Does Ghostly Flicker Stop Removal? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, Ghostly Flicker absolutely can stop removal spells in Magic: The Gathering! This simple yet powerful common from Avacyn Restored can be a game-changer in the right situation, turning your opponent’s carefully laid plans to dust. By exiling and then immediately returning a creature (and another permanent!), you create a new game object, effectively dodging the targeted removal. Let’s delve into the intricacies of how and why this works, and explore the many other applications of flicker effects.
Understanding “Flicker” and How It Works
The term “flicker,” often also referred to as “blink,” describes effects that exile a permanent and then return it to the battlefield immediately. This seemingly simple action has profound consequences thanks to how Magic’s rules handle permanents that change zones. When a permanent is exiled and then returns, it is considered a brand new game object. It retains no memory of its previous existence on the battlefield.
The crucial point is that removal spells target specific permanents. If the targeted permanent ceases to exist before the removal spell resolves, the spell has no legal target and will fizzle. This is where Ghostly Flicker shines. By casting it in response to a removal spell targeting your creature, you essentially replace the targeted creature with a new, untargeted one. The removal spell, still aimed at the old, now-exiled creature, fails to find its mark.
Example Scenario: Dodging Murder
Your opponent casts Murder targeting your powerful Grizzly Bears. In response, you cast Ghostly Flicker targeting the Grizzly Bears and a land. Ghostly Flicker resolves first. Your Grizzly Bears is exiled and immediately returns to the battlefield as a brand new Grizzly Bears. The land is also exiled and returns. Now, when Murder tries to resolve, it is looking for the original Grizzly Bears you controlled, which is no longer on the battlefield. Because it can’t find its target, Murder fizzles, and your new Grizzly Bears lives to fight another day!
Ghostly Flicker Beyond Removal: A Versatile Tool
Ghostly Flicker isn’t just a defensive trick; it’s a versatile tool with many applications. Here are a few key uses:
- Reusing Enter-the-Battlefield (ETB) Effects: One of the most common and powerful uses is to trigger ETB effects multiple times. Cards with strong ETB effects become significantly more valuable when you can trigger them repeatedly.
- Resetting Counters: Flickering a creature removes all counters on it, both beneficial and detrimental. This can save a creature with -1/-1 counters or reset +1/+1 counters to start over.
- Removing Auras and Equipment: Flickering a creature will cause any Auras and Equipment attached to it to become unattached. The Equipment will remain on the battlefield, but the Auras will typically go to the graveyard if they don’t have anything to attach to.
- Flickering Lands for Mana: Flicker effects can be used on lands. This allows you to trigger landfall triggers again or flicker lands that create multiple mana per turn for a burst of mana.
Ghostly Flicker, the Games Learning Society, and Strategy
Learning to effectively use cards like Ghostly Flicker demonstrates a keen understanding of game mechanics and strategic thinking. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) understands this connection, researching how games, including TCGs like Magic: The Gathering, can foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills. Mastering Ghostly Flicker exemplifies these skills in action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Ghostly Flicker and Flicker Effects
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Ghostly Flicker and similar flicker effects, offering a deeper understanding of their nuances and interactions within the game:
1. Does Ghostly Flicker need two targets?
Yes, Ghostly Flicker requires two targets: both permanents must be either artifacts, creatures, and/or lands. You can target two creatures, two artifacts, two lands, or any combination of these.
2. Can I Ghostly Flicker a creature and a land I don’t control?
No, Ghostly Flicker specifically targets permanents you control.
3. Does flickering a creature give it summoning sickness again?
Yes, when a creature is flickered, it returns to the battlefield as a new permanent. This means it is considered a new creature entering the battlefield, and therefore it will have summoning sickness. You cannot attack with it or activate any of its tap or untap abilities unless you have controlled it continuously since the beginning of your turn.
4. Does flickering a creature remove counters?
Yes, flickering removes all counters from a creature. This includes +1/+1 counters, -1/-1 counters, stun counters, and any other type of counter.
5. Does flickering a creature cause Auras to fall off?
Yes, when a creature is flickered, Auras attached to it will become unattached and go to the graveyard (unless they can legally attach to another permanent).
6. Does flickering a creature cause Equipment to fall off?
Yes, flickering a creature will cause Equipment attached to it to become unattached. The Equipment will remain on the battlefield, ready to be equipped to another creature.
7. Does Ghostly Flicker protect against board wipes?
No, Ghostly Flicker generally does not protect against board wipes. Board wipes typically destroy all creatures (or a certain type of permanent) simultaneously. When Ghostly Flicker resolves, the creatures leaves and enters the battlefield. After that, the board wipe resolves, destroying all creatures, including the one you flickered.
8. What happens if I Ghostly Flicker a token creature?
If you Ghostly Flicker a creature token, it will be exiled, and then it will try to return to the battlefield. However, tokens that leave the battlefield cease to exist. Thus, it will not return. This effectively removes the token permanently.
9. Can I flicker an artifact creature?
Yes, you can target artifact creatures with Ghostly Flicker.
10. If I flicker a creature with an aura that says “enchant creature you control”, and I don’t control any other creatures, what happens to the aura?
The aura will go to the graveyard because when the creature returns to the battlefield, the aura will be unattached and there are no valid targets to attach to. Since it cannot remain on the battlefield without being attached to a legal permanent, it is placed into its owner’s graveyard.
11. Can I cast Ghostly Flicker on an opponent’s creature and my land?
No, Ghostly Flicker can only target permanents you control.
12. Does flickering remove summoning sickness?
Flickering does not remove summoning sickness, it effectively gives it again. The creature returns as a new object on the battlefield, and thus is subject to summoning sickness.
13. How does Ghostly Flicker interact with creatures that have triggered abilities when they leave the battlefield?
If a creature has a triggered ability when it leaves the battlefield, such as “When this creature leaves the battlefield, draw a card,” that ability will trigger when it is exiled by Ghostly Flicker. Then, when it returns to the battlefield, any “When this creature enters the battlefield” abilities will trigger as well.
14. Can Ghostly Flicker target enchantments?
No, Ghostly Flicker can only target artifacts, creatures, and lands.
15. If I flicker a creature that’s part of a mutated creature, what happens?
When a mutated creature is exiled with Ghostly Flicker, the creature is exiled, then becomes separate objects. When they are returned, the individual creatures that made up the mutation enter the battlefield.
Conclusion: Ghostly Flicker – A Staple for Control and Value
Ghostly Flicker is more than just a simple common; it’s a powerful tool that can be used both defensively and offensively. Its ability to dodge removal, reset counters, and reuse ETB effects makes it a valuable addition to many decks. Understanding the intricacies of flicker effects is crucial for any serious Magic: The Gathering player. Mastering these techniques not only improves your gameplay but also fosters the strategic thinking encouraged by organizations like the Games Learning Society. Now go forth and flicker with confidence!