Does A Countered Spell Count As Cast? The Surprising Answer

Casting a spell is a core action in Magic: The Gathering. It’s how you bring your cards to life and make them do their thing. To cast a spell, you first take a card from your hand and place it on the stack. Then you pay the spell’s costs (usually mana), and finally, the spell will resolve and have its effect.

This process was previously called “playing” a spell. But the term “casting” is now used consistently, which helps make the game clearer and easier to learn.

You can think of the stack as a temporary holding area for spells. This is where spells wait to be resolved and have their effect. Once a spell is on the stack, you can’t change your mind and take it back.

It’s also important to know that casting a spell isn’t just about putting it on the stack. You also need to pay the spell’s costs. These costs can be mana, life, or even cards in your hand. The specific costs will vary from spell to spell.

If you don’t pay the costs, the spell won’t resolve and won’t have any effect. But if you do pay the costs, your spell will eventually resolve and have its intended effect.

Some cards have abilities that trigger when you cast them. These abilities trigger even if the spell is countered. Let’s break this down:

When a spell is cast: This is the moment you put it onto the stack.
When a spell enters the battlefield: This happens after the spell resolves.

Counter Magic does not stop the ability from triggering. If you’re trying to stop an ability triggered by casting a spell, you’ll need a different approach, like counterspells or interacting with the ability.

Think of it like this: The ability is a separate effect from the spell itself. Countering the spell is like stopping the car before it reaches its destination. The ability has already been activated and will still happen, even though the spell itself is stopped.

Here’s an example:

Imagine a card with the ability, “When you cast this spell, draw a card.” If an opponent counters your spell before it resolves, it doesn’t stop you from drawing a card. The ability triggered when you cast it, and that effect is independent of the spell’s resolution.

Understanding how triggered abilities work is important for effective gameplay because you can use them to your advantage. If your opponent has a spell with a powerful triggered ability, you can try to counter it before it resolves.

It’s also important to remember that some triggered abilities can be countered themselves. For example, if a card has the ability, “When you cast this spell, create a 1/1 white creature token,” you can use an instant to counter that ability. However, this will only stop the token from being created. It won’t stop the spell from resolving.

Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Storm and how it interacts with countered spells.

You can change the target of each copy of a spell with a target, and you make that choice for each copy individually. When you’re counting spells for Storm, you need to remember that it includes spells cast face down, from zones other than your hand, and spells that were countered.

This means that if a spell is countered, it still counts towards your Storm count. The fact that it was countered doesn’t negate the fact that it was cast. Think of it like this: Even if a spell doesn’t resolve, the act of casting it still triggers Storm. It’s like throwing a dart at a dartboard. Even if the dart doesn’t hit the bullseye, you still threw the dart, right?

A countered spell is like a dart that misses the bullseye. The fact that it missed doesn’t mean you didn’t throw it, and the fact that it was countered doesn’t mean it wasn’t cast.

Let’s imagine you’re playing a deck with a lot of spells with Storm, like [[Goblin Electromancer]]. You cast a Fireball, but your opponent counters it with Counterspell. Even though the Fireball was countered, it still counts towards your Storm count.

Why? Because you cast the spell, and that action triggers Storm.

This can be super impactful, especially when you’re trying to trigger powerful cards like [[Lightning Bolt]] multiple times with Storm. You cast the Lightning Bolt, it gets countered, but because of Storm, you get to cast it again, and again, and again!

Remember, even though countered spells don’t resolve, they still trigger the Storm ability. So, even if your opponent is trying to counter your spells, you can still use Storm to your advantage!

Counterspells are a powerful tool in magic, but they can also be a source of controversy. Do counterspells trigger crimes? Yes, they can, if they target a spell that is itself a crime.

For example, let’s say someone casts a spell to steal money from a bank. If you cast a counterspell to stop the theft, you would not be committing a crime. The crime was the initial spell, and your counterspell was a justified act of self-defense, or perhaps a defense of property, or defense of others. However, if you cast a counterspell against a spell that is not illegal, like a spell to make flowers bloom, you might find yourself in trouble with the law.

The key here is the intent of the initial spell. If the spell is illegal, then a counterspell can be seen as a legitimate way to prevent harm. But if the spell is not illegal, then a counterspell could be considered an act of aggression.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a legal expert before casting any kind of counterspell. They can help you understand the laws in your area and how they apply to magical practice. This way you can ensure that you’re using your magic responsibly and ethically. It is important to note that magic laws vary widely depending on where you live.

Here are some important things to remember when considering the legality of counterspells:

The intent of the original spell: Was the original spell intended to harm someone or something? Or was it simply meant to achieve a harmless goal?
The nature of the original spell: Was the original spell a crime in itself? Or was it simply a morally objectionable act?
The consequences of the counterspell: Will the counterspell result in harm to anyone or anything?

By carefully considering these factors, you can help to ensure that your use of counterspells is both legal and ethical.

You’re right, casting still happens even if a spell is countered. The spell just doesn’t have any effect. This means you can’t use a countered spell to get around the bonus action spell rule. Remember, the bonus action spell rule doesn’t actually limit you to one leveled spell per turn.

Counterspell is a powerful spell that allows you to stop another spell from taking effect. But, it’s important to know that you can actually counterspell another counterspell. That’s right! You can use your counterspell to stop someone from using their counterspell to stop another spell. This can lead to some very exciting and strategic gameplay, as players try to outwit each other with their counterspells.

Let’s take a closer look at how counterspell works. When you cast counterspell, you target a spell that is being cast by another creature. If you succeed on the counterspell spell attack roll, the target spell is countered, meaning it has no effect.

While a counterspell is successful, the spellcaster still expended a spell slot to cast their spell, which is worth remembering if they are trying to use multiple spells. But, you should keep in mind that if your counterspell is countered, then the spell you were trying to stop will go through. So, if you’re trying to stop a powerful spell, it’s important to make sure that you can successfully cast counterspell.

A counterspell is a powerful spell that can be used to disrupt the plans of your opponents. By understanding how it works, you can use it to your advantage and turn the tide of battle.

Let’s dive into the magical world of copying spells! You might be wondering, “If I copy a spell, does that mean I’m casting it again?” Well, here’s the good news: copying a spell doesn’t count as casting it again.

Copying a spell means you’re essentially making a duplicate of it. Think of it like making a photocopy—you have the same information, but it’s not the original. The copy is placed on the stack, which is where all spells and abilities wait their turn to be resolved.

A copy of a spell isn’t cast, just like a copy of an activated ability isn’t activated. This means you don’t need to pay the mana cost again or meet any other casting requirements for the copied spell. It simply goes onto the stack and waits its turn to be resolved.

For example, imagine you have a spell called “Fireball” that deals 3 damage to a creature. If you copy “Fireball” using a card like “Twincast,” you’ll have two copies of “Fireball” on the stack. These copies will both resolve, dealing 3 damage each, without you needing to cast them again.

Remember, copying a spell is just about creating a copy, not re-casting the original. This distinction is important because it affects how the copied spell interacts with the game. The original spell still exists and is unaffected by the copy. So, keep your spell-copying magic handy, but remember that copying a spell is not the same as casting it.

You can definitely counterspell a counterspell. A counterspell targets a spell, and spells exist on the stack before they resolve, giving players a chance to target them. This means that when a player casts a counterspell to counter another spell, another player can cast a counterspell to counter the first counterspell.

This is a powerful interaction that can completely change the course of a game. Imagine a situation where a player casts a powerful spell that would win them the game. Another player could cast a counterspell to stop the spell, but then the first player could cast a counterspell to counter the counterspell. This would allow the original spell to resolve, winning the game for the first player.

This interaction is a key part of the game’s strategy. Players need to be aware of the potential for counterspells and plan their plays accordingly. They also need to be able to react quickly to counterspells and counter them with their own counterspells.

It’s important to note that counterspells can only be used to counter other spells. They cannot be used to counter abilities, triggers, or other effects. This means that if a player casts an ability that would deal damage to another player, a counterspell would not be able to stop it.

So, can you counterspell a counterspell? Absolutely! It’s a key interaction in the game, and one that can lead to some exciting and strategic moments.

Counters in Magic: The Basics

Counters are not permanents in Magic: The Gathering. They’re not even objects. A permanent is a card or token on the battlefield. You can think of counters as temporary markers that track information about a permanent or a player.

Counters come in many different forms, like +1/+1 counters, -1/-1 counters, poison counters, and even loyalty counters. These counters can affect how a permanent works, its power and toughness, or how much damage a player can take.

For example, if a creature has a +1/+1 counter on it, it will have one more power and one more toughness than its printed value. Or, if a player has three poison counters, they lose the game.

Counters are important because they can change the game in a heartbeat. They can make a weak creature strong, or they can take a powerful creature down a notch. They can also turn the tide of battle in a player’s favor.

But remember, counters are just temporary markers. They can be removed from a permanent or player. They can be added or removed by spells, abilities, or even by the effects of other permanents. So, while counters can be powerful tools, they’re not permanent changes to the game. They’re just a way to keep track of information.

Let’s break down how +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters interact in Magic: The Gathering.

When a creature has both +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters on it, they cancel each other out in pairs until only one type of counter remains. This is a simple and straightforward rule, designed to ensure a balanced and fair gameplay experience.

Think of it like this: Imagine a creature with three +1/+1 counters and two -1/-1 counters. They’ll cancel out in pairs, removing two +1/+1 counters and two -1/-1 counters, leaving the creature with just one +1/+1 counter.

This cancellation process happens automatically, so you don’t need to worry about manually removing counters. The game handles it for you.

Let’s dive a little deeper into how this works:

The order of cancellation doesn’t matter. The counters are removed in pairs, regardless of the order they were placed on the creature.
Counters can be added and removed at the same time. For instance, if a creature gains two +1/+1 counters and one -1/-1 counter simultaneously, the net result is one +1/+1 counter.
This rule applies to all types of +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters, regardless of their source. It doesn’t matter if they came from a spell, an ability, or an effect.

Understanding how +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters interact is crucial for effective play. It can help you predict the impact of spells and abilities, as well as plan your strategies. Keep this rule in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering!

Let’s dive into what happens when a spell isn’t countered.

When you cast a spell, meaning you put it on the stack and pay its costs, it’s considered cast even if it gets countered later. If the spell survives the counter magic, it will resolve, which means its effect takes place. The “if you cast another spell named…” part of a spell’s text, like a triggered ability, only happens if the spell actually resolves and doesn’t get countered.

Think of it this way: Casting a spell is like sending a letter. Putting the letter in the mailbox (paying the cost) is like casting the spell. The letter might not get delivered (like the spell being countered), but the act of putting it in the mailbox happened regardless. If the letter is delivered (the spell resolves), then the message inside the letter (the effect of the spell) takes place.

Let’s explore this a bit deeper. When a spell is put on the stack, it’s like waiting in line. Players can react to what’s being cast, including trying to counter the spell with other spells or abilities. Counterspells are magic designed to stop spells from resolving. If no one plays a counter spell or other ability to prevent the spell from resolving, then the spell’s effect happens.

For example, if you cast a Fireball, and no one counters it, it will resolve and deal 3 damage to a creature or player of your choice. But if someone plays a Counterspell to counter your Fireball, then your Fireball will be removed from the stack, and its effect will not happen. The Fireball was cast, but it didn’t get to resolve.

This is a simplified explanation, as there are many different types of spells and abilities that can interact with the stack. But understanding the basics of how casting, resolving, and countering works is essential to mastering the game.

Absolutely! A player can indeed counter a spell. However, they don’t get a chance to do so until after you’ve finished casting your spell, and any *when cast* triggers have gone off and been placed on the stack. Only then can a player step in and try to counter your spell. But don’t worry, even if your spell is countered, the triggered ability that went on the stack remains there, ready to resolve as a separate thing.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into this. The whole process happens in a very specific order. First, you announce your spell and start casting it. This means you pay the mana cost and follow the instructions on the card. Once you’ve finished all those steps, your spell is “on the stack”. This is where things get interesting.

While the spell is on the stack, other players get a chance to respond to it. This is where counterspells come into play. A player can cast a counterspell targeting your spell, hoping to stop it from resolving. If a counterspell is successful, your spell is “countered,” meaning it’s removed from the stack and nothing happens.

However, remember that triggered ability you activated earlier? It’s still there, separate from your spell. Even if your spell is countered, the triggered ability still resolves as normal. So, even though your spell didn’t work, you might still get some kind of effect from the triggered ability.

Let’s take an example. You cast Lightning Bolt, targeting your opponent. Your opponent casts Counterspell, targeting your Lightning Bolt. The Lightning Bolt is countered, so it doesn’t deal damage to your opponent. But, you also had a *when cast* trigger on a creature card that says “When you cast a spell, draw a card.” Since this trigger went on the stack before the Lightning Bolt was countered, it still resolves. You get to draw a card!

So, even though your opponent successfully countered your spell, you still get to benefit from the triggered ability. This shows you that even though a spell might be countered, the game doesn’t stop there. There’s always a chance that other effects will happen, adding a whole new layer of strategy and excitement to the game.

Let’s talk about Counterspell and how it interacts with spells, especially non-cantrips. It’s a common question: Can Counterspell cast a non-Cantrip? The answer is no. Counterspell can only be used to counter other spells, and it can only be used as a reaction to someone else casting a spell. So, if someone uses their bonus action to cast a spell that you then counter with Counterspell, they’ve used their bonus action for the turn, and they can’t cast any other spells that require a bonus action, including non-cantrips.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the mechanics of Counterspell and its interaction with non-cantrips. Imagine a scenario where a player casts a spell like Mass Healing Word, a non-cantrip that requires a bonus action to cast. Another player can react to this by casting Counterspell as a reaction. Even though the Mass Healing Word is countered and has no effect, the caster has still used their bonus action to cast the spell. Because of this, they are unable to cast any other spells for the remainder of their turn that require a bonus action, including other non-cantrips.

It’s important to remember that Counterspell only counters spells. It doesn’t counter other actions like attacking or moving. And, if you’re thinking about using Counterspell to stop a powerful spell, remember that the caster of the countered spell still gets to use their reaction. They might choose to use that reaction to try to counter your Counterspell with a Counterspell of their own. So, think carefully before casting Counterspell, because you might just be starting a spell-slinging duel.

Let’s talk about casting spells! You’re right, casting a spell definitely counts as a cast! This means it will trigger abilities that happen “on cast,” like those found on cards such as Storm, Aetherflux Reservoir, Approach of the Second Sun, and Commander Tax.

It’s important to remember that even if a spell is countered, it still counts as a cast. So, if you cast an Approach of the Second Sun, and it’s countered, you can still cast it a second time! However, for you to win the game, the second Approach needs to resolve.

In Magic: The Gathering, casting a spell is a key action. It’s the process of putting a spell onto the stack and putting its cost on the stack. You do this by paying the spell’s mana cost, then the spell will resolve. But remember, just because you paid the mana cost doesn’t mean the spell will automatically resolve. A spell can be countered, which means it’s removed from the stack before it can take effect.

Even though a spell can be countered, it still counts as a cast for many important abilities in Magic. This includes abilities that trigger “on cast,” like those on cards such as Storm. Storm allows you to cast additional copies of the spell you just cast for each spell you’ve cast before it in the same turn. So if you cast a Storm spell and it’s countered, you can still cast additional copies because you did successfully cast the first one.

So, even if your spell doesn’t always get through, the action of casting it still counts for many important effects in Magic!

Noob question : does a countered spell count as being cast – Reddit

If you cast something (place it on the stack and pay its costs) it counts as being cast, even if it is countered later. If the spell is not countered, it will then resolve (i.e. its effect happens). The “if you cast another spell named…” Reddit

If a spell is countered, do on cast effects still get

Yes. A player doesn’t have a chance to cast a counterspell until after you have finished “casting” your spell, and any Board & Card Games Stack Exchange

Are spells considered cast even if countered? : r/mtg – Reddit

ETB abilities don’t enter the stack when you cast the spell. They enter the stack when the permanent enters the battlefield (as those abilities literally say). When you cast spirited Reddit

When you counter a spell, does it still count as cast?

Simply put: Countering a spell does not stop it from being cast, it stops it from resolving. TappedOut.net

magic the gathering – What exactly does it mean to “cast” a spell …

Casting a spell is essentially playing it, such as from exile, your hand, or the graveyard, by either spending the mana required for it, or using a spell/effect (such as Board & Card Games Stack Exchange

Cast vs counter spell – Magic Rulings – MTG Salvation

You can’t counter spells until they have become cast (and trigger any relevant abilities due to being cast). Once a spell is announced, no one can interrupt the MTG Salvation

Does a fizzled/countered spell count as a casted spell?

A spell is considered cast when you have put it on the stack, made all relevant choices and paid for it. Whether the spell actually resolves later on is irrelevant. MTG Salvation

dnd 5e – Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being

If a counterspelled spell counts as being cast and the spell had a casting time of 1 bonus action, then you cannot use your action to cast a spell, unless that spell Role-playing Games Stack Exchange

Does a spell count as being cast if its countered? – Gaming Pedia

No, a countered spell does not count towards the storm count. The storm mechanic counts the number of spells cast before the current spell. If the spell is NCESC – Employment Security Commission

What do I know, when deciding whether to cast Counterspell?

I’m not entirely clear on how Counterspell works, when trying to counter higher-level spells: the CS description only talks about disrupting a creature you can Role-playing Games Stack Exchange