Can Hindering Light counter creatures?
Asked by HikariKouno 7 years ago
The newly spoiled Emrakul, the Promised End has the following text: When you cast Emrakul, you gain control of target opponent during that player's next turn. After that turn, that player takes an extra turn.
I wonder if Hindering Light can be used to counter creature spells that target a player, or if the ability is separate from the creature. For example could Hindering Light counter a Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre that targets one of my permanents?
dragonstryke58 says... #2
My guess is no. Hindering Light cannot counter those creature spells because they are not targeting a player. It is their triggered abilities that are targeting a player.
When you cast Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre you don't declare targets for him. A triggered ability is place upon the stack above him (which is the thing that requires the target, not the spell) that destroys a target permanent. That triggered ability is separate from the spell.
June 20, 2016 8:52 p.m.
Raging_Squiggle says... Accepted answer #3
Some of the responses are a bit misleading.
First, triggered abilities trigger when their condition is met. Emrakul's ability triggers the moment it's been cast. Then the ability goes on top of the spell itself. It doesn't wait to resolve until the creature resolves. The ability resolves first, then the creature spell.
The ability is the one doing the targeting, not the creature spell. So Hindering Light will do nothing for you. Emrakul's not even a legal target.
However, it can be countered but through effects via Stifle or Voidslime and their ilk.
Postmortal_Pop says... #1
No, creature spells do not "target" a player as they are cast. The ability doesn't trigger until it resolves so even then you wouldn't be able to counter it
June 20, 2016 8:49 p.m.