G.7 - Countering Spells and Abilities


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G.7.1- A spell or ability may be countered at any time it is on the stack (see Rule T.2) before it resolves. See Rule T.5. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.7.2- When a spell is countered, it is removed from the stack (see Rule T.2) and placed in its owner's graveyard. The spell never resolves and has no effect. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.7.Ruling.1- Once a spell or ability is countered, it is no longer on the stack, so any other spells targeting it will later fail since it is an illegal target. [D'Angelo 1999/05/01]

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G.7.Ruling.2- Costs (see Rule G.6) paid when playing the spell or ability are lost. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.7.Ruling.3- The spell or ability is still considered "successfully played" (see Rule T.5) because it was successfully put onto the stack. [D'Angelo 1999/05/01] Note that "successfully played" means "successfully announced".

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Note- Spells (see Rule K.23) and abilities (see Rule A.1) are different things, and counterspells usually work on one or the other. For example, a Power Sink counters a spell so cannot target a Prodigal Sorcerer's ability. [D'Angelo 1999/05/01]

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