Can You Counterspell Indestructible?
Indestructible is a powerful ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows a permanent to remain on the battlefield even after it has been dealt lethal damage. However, this ability does not mean that the permanent is invincible and cannot be countered. In this article, we will explore the question of whether you can counterspell indestructible.
Direct Answer
Yes, you can counterspell indestructible. However, it’s important to note that the ability to counterspell indestructible is not a guarantee and is dependent on the specific situation and the cards involved.
Understanding Indestructible
Before we dive into the question of whether you can counterspell indestructible, it’s important to understand what the indestructible ability does. Indestructible is a keyword ability that means that a permanent cannot be destroyed by any means. This includes spells, abilities, and effects that would normally destroy a permanent.
Countering Indestructible
So, if a permanent has the indestructible ability, can you still counterspell it? The answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as just playing a counterspell. Indestructible does not prevent a permanent from being countered, but it does prevent it from being destroyed.
How to Counterspell Indestructible
There are a few ways to counterspell indestructible:
- Counterspell: A counterspell can be used to counter an indestructible permanent. This will prevent the permanent from being played or from having its abilities triggered.
- Removal Spells: Removal spells, such as Path to Exile or Supplanter, can be used to remove an indestructible permanent from the battlefield. These spells will destroy the permanent, but since it has the indestructible ability, it will not be destroyed.
- Lifelink: Lifelink is an ability that causes a player to gain life whenever they deal damage to a player. This ability can be used to counter an indestructible permanent by dealing damage to the player who controls the permanent. Lifelink will not destroy the permanent, but it will prevent it from being played or having its abilities triggered.
Examples of Counterspelling Indestructible
Here are a few examples of how you can counterspell indestructible:
- Counterspell: You can play a counterspell to counter an indestructible permanent. This will prevent the permanent from being played or from having its abilities triggered.
- Removal Spells: You can play a removal spell, such as Path to Exile, to remove an indestructible permanent from the battlefield. This will destroy the permanent, but since it has the indestructible ability, it will not be destroyed.
- Lifelink: You can play a lifelink spell, such as Griselbrand, to deal damage to the player who controls an indestructible permanent. This will not destroy the permanent, but it will prevent it from being played or having its abilities triggered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while indestructible is a powerful ability that makes a permanent difficult to destroy, it is not impossible to counterspell. By using counterspells, removal spells, and lifelink, you can counter an indestructible permanent and prevent it from being played or having its abilities triggered.