Does Countering Prevent Cast Effects?

Asked by whizzkid5 8 years ago

I was playing against my opponent (me with control/awaken, them with Eldrazi), when my opponent cast Desolation Twin. I countered it with Scatter to the Winds, but he insisted that since it was still cast, Desolation Twin's effect triggers and he got a 10/10. We didn't know who was right, so will someone please tell me if countering prevents cast effects?

Boza says... #1

WEll, think about it this way - the only way for you to counter a spell is if it was cast.

So, opponent gets a 10/10 Eldrazi, but at least they are not 2.

March 12, 2016 7:29 a.m.

Gidgetimer says... #2

WotC is very deliberate about how they word things. Cast triggers happen when something is cast, ETB triggers happen when something enters the battlefield. Desolation Twin triggers as soon as they cast it, Dominator Drone does not trigger unless it resolves and enters the battlefield.

March 12, 2016 9:08 a.m.

nobu_the_bard says... Accepted answer #3

Desolation Twin has a triggered ability that goes onto the stack when it is cast. By the time you have priority and could potentially counter it, the trigger is already on the stack above the original spell - it no longer matters if the original spell is countered as far as the triggered ability is concerned, the trigger can still resolve and put a 10/10 token into play. It would need to be countered separately to be stopped, by something like Voidslime.

March 12, 2016 10:30 a.m.

This discussion has been closed