Do artifacts with activated abilities that turn them into creatures retain -1/-1 counters?
Asked by bjbancroft 12 years ago
For instance, if I turn Azorius Keyrune into a 2/2 bird and block a Blight Mamba with it, does it lose the -1/-1 counter at the end of the turn? In other words, if I use the activated ability on a later turn, will it be a 1/1 bird or a 2/2 bird?
Because it's a counter it stays on the permanent regardless of what state it was in or becomes. For instance, if you cast Phyrexian Metamorph copying Strangleroot Geist and it dies, causing undying to trigger, and you have Phyrexian Metamorph return as Sword of War and Peace , the Phyrexian Metamorph will still have a +1/+1 counter on it from undying even though it's an artifact now.
October 1, 2012 10:04 p.m.
I ran into the same type of question with Raging Ravine and if I remember correctly, any counters placed on a permanent that can be turned into a creature for a certain amount of time remain when the permanent reverts to its original state.
October 1, 2012 10:05 p.m.
121.1. A counter is a marker placed on an object or player that modifies its characteristics and/or interacts with a rule, ability, or effect. Counters are not objects and have no characteristics. Notably, a counter is not a token, and a token is not a counter. Counters with the same name or description are interchangeable.
121.2. Counters on an object are not retained if that object moves from one zone to another. The counters are not removed; they simply cease to exist. See rule 400.7.
Which means... Counters of any kind stay attached to an object until that object is moved to another zone or counters are removed/moved by other means. -1/-1 or +1/+1 counters simply doesn't take effect until object they are attached to isn't changed into creature type. Your Azorius Keyrune with one -1/-1 counter will become 1/1 creature if its ability is activated.
GoblinsInc says... #1
the counter remains. if you animate the artifact again, the counters will affect its power and toughness.
October 1, 2012 10:04 p.m.