Negative counters
Asked by herrickk 5 years ago
What's the difference between a card that gives "target creature -3/-3 until end of turn" vs "target creature gets a -3/-3 counter (or 3 -1/-1 counters)" ? Are they the same?
Say I play it on a Darksteel Sentinel would they do the same thing and remove it to the graveyard?
I'm trying to figure out if it's better to get -#/-# or -#/-# counter removal spells.
Thanks
Ultimately the basic effect (reduction of power and toughness) is about the same, but as mentioned, one is temporary, and the other is permanent and could be moved around with the right spells or abilities.
Either one would get around a Darksteel Sentinel's indestructibility.
September 19, 2018 10:20 p.m.
Thanks everyone. I didn't realize you could move counters around. I'm relatively new playing so I haven't seen cards that do that yet.
September 20, 2018 10:24 a.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #4
-1/-1 counters can also be nullified by +1/+1 counters; if a creature has both a -1/-1 counter and +1/+1 counter, you remove one of each repeatedly until only one type remains. This only applies to these specific counters - other counter sizes are obscure and only on older cards in very small quantities.
Depending on the circumstances this can be a disadvantage or advantage. Other -X/-X debuffs don't have this peculiar interaction.
DragonKing90 says... Accepted answer #1
they are not the same. a card only applies counters if it specifically says it adds counters. a -1/-1 counter is a physical object that can be moved around, usually represented by dice, whereas "-1/-1 until end of turn" is simply a debuff that stays in place and can't be moved to another creature. -1/-1 counters stay on the creature permanently until the creature either leaves the battlefield, or a separate effect removes them.
September 19, 2018 7:09 p.m.