Is there a difference between a plus one ability and plus one counters?

Asked by Nuubi 5 years ago

For instance is there a difference in a buff ability like Merfolk Sovereign ’s where it seems more like a static ability, versus something like Academy Drake where it specifically says it gives counters? The reason I ask is because in the scenario there was a Herald of Secret Streams on the board,so if merfolk sovereigns ability applies toward herald of secret streams,the whole Board would have been unblockable.

ClockworkSwordfish says... Accepted answer #1

There is indeed a difference. Counters are used to denote something, regardless of anything other than what they're placed on - in this case, +1/+1. The static boost from Merfolk Sovereign doesn't put a counter on all other merfolk because you don't need a reminder that their size has been increased. They get +1/+1 so long as she's in play, so the board state makes it evident without needing counters.

Case in point: if your opponent kills your Merfolk Sovereign, all of your merfolk will shrink in size. But if you use Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca to put a +1/+1 counter on all of your merfolk and he's killed, they'll still have the counters, independent of the source. So while in the latter case, Herald of Secret Streams will make all of your merfolk unblockable, the same can't be said with Merfolk Sovereign.

April 20, 2019 6:49 p.m.