Do You Lose Counters When Phasing Out in MTG?
Phasing out is a fascinating mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to temporarily remove a permanent from the game. But what happens to the counters on that permanent when it phases out? In this article, we’ll dive into the rules and explore the answer to this question.
Direct Answer: No, You Don’t Lose Counters When Phasing Out
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, counters remain on a permanent even when it phases out. This means that if a permanent has counters on it, such as +1/+1 counters or -1/-1 counters, those counters will still be attached to the permanent when it phases out.
Why Do Counters Remain?
The reason counters remain on a permanent when it phases out is that phasing out doesn’t count as leaving the battlefield. This is important to note, as it means that the permanent is not actually leaving the game, it’s just being temporarily removed from play. As a result, any effects that trigger when a permanent leaves the battlefield will not trigger when it phases out.
What Happens When the Permanent Phases Back In?
When a permanent phases back in, it will retain any counters that were on it when it phased out. This means that if a permanent had +1/+1 counters on it when it phased out, it will still have those counters when it phases back in. Similarly, if a permanent had -1/-1 counters on it when it phased out, it will still have those counters when it phases back in.
Phasing Out and Aura Counters
Auras are a type of enchantment that attach to permanents and give them specific abilities. When a permanent phases out, any auras attached to it will also phase out. However, the counters on those auras will remain. For example, if an aura has +1/+1 counters on it, those counters will remain even when the aura phases out.
Phasing Out and Equipment Counters
Equipment is a type of artifact that can be attached to permanents, giving them specific abilities. When a permanent phases out, any equipment attached to it will also phase out. However, the counters on that equipment will remain. For example, if an equipment has +1/+1 counters on it, those counters will remain even when the equipment phases out.
Conclusion
In conclusion, counters remain on a permanent even when it phases out. This is because phasing out doesn’t count as leaving the battlefield, and any effects that trigger when a permanent leaves the battlefield will not trigger when it phases out. When a permanent phases back in, it will retain any counters that were on it when it phased out. Understanding how counters work when phasing out is important for any Magic: The Gathering player, and can help you make informed decisions during gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do counters remain on a permanent when it phases out? Yes, counters remain on a permanent even when it phases out.
- Why do counters remain? Counters remain because phasing out doesn’t count as leaving the battlefield.
- What happens to auras when a permanent phases out? Auras will also phase out when a permanent phases out, but the counters on those auras will remain.
- What happens to equipment when a permanent phases out? Equipment will also phase out when a permanent phases out, but the counters on that equipment will remain.
Table: Counters and Phasing Out
| Permanent Status | Counters |
|---|---|
| Phased Out | Remain |
| Phased Back In | Retain |
Bullets List: Key Points
• Counters remain on a permanent even when it phases out.
• Phasing out doesn’t count as leaving the battlefield.
• Auras will phase out when a permanent phases out, but the counters on those auras will remain.
• Equipment will phase out when a permanent phases out, but the counters on that equipment will remain.
• When a permanent phases back in, it will retain any counters that were on it when it phased out.