2. Playing cards

Countering a spell

Stopping a spell before it happens

Some Reactions stop a spell outright. Play one on top of a spell, and when it resolves, the spell under it is cleared from the chain without doing anything. It goes to its owner's trash, and the cost they paid for it stays paid. That's how you counter a spell.

Your opponent plays Vengeance on your unit. You answer with Wind Wall, aimed at Vengeance. Wind Wall resolves first, and Vengeance goes to their trash. Your unit lives, and the runes they used for Vengeance are still exhausted or recycled.

What can be countered

Only what's on the chain. Units and gear leave it the moment they're played, so a card that counters a spell can't touch them. Some counters say "a spell or ability", and those can stop the abilities you'll meet later too.

Some counters have limits. Defy counters a spell that costs no more than and no more than one symbol. Vengeance costs , two symbols, so Defy can't stop it.

A counter is a spell like any other, so it can be countered too. If your opponent answers your Wind Wall with their own, theirs resolves first and counters yours, and Vengeance goes ahead.