Does Entering with Counters Count as Putting Counters?
When it comes to counters in Magic: The Gathering, the process of adding them to a permanent can be complex and nuanced. One of the most important questions for players to consider is whether entering with counters counts as putting counters. In this article, we’ll dive into the intricacies of counters and provide a detailed answer to this question.
Direct Answer: Does Entering with Counters Count as Putting Counters?
The simple answer is yes. According to the Comprehensive Rules (CR 603.2), a permanent is "put onto the battlefield" when it’s placed into the battlefield from anywhere. This includes cases where the permanent has counters on it when it enters the battlefield. Therefore, entering with counters counts as putting counters.
Key Rules and Exceptions
While entering with counters counts as putting counters, there are some key rules and exceptions to be aware of:
• Temporary Power/Toughness: When a creature with power and toughness modifies due to counters, it gets temporary power/toughness, which doesn’t trigger any abilities. For example, a creature with a +1/+1 counter gains temporary +1/+1, which won’t trigger abilities like Trample.
• Modified Value: Counters modify a permanent’s value (e.g., power and toughness, loyalty, or life total). This means that even if a creature with counters enters the battlefield with its modified values, those values still apply.
Implications and Strategies
Understanding the rules and implications of entering with counters has significant strategic implications for deck building and gameplay. Some key considerations include:
• Card Draw and Tutoring: Cards like Doubling Season, Serenity, or Rhystic Study can make counters much more impactful. If a deck includes cards that interact with counters, entering with counters can create more value or facilitate additional plays.
• Interaction with Opponent: If an opponent is interacting with a creature, entering with counters can affect their strategy or provide opportunities to create new combinations.
Example Scenarios and Applications
Here are a few example scenarios and applications of entering with counters:
• Ravenous Llama: In this case, a creature like a +1/+1 creature is already powerful when entering the battlefield with +1/+1 counters. When a +1/+1 ability like a trigger is added, the creature gets another +1/+1. The +1/+1 ability becomes the default and will always trigger even after entering with +1/+1 counters.
• Crew 2 Lumbering Satyr: The Satyr can only attack with two creatures if one is the first and another is the last one, regardless of order in hand. In this scenario, if one has entered the battlefield with a counter and another doesn’t have, they cannot form the Lumbering Satyr as intended.
• Split Second Cards: Counters do not trigger when split-second abilities are countered by cards like Abundance of Skulls, even if they were put onto the battlefield.
In Conclusion
In summary, entering with counters does count as putting counters, according to the Comprehensive Rules (CR 603.2). It’s essential for Magic: The Gathering players to understand the rules, exceptions, and strategic implications surrounding counters. By being aware of these intricacies, players can better plan and adapt to the complexities of counters and enhance their overall gameplay experience.