Does Saw in Half Keep the Counters?
In Magic: The Gathering, the ability to "saw in half" a creature is a powerful tool for removing unwanted creatures from the battlefield. But what happens to the counters on those creatures when they’re sawn in half? In this article, we’ll dive into the rules surrounding sawing in half and counters, and explore the answer to this question.
Does Saw in Half Keep the Counters?
The short answer is: no, sawing in half does not keep the counters. When a creature is sawn in half, it is removed from the battlefield and all its counters are discarded.
What Happens to the Counters?
When a creature with counters is sawn in half, the counters are removed from the game and do not remain on the battlefield. This is because sawing in half is a form of destruction, and destruction removes all permanents, including counters.
Counters and Destruction
In Magic: The Gathering, destruction is a mechanic that removes permanents from the game. This includes creatures, planeswalkers, and even counters. When a permanent is destroyed, it is removed from the game and all its effects are cancelled.
Sawing in Half and Counters
Sawing in half is a form of destruction that specifically targets creatures. When a creature is sawn in half, it is removed from the game and all its counters are discarded. This is because sawing in half is a destruction effect that specifically targets creatures, and counters are a type of permanent that is removed from the game when a creature is destroyed.
Examples
Here are a few examples of how sawing in half affects counters:
- Example 1: You have a creature with 3 +1/+1 counters on it. You cast Saw in Half and target the creature. The creature is removed from the game and all its counters are discarded.
- Example 2: You have a creature with 2 poison counters on it. You cast Saw in Half and target the creature. The creature is removed from the game and all its poison counters are discarded.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sawing in half does not keep the counters on a creature. When a creature is sawn in half, it is removed from the game and all its counters are discarded. This is because sawing in half is a destruction effect that specifically targets creatures, and counters are a type of permanent that is removed from the game when a creature is destroyed.
Key Takeaways
- Sawing in half removes a creature from the game and all its counters are discarded.
- Destruction is a mechanic that removes permanents from the game, including counters.
- Counters are a type of permanent that is removed from the game when a creature is destroyed.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- Keep an eye on your opponent’s life total: If your opponent has a creature with counters on it, and you have a way to destroy it, it may be worth considering sawing it in half to remove the counters and gain an advantage.
- Be careful with your own creatures: If you have a creature with counters on it, and you’re not careful, your opponent may be able to destroy it and remove the counters.
- Consider the long game: While sawing in half may seem like a quick way to remove a creature, it’s important to consider the long game and whether or not it will ultimately help you gain an advantage.
I hope this article has helped clarify the rules surrounding sawing in half and counters. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!