Do +1/+1 counters get removed when combat damage is dealt?
Asked by Icicle645 6 years ago
If there is a 3/3 with a +1/+1 counter and a 1/1 blocks it, does the counter get removed?
hyperlocke says... #3
You seem quite new to the game, so let's expand a little on that.
Just like how "land" and "mana" are two totally different but somewhat interlinked concepts, so are "power/toughness" and "damage".
Simplified, the P/T of a creature is determined by the values on the card itself, plus static buffs from things like Bad Moon or Giant Growth, plus counters (+1/+1 and -1/-1 are the most common).
When a creature is dealt damage, this damage is virtually marked on the creature. If it gets damaged again in the same turn, that damage is added to the previous damage. In the cleanup step (after the end of turn step), all damage marked on creatures is removed.
See how these concepts are different? Your 3/3 creature with a +1/+1 counter is a 4/4 all in all. It gets 1 damage. This damage is marked on the creature, so now it's a 4/4 with 1 damage. Right now, P/T and damage have nothing to do with each other.
They are interlinked, however. When the damage marked on a creature is equal to or greater than its toughness, the creature is put into its owner's graveyard.
So, if I were to cast Lightning Bolt targetting your creature, it would now be a 4/4 with 1+3=4 damage marked on it. The damage dealt this turn is equal to the creature's toughness, so it is put into your graveyard.
chosenone124 says... Accepted answer #1
No it doesn't barring special card effects like Wither or Infect.
August 1, 2017 12:53 a.m.