Does Veil of Summer Stop a Counterspell?
The short answer is no, Veil of Summer does not directly stop a counterspell. However, the interaction is more nuanced and offers a powerful strategic advantage. While Veil of Summer won’t prevent an opponent from casting a counterspell targeting your spell, it renders that counterspell ineffective if Veil of Summer resolves first. Let’s break it down.
Veil of Summer’s primary function is to provide protection and card advantage when facing blue or black spells. It has two key effects: first, you draw a card when it resolves if an opponent has cast a blue or black spell this turn, and second, you gain hexproof and cannot be countered for the rest of the turn. This second effect is where its power against counterspells lies. If Veil of Summer resolves, your other spells that turn cannot be countered, making you a threat to your opponent’s control.
Here’s the critical sequence:
- You cast a spell (let’s call it “Spell A”).
- Your opponent attempts to counter Spell A with a counterspell.
- In response to the counterspell, you cast Veil of Summer.
- If Veil of Summer resolves before the counterspell, the crucial change happens: you are granted hexproof and gain “cannot be countered” for the rest of the turn.
- Because Veil of Summer resolves before the counterspell, your opponent’s counterspell is now targeting a spell cast by a player who cannot be the target of counterspells for the turn, and the opponent’s counterspell is targeting your spell that cannot be countered for the turn. Effectively rendering it useless, the counterspell will fizzle when it attempts to resolve.
- Then, your original Spell A resolves normally, as it cannot be countered by your opponent any longer.
Therefore, Veil of Summer doesn’t prevent the counterspell from being cast, but it negates its effect if played correctly in response and resolves first. It doesn’t stop the casting, just the resolution.
Understanding the Timing and Stack
The order in which spells resolve in Magic: The Gathering is crucial, and it follows what is called “the stack.” When you cast a spell, it goes onto the stack. Each player gets a chance to respond before the spell resolves. If both players pass, the spell at the top of the stack resolves, and the process repeats.
In the scenario with Veil of Summer and a counterspell, your spell is placed on the stack, then the counterspell, and finally, Veil of Summer. The stack resolves in the reverse order it was added to the stack. Therefore, Veil of Summer is the first spell to resolve, followed by the counterspell, followed by the original spell. This precise order allows Veil of Summer to negate the effect of the counterspell.
The important point to understand is that if Veil of Summer resolved after the counterspell, it would not be able to protect your initial spell.
Strategic Implications
Veil of Summer’s interaction with counterspells makes it a powerful tool against control decks. It’s not just about protecting a single spell; it’s about creating a window of opportunity where your opponent can’t interfere with your plans.
- Card Advantage: The card draw aspect of Veil of Summer, activated by any blue or black spell the opponent has played that turn, adds further value. Even if it doesn’t protect your immediate spell, it replaces itself, giving you more options.
- Forcing the Issue: Players who play counterspells will likely hold onto the counterspells for big threats. A well-timed Veil of Summer can force them to use their counterspells, opening them up for a following string of powerful spells from you.
- Baiting: If you suspect your opponent has counterspells, you can use a relatively low-value spell to bait it out, then follow up with Veil of Summer and your actual threat.
FAQs: Related Questions on Counterspells and Protection
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify counterspells, protection, and related mechanics:
Can You Cast Veil of Summer in Response to a Counterspell?
Yes, absolutely. You can cast Veil of Summer in response to a counterspell targeting your spell. This is a fundamental tactic for utilizing its protection effectively.
How Do You Stop a Counterspell Directly?
You cannot truly prevent a counterspell from being cast. You can only negate its effect through cards like Veil of Summer, by making it an invalid target or by countering the counterspell itself. You can also make sure they don’t have a counterspell with targeted discard.
Does Shroud Protect from Counterspell?
No, shroud does not protect from counterspells. Shroud only affects permanents on the battlefield, and counterspells target spells on the stack.
How Do You Counter Counterspells in MTG?
You can counter a counterspell with another counterspell. This creates a stack of counterspells, requiring strategic decisions on when to commit resources. Also, targeted discard can remove counterspells from an opponent’s hand.
Does Silence Work as a Counterspell?
No, Silence does not work as a counterspell. It prevents your opponents from casting spells for a turn after it resolves. It does not stop spells already on the stack.
Is Veil of Summer the Best Counterspell?
No, Veil of Summer is not the best counterspell, because it can’t stop a counterspell from being cast. It is effective against counterspells once it resolves, however, it also protects from removal and allows you to draw a card if an opponent has played blue or black spells during the turn. It is a very strong card in the correct match-up.
Can I Counterspell Myself?
Yes, you can counterspell your own spell. This is sometimes used for strategic advantage, such as negating a wild magic surge or to reset a spell on the stack.
Can You Absorb a Counterspell?
Certain effects, like specific artifacts (e.g., Rod of Absorption), can allow you to absorb a counterspell. However, this is a specific interaction and not a general rule.
Does Hexproof Stop Counterspells?
No, hexproof does not stop counterspells. Hexproof only protects permanents on the battlefield from being targeted by your opponents. Counterspells target spells on the stack.
Can a Mage Counterspell a Counterspell?
Yes, you can counter a counterspell with another counterspell. This often leads to counter wars.
Can You Dispel Counterspell?
While you can attempt to dispel a counterspell, a card like Dispel Magic is not a replacement for a counterspell. It is a more narrow counterspell targeting a spell with certain effects, and would be effective at countering the counterspell itself, not the original spell the counterspell is targeting.
Can Fork Counter a Counterspell?
Yes, when you Fork a counterspell, the Fork will go on the stack over the counterspell, and resolve before the counterspell, and the Forked copy will counter the original counterspell.
Does Counterspell Break Invisibility?
Yes, casting any spell, including Counterspell, will break invisibility. The act of casting reveals your position.
Can You Counterspell Twice?
You can only use a counterspell once per turn because it uses a reaction. You can counterspell multiple times if other players are using counterspells.
Can You Counterspell a Cantrip?
You cannot Counterspell a cantrip. Cantrips do not use spell slots and therefore are not a valid target for Counterspell. However, it is possible to counter other spells cast by a player who cast a cantrip.