Can you exile with a shield counter?

Can You Exile with a Shield Counter?

Shield counters are a unique mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that can be both fascinating and confusing. One of the most common questions about shield counters is whether they can be used to exile creatures or other permanents. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of shield counters and answer the question: Can you exile with a shield counter?

What is a Shield Counter?

Before we dive into the answer, let’s take a step back and understand what a shield counter is. A shield counter is a type of counter that can be placed on a permanent, such as a creature or an artifact. When a permanent with a shield counter is dealt damage, the damage is prevented and the shield counter is removed. Shield counters are a replacement effect, meaning they replace the normal effect of dealing damage to the permanent.

Do Shield Counters Prevent Exiling?

Now that we know what a shield counter is, let’s get to the main question: Can you exile with a shield counter? The answer is no, shield counters do not prevent exiling. Shield counters only prevent damage, not destruction or exiling. When a permanent with a shield counter is exiled, the shield counter is removed, but the permanent is still exiled.

Examples of Shield Counters Not Preventing Exiling

Here are a few examples of shield counters not preventing exiling:

• Murder: If a creature with a shield counter is targeted by Murder, the shield counter will be removed, but the creature will still be exiled.
• Liliana’s Reaver: If a creature with a shield counter is targeted by Liliana’s Reaver, the shield counter will be removed, but the creature will still be exiled.
• Abrupt Decay: If an artifact with a shield counter is targeted by Abrupt Decay, the shield counter will be removed, but the artifact will still be exiled.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shield counters do not prevent exiling. Shield counters only prevent damage, not destruction or exiling. While shield counters can be a powerful tool in the right situations, they are not a guarantee of survival. If you’re looking to protect your permanents from exiling, you may want to consider other options, such as indestructible or hexproof.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a shield counter to prevent a creature from being exiled? No, shield counters do not prevent exiling.
• Can I use a shield counter to prevent an artifact from being exiled? No, shield counters do not prevent exiling.
• Can I use a shield counter to prevent a planeswalker from being exiled? No, shield counters do not prevent exiling.

Additional Resources

• Shield Counter Rules: For a detailed explanation of shield counters and how they work, check out the official Magic: The Gathering rules.
• Shield Counter Examples: For more examples of shield counters in action, check out the official Magic: The Gathering website or online communities.

Final Thoughts

Shield counters are a unique and powerful mechanic in Magic: The Gathering, but they are not a guarantee of survival. Shield counters only prevent damage, not destruction or exiling. While they can be a powerful tool in the right situations, they are not a substitute for other forms of protection. By understanding how shield counters work, you can make more informed decisions about how to protect your permanents and build a more effective deck.