Dovescape + "can't be countered" work?
Asked by ducttapedeckbox 12 years ago
I just want to clarify this before I build a deck around something that might not work... If I have Dovescape out and play, let's say Loxodon Smiter , is Loxodon Smiter countered?
nightscape says... #2
If the spell is not countered by Dovescape , the player still gets the birds. This is because Dovescape isn't checking if the spell is countered with an "if" clause. The ability will therefore play out as completely as it can, which includes the bird tokens.
December 24, 2012 1:06 p.m.
dead_reckoning says... #3
Dovescape - "Whenever a player plays a non-creature spell counter that spell. Abrupt Decay - "Abrupt Decay can't be countered by spells or abilities." Dovescape is a spell. Abrupt Decay would not be countered.
December 24, 2012 1:07 p.m.
nightscape says... #4
I think I took the answer in the wrong direction. Dovescape 's counter is a triggered ability, which Abrupt Decay can't be countered by because it says it cannot be countered by abilities.
December 24, 2012 1:10 p.m.
rckclimber777 says... Accepted answer #5
The answers above are correct. Abrupt Decay is a legitimate target for Dovescape 's triggered ability, but since it Abrupt Decay cannot be countered, Dovescape 's first ability fizzles. The second part will still give you the birds however.
Therefore if you were to use something like card:Judge's Familiar to try and counter one of these in a tournament, it would have been a legal move, yet would not have resulted in the countering of the Abrupt Decay . This is important because illegal moves are rewound to the state before the action took place. Same would be true if you were to try and Mana Leak something that is uncounterable or destroy something that is indestructible. Just wasted effort.
December 24, 2012 1:15 p.m.
@dead_reckoning: Dovescape is only a spell while it is being cast and on the stack. Once it resolves and hits the battlefield, it becomes a permanent. Spells only exist on the stack and nowhere else.
Dovescape 's counter-clause is an ability. If a card randomly said "Can't be countered by abilities," then Dovescape couldn't stop it. But if a card randomly said "Can't be countered by spells," then it would be countered.
ducttapedeckbox says... #1
Bad example. forgot it was "noncreature." Replace Loxodon Smiter with Abrupt Decay .
December 24, 2012 1:02 p.m.