Counterspells

Counterspells are a class of spells or abilities found in many card games and fantasy settings that negate other spells. They are typically used to prevent an opponent from completing a plan that relies on a spell on the stack. In most systems, a counterspell targets a spell that has just been cast, and if it resolves, the targeted spell is countered and does not resolve.

Counterspells often require resources and must be played at the right moment, usually in response to the spell being cast. Some counterspells can target any spell on the stack, while others impose conditions or costs, such as paying extra mana or satisfying other prerequisites.

Counterspells vary in their scope and reliability. Unconditional counters cancel any spell, whereas conditional counters depend on game state or resource availability. Some spells explicitly cannot be countered, while others are designed to be countered only under certain circumstances.

In Magic: The Gathering, counterspells are a core component of blue control decks, enabling players to disrupt opponents' strategies and stabilize the game. The iconic card Counterspell embodies the basic concept: "Counter target spell."

Outside collectible card games, the concept appears in various fantasy settings and role-playing games as a mechanism to thwart enemy magic and control the flow of events.