Can avoid fate counter counterspells?

Vikeif · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 34

I'm wondering if it can do it, avoid fate does say

Counter target instant or Aura spell that targets a permanent you control.

I guess it just boils down to whether i control my permanent that's in the stack?

Noremac · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 97

No, it can't. They're spells on the stack, they aren't permanents til their own the board.

Hardtrack · Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 309

A permanent is something in play. A spell is a card (or copy) on the stack. A counterspell normally only targets a spell on the stack, so you can't Avoid Fate it.

Note that there could be situations where you can use Avoid Fate against a counterspell. Cryptic Command with modes set to 'counter target spell' and 'bounce target permanent' or Suffocating Blast for instance.

Mirage · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 88

If you target a permanent with the first part of Cryptic Command and the second is countering a spell, the targetted spell would still be countered, as it is still a legal target. But you can avoid fate the targetted permanent.

Y2Sky · Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 38

aldaryn · Joined: 02 Sep 2004 Posts: 450

Yeah, Avoid Fate counters Cryptic Command, the entire spell.

What you are thinking of is that when Cryptic Command has two targets, if one becomes illegal because it is gone upon resolution, as long as it still has one legal target it resolves. However Avoid Fate -counters- the spell Cryptic Command (in its entirety).

You play Giant Growth on your Grizzly Bear, and you also have a Mogg Fanatic.
I play my Cryptic Command with modes - Counter your Giant Growth, return your Mogg Fanatic to your hand.

If you play Avoid Fate on my Command, which you can because I targetted the Fanatic, then your Giant Growth will resolve because my entire spell was countered.

If you sac your Mogg Fanatic in response to my Command, Command still has a legal target (Giant Growth) so it resolves and Giant Growth is countered.