediately. The creature exists on the battlefield for an instant, but its low toughness causes it to die before anything can happen.
11. Does morph count as colorless?
Yes, a card cast face down with morph is considered colorless. This is because the card is turned face down before it is placed on the stack, and any effects that look at that card see only the face-down information.
12. Can you respond to “enter the battlefield” triggers?
Yes, whenever an “enter the battlefield” triggered ability goes on the stack, players can respond with instants and abilities. This allows for interaction with these triggers.
13. Does Deathtouch give poison counters?
No, not inherently. While deathtouch can interact with poison counters indirectly through abilities on other cards, deathtouch itself does not cause poison counters. However, there are some specific cards that provide poison counters that need deathtouch to deal damage to a player.
14. Does a countered spell count as cast?
Yes, a countered spell still counts as cast. The act of casting the spell occurs, even if the spell is negated by a counter.
15. What exactly is a counter in MTG?
In MTG, a counter is a marker placed on an object or player that modifies its characteristics and/or interacts with a rule, ability, or effect. Counters are not objects themselves and have no characteristics, and a counter is not a token.
Conclusion
In summary, while it might not be intuitively obvious, entering the battlefield with counters does indeed count as putting counters on a permanent. This nuanced distinction is crucial for mastering the intricacies of MTG. Understanding this rule opens up a wider range of strategic plays and better comprehension of how card interactions work in the game. By remembering that the counters are considered placed during the entry event itself, you can navigate the complexities of the game more effectively. Remember the rule is that an object enters the battlefield with counters, not as an object then with counters added. This understanding will allow you to fully utilize powerful card abilities and create more synergistic strategies.