Can i counter a Bloodsoaked Champion from the Graveyard?
Asked by knoelg 10 years ago
When my opponent attacked and plays the Blood-soaked Champion with the Raid ability from the graveyard, am i able to counter that?
Actually, you can counter it - just not how you or Anneto / Tuk think.
Raid is an activated ability that - in Bloodsoaked Champions case, lets you return the creature to the battlefield. The card isn't cast, and there's no spell on the stack - just an ability - so you can't use something like Counterspell to counter it. However, you may use more uncommon cards like Stifle, Squelch, or Voidslime to counter the activated ability on the stack.
April 11, 2015 6:33 a.m.
BlueScope, I stand corrected. You are totally wright. Although I'd prefer an instant exile over these. Seems more playable unless you know what you're up against.
April 11, 2015 7:12 a.m.
Yeah, you'd be way safer exiling the Champion, especially because after you counter the ability, Bloodsoaked Champion stays in your graveyard, so the player can just pay another 
to try again, and you will eventually run out of cards :)
Nevertheless, it's perfectly possible to counter it, and in case of Squelch, for example, you'd actually get something out of it yourself even if the opponent tries to raid again.
April 11, 2015 7:24 a.m.
As an additional note, there are no timing restrictions on activating the ability of Bloodsoaked Champion (other than the Raid requirement), so most attempts to counter/Stifle the ability or exile the card from the graveyard can be responded to by activating the ability again (assuming they have the mana for it). As long as they get on top of the stack, it can be very costly to keep him from coming back.
Anneto says... #1
There are ways to prevent him from returning, or stop the raid from being used, but you aren't able to counter him using the raid as he is using an activated ability, not playing a spell.
April 11, 2015 4:46 a.m.