Does Phasing Out Lose Counters? A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering’s Ethereal Mechanic
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is a resounding no, phasing out does not remove counters from a permanent in Magic: The Gathering. Think of phasing as a temporary state of non-existence rather than a physical removal or relocation. The permanent, along with everything attached to it, simply vanishes from the battlefield, only to reappear during its controller’s next untap step.
Imagine you’re a wizard playing a game of hide-and-seek with the fabric of reality itself. Phasing is like temporarily slipping into another dimension, leaving no trace behind but returning exactly as you were. Everything goes with you – counters, enchantments, equipment, even summoning sickness status! The game simply forgets you exist for a moment.
Now, let’s delve deeper into this fascinating mechanic and address some common questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Phasing
What Exactly Is Phasing?
Phasing is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows permanents to temporarily disappear from the battlefield. A phased-out permanent is treated as if it doesn’t exist. It can’t be targeted by spells or abilities, it doesn’t participate in combat, and it effectively vanishes until it phases back in during its controller’s next untap step. This mechanic is often used to protect permanents from removal or to temporarily disrupt an opponent’s board presence.
Does Phasing Trigger Enter-the-Battlefield (ETB) or Leave-the-Battlefield (LTB) Abilities?
Absolutely not. Because the permanent isn’t leaving or entering the battlefield, but rather ceasing to exist temporarily, neither ETB nor LTB effects are triggered. This is a crucial distinction. Consider it this way: the card doesn’t change zones, thus it’s not considered leaving or entering the battlefield.
Does Phasing Work with Tokens?
Yes, it does! Tokens continue to exist while phased out and phase back in just like any other permanent. This is a key point, as tokens that are removed from the battlefield cease to exist. Phasing offers a crucial layer of protection for your precious token armies.
Do I Still Control a Phased-Out Permanent?
Yes, you do. Control of the permanent remains with the player who controlled it when it phased out. When the permanent phases back in, it returns to your control. This is fundamental to understanding how phasing interacts with other game mechanics. This also helps prevent an opponent from stealing control of a creature and then phasing it out to permanently keep it from you.
What Happens to Auras and Equipment Attached to a Permanent That Phases Out?
Here’s the beauty of phasing: Auras and Equipment attached to a permanent phase out with it. They remain attached when the permanent phases back in. You don’t lose your valuable enchantments or powerful equipment simply because your creature took a quick trip to the ethereal plane.
Does Phasing Remove Summoning Sickness?
Not necessarily. If a creature has summoning sickness, phasing it out doesn’t magically cure it. Summoning sickness only goes away at the start of your turn, after you’ve continuously controlled the creature since the beginning of that turn. So, if a creature phases out before that untap step, it will still have summoning sickness when it phases back in. As long as they’ve experienced an upkeep before being phased out, creatures and permanents aren’t affected by summoning sickness and can use all abilities they’ve got.
Can a Phased-Out Commander Go to the Command Zone?
No. The act of phasing doesn’t qualify as “leaving the battlefield” for the purposes of the Commander format’s special rules. Your Commander remains phased out until it phases back in during your next untap step. You cannot move it to the command zone.
Does Phasing Protect Against Board Wipes?
Absolutely! One of the most common uses for phasing effects is to dodge devastating board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation. By phasing out your permanents, you effectively shield them from destruction. However, always remember phasing does not protect against exile board wipes.
Does Phasing Out Change Zones?
No. Phasing is not a zone change. Permanents that phase out simply cease to exist until they phase back in. They are not exiled, put into the graveyard, or moved to any other zone. The phased-out permanent is essentially gone, but it’s not in any of the game’s defined zones.
If “Out of Time” Phases Out, What Happens?
This scenario highlights the potential for some truly bizarre board states! “Out of Time” is a card that phases out all creatures, putting time counters on it. As the counters are removed, the creatures phase back in. However, if “Out of Time” itself phases out, its counters don’t go away. Because the game can’t remove the final counter, creatures will remain phased out indefinitely. This is a niche case but a powerful one that can lock your opponent out of the game, especially in Commander formats.
Does Phasing Out Reset Choices Made Upon Entering the Battlefield?
No. Because phasing doesn’t trigger any ETB or LTB, any choices made when the object entered the battlefield or was cast as a spell are retained. This goes hand in hand with objects phasing back in exactly how they phased out (tapped, equipped, etc.).
What If I Phase Out a Permanent with Linked Abilities?
Linked abilities, those which specifically refer to the permanent to which they belong, are retained. The connection between the abilities and the permanent is not severed by phasing. The permanent will phase back in with its linked abilities intact.
Is Phasing the Same as Exiling?
Absolutely not! Exiling is a permanent removal effect. When a permanent is exiled, it goes to the exile zone and typically stays there unless another card specifically brings it back. Phasing is a temporary disappearance. The permanent always returns at the beginning of your next untap step. These are fundamentally different mechanics with very different implications for gameplay.
Does Phasing Affect Continuous Effects Targeting the Phased-Out Permanent?
Continuous effects that affect a phased-out permanent may expire while that permanent is phased out. If so, they will no longer affect that permanent once it’s phased in. This is an important nuance to remember when dealing with auras or other ongoing effects that target a phased-out permanent.
How Can I Learn More About MTG Mechanics?
The world of Magic: The Gathering is rich with strategic depth and intricate mechanics. For those interested in further exploration, I recommend exploring the resources offered by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization provides a wealth of information and learning opportunities for gamers of all levels. They delve into the cognitive and social aspects of gaming, offering valuable insights into game design and mechanics.
Understanding phasing, like understanding any complex game mechanic, can significantly improve your gameplay and strategic decision-making. Knowing that your counters are safe, your auras remain attached, and your tokens are protected can make all the difference in a tight match. So, embrace the ethereal and master the art of phasing!