Debt to the Deathless Counter

Commander (EDH) forum

Posted on Jan. 9, 2014, 5:17 p.m. by Spootyone

What are the best, if there are any, ways to "counter" Debt to the Deathless in a G/W deck? The fact that it doesn't actually cause damage is really throwing me for a loop. Does anyone know the answer?

And while I know one answer is "win before it goes off", sometimes that just doesn't happen.

CharonSquared says... #2

Gaddock Teeg ftw. Or, if they don't have infinite mana, you can try to gain a bunch of life with something like Celestial Mantle or Beacon of Immortality so that they can't kill you with it.

January 9, 2014 5:24 p.m.

GoldGhost012 says... #3

Kill Crypt Ghast . Really fast. Frontline Medic works too.

January 9, 2014 5:24 p.m.

GoldGhost012 says... #4

Ah dammit, didn't see you were talking about Commander. I thought Standard.

Platinum Emperion and Platinum Angel work too.

January 9, 2014 5:25 p.m.

Spootyone says... #5

Ah, thanks guys. Gaddock Teeg is probably the best choice, I'd say. I can always try to hold on to him until later in the game and then right before I think my opponent is going to go for it, I run him out. Very nice! Thanks!

January 9, 2014 5:27 p.m.

Octrate says... #6

Green and white have a hard time stopping spells... But... If you're looking to iterally counter and they don't have infinite mana. Mana Tithe is a possibility. If you want to not really counter but kind of counter? Platinum Emperion /Platinum Angel or Soul Conduit . Apart from that, you're better off just killing the caster before they can cast it or outlasting the spell with superior lifegain.

January 9, 2014 5:29 p.m.

Octrate says... #7

Oh yeah, Gaddock Teeg , how could I forget my favorite G/W legend like that? He's definitely your best option. Then you can just use stuff like Mother of Runes or Eight-and-a-Half-Tails to keep him around forever.

January 9, 2014 5:32 p.m.

infinitemana says... #8

Witchbane Orb and Dawn Charm are other options

January 9, 2014 6:09 p.m.

Spootyone says... #9

Unfortunately, infinitemana another issue with DttD is that is doesn't target, so things like those and Leyline of Sanctity don't work to prevent its ability.

January 9, 2014 6:32 p.m.

MindAblaze says... #10

Lapse of Certainty works too. Less reliable, and not good all the time but it works...

January 9, 2014 6:55 p.m.

Kcin says... #11

Speaking of Dawn Charm , I can't help but realize a simiarity between that card and the Guild Charms in standard... having the whole "Choose One" mode selection... is this one of or is it the only card(s) they designed them from?

January 9, 2014 8:05 p.m.

namesallgone says... #12

Witchbane Orb and Dawn Charm will not work. There is no targetting going on with Debt to the Deathless , it just hits everyone.

January 9, 2014 8:13 p.m.

MindAblaze says... #13

@ kcin

Over the years there have been many charms.

January 9, 2014 10:04 p.m.

Gienah says... #14

If it doesn't kill you, Dryad Militant to get rid of it for good and Eternity Vessel to stabilize. Maybe Elderscale Wurm after DttD hits to prevent damage from creatures, but more life loss gets through it. If your opponent mostly uses life loss, you can go into the negatives with Phyrexian Unlife without poison counters since you get poisoned for damage and not loss of life.

January 10, 2014 8:58 a.m.

This discussion has been closed