What happens if my buyback spell is countered

Asked by paintballnsk 6 years ago

Hello,

What happens if I cast something like Capsize with buyback and it is counterspelled? Does the buyback still work even if the spell is countered, or does it just go right to the graveyard?

Some of the buybacks are worded differently, like Reiterate, but I assume they should all behave the same since it's flavor text.

Thanks!

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

Flavor text is the italicized text at the bottom of the card. Text in parentheses is reminder text, which helps to clarify how certain effects work.

Buyback's rules are:

702.26a Buyback appears on some instants and sorceries. It represents two static abilities that function while the spell is on the stack. "Buyback [cost]" means "You may pay an additional [cost] as you cast this spell" and "If the buyback cost was paid, put this spell into its owner's hand instead of into that player's graveyard as it resolves." Paying a spell's buyback cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2fh.

This makes it clear that you only put the card into your hand if the spell resolves; it's a replacement effect that modifies where the spell goes as it finishes resolving. If the spell is countered, none of its effects happen and it just goes to your yard.

August 18, 2017 1 p.m.