Can't be Countered vs. Can't be Countered

[PopeHilarius]

Volcanic Fallout says it "can't be countered."
Wreak Havoc says it "can't be countered by spells or abilities."

Now, the flat out can't be countered seems understandable enough, but what can counter Wreak Havoc, if not spells or abilities? A flipped Erayo has a trigger that counters things, but isn't that a triggered ability, and thus won't affect Wreak Havoc?

[triangleman]

The game rules spells with targets have the rider "by spells or abilities" to allow the game rules to still counter them if their targets are all illegal.

http://mtgsalvation.com/253-cranial-...re-guilds.html

Q: Why does it say "Wreak Havoc can't be countered by spells or abilities" instead of just "Wreak Havoc can't be countered"?

A: Because Wreak Havoc can be countered! Shocking! "But the card says it can't!"

But what happens if you try to wreak my Sensei's Divining Top and I put it on top of my library in response? The Wreak Havoc "fizzles" - that is, it's countered upon resolution for lack of a legal target. That's still countering as far as the game is concerned, but that's being countered by game rules, not by a spell or ability.

[MajoraX]

The difference between Fallout and Havoc is that Havoc has a target. If that target is illegal on resolution, the game rules () counter Havoc.

[PopeHilarius]

Ahh, that makes sense! Thanks, that had been puzzling me. So is that why Root Sliver has "can't be countered", but gives "Sliver spells can't be countered by spells or abilities". Otherwise Nameless Inversion could explode the game, right?

[heroicraptor]

Correct, along with all the other targeted changling spells.