Render Silent
Asked by Wbg1415 3 years ago
Card states "Counter target spell. Its controller can't cast spells this turn."
Does this counter a creature summon from mana or just a spell that "targets" a spell like and instabt or sorcery?
TheVectornaut says... Accepted answer #2
When cast, creatures are spells too.
"302.1. A player who has priority may cast a creature card from their hand during a main phase of their turn when the stack is empty. Casting a creature as a spell uses the stack. (See rule 601, 'Casting Spells.')"
Therefore, an effect that counters any spell (such as Render Silent) can counter creature spells. There are some ways to get creatures onto the battlefield (or "summon" them if that's the terminology you prefer) without casting them. One way is to cheat them in from the hand using something like Through the Breach or Elvish Piper. Another is returning them from the graveyard with something like Hell's Caretaker or Reya Dawnbringer. All of these creature "summon" effects can't be countered by Render Silent, although the cards themselves can be. In practice, that means a Through the Breach could be countered by RS but if Reya Dawnbringer has already resolved, her triggered ability can't be. The important thing is that these cards don't use the word "cast" as that would imply the creature is being played as a spell. Something like Skaab Ruinator would still be counter-able since it is still being cast, even if not from the hand.
It's also worth noting that instants and sorceries don't have to target anything to get countered. A Vengeance and a Wrath of God are equal in the eyes of most counterspells. Only a more narrow counter like Confound cares about what the other spell targets.
December 26, 2020 10:47 p.m.
TheVectornaut says... #3
Upon re-reading the question, I think I see where the confusion is coming from. When Render Silent says "counter target spell" that means YOU are choosing the spell to target that RS will counter. It does not mean that you are choosing a spell that itself is targeting something. Most Magic cards are phrased in a similar way when they target something. Catapult Master exiles a creature YOU target, not a creature that is targeting something itself. Font of Ire deals damage to a player YOU target, not a player that's targeting something else. The wording is "target x". For the alternative, look for wording similar to "that targets x" like in Battlewise Hoplite's heroic ability, Reparations, or the aforementioned Confound. This will let you know the card cares what other things are targeting.
December 26, 2020 11:09 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #5
Wbg1415: Since it's clear you got a satisfactory answer to your question and there don't seem to be any follow-ups or corrections to be made, I chose one to mark as the "Accepted answer" so this topic can move out of the list of unanswered questions. In the future you can take care of this yourself using the green "Mark as Answer" button on the response that you feel best answers your question.
Chromium_Overseer says... #1
It does counter creature spells. The only spells it cannot counter are spells that say "this spell can't be countered" or something to that effect.
December 26, 2020 12:56 a.m.