It's very similar to Dispel in function, though this counters creatures with flash, too. Considering it's more restrictive than Dispel in every other regard, it's definitely not too strong. I'd consider adding a cantrip, but that doesn't solve it being a dead card if your opponent simply isn't playing combat tricks.
Personally, I would consider adding a mode to make a creature unblockable too. Both options are protective magic keeping a creature or creatures safe in battle.
However, as you have it written, I think it's definitely printable. Just irks me that it's a dead card in many scenarios.
Definitely a sideboard card, but I like it. People are always wary of niche cards being made, but I feel like there should be more of them.
Also, not that I want to be "that person", but I think you meant "veil", not "vail"
Vail means to lower or to take off one's hat.
Veil means to obscure as if with a veil (the garment).
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I'm not trying to start another color pie war, but I see the "only blue gets counterspells" idea as being a little outdated similar to the "nonblack" restriction on black creature kill. WotC has shown signs that counterspells occasionally can be moved into white. I think in even rarer occasions they can be moved into other colors too without marking the end of the world. I am saying all this because I have made this same mechanic too, except because of the restriction which makes it a reactive form of Hand to Hand I think it fits better first in red, maybe second in white.
CounterpunchR Instant (U)
Cast CARDNAME only during combat.
Counter target spell or activated ability.
By putting it in a different color from Dispel, it becomes a an entirely different card and the comparisons are a lot less direct.
I like both the blue version and the red version. I think the original version makes great sense considering the context I am aware of so far. Good job!
I'm in the camp in favor of a name change though unless I'm missing something.
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Planar Chaos was not a mistake neither was it random. You might want to look at it again.
[thread=239793][Game] Level Up - Creature[/thread]
You can also make it less situational and give it a "pseudo" kicker.
Like that:
Countervail4
Instant [U]
~ costs 4 less to cast during combat.
Counter target spell.
Either super ****ty counterspell, or you get your actual card.
Adds something to it, as i highly hate the totally ridiculous bad counterspells they print from time to time, which are just absolute unplayable in limited and constructed anyway.
The restriction is what makes 1 mana counters either totally broken, or just unplayable bad.
If a card is restricted by "when" you can cast it, i like the mechanics more that allow me to still cast the card, but get a bonus if i actual do what the design intends, makes it overall more playable.
So say it turns out the set has a ton of stuff in combat, means this 1 mana counter is allready usefull, but will hit "something" over the game, even for its super high cost.
I'm in the camp in favor of a name change though unless I'm missing something.
Countervail (verb): to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract. (Basically it's an antonym of "prevail.")
So, not misspelled.
For those who are [U]not[/U] following Call to Glory (which is most everybody, I expect,) it's the first set in my "Kamigawa 2" block, and the block theme is combat, or more specifically the combat phase. So, I expect that this card would have increased relevance in-block.
Quote from TheOnlyOne652089 »
Countervail 4U
Instant [U]
~ costs less to cast during combat.
Counter target spell.
Funny you should suggest that, since it's similar to one of the Call to Glory block mechanics I'm using.
Countervail, however, is intended to be a standalone, and outside of any cycle.
It's [U]not[/U] an editorial comment that nonblue colors SHOULDN'T get countermagic. I'm perfectly happy if they do. But since every color is the combat color in this block, I'm gonna keep most (or all) countermagic blue... in this block.
Liberator, those cards are completely different from the proposed 5-mana counter. You would never play Fall of the Gavel if your intent was to protect your combat phase. The point was to make the 1-mana card more relevant outside of the combat phase while still fulfilling its intended role.
Basically what I'm saying is that they perform two distinct functions, and that Fall of the Gavel in no way obsoletes the 5-mana/1-mana counter version. You'd use one for one purpose, and another for another purpose.
I'm not saying that those cards are generally better. I'm saying that the suggested card has to be sideboraded in and out. And that makes it a wonder. But you will rarely play it. Unless the combat math is really complicated, or the format is degenerate. But in formats like Limited and most of the constructed formats, this thing is just a five mana counterspell.
Thats the point of it.
Its either a super bad counterspell or you get the combat trick counterspell, which at 1 mana is very cheap.
In no way it trys to be a actual "counterspell" with a huge upside to be cheaper in combat aswell.
Sure it could be highly reduced and changed in cost to make an upgraded Cancel.
Countervail :symu::symu::symu:
Instant [U]
~ costs :symu::symu: less to cast during combat.
Counter target spell.
Something like that.
But i like it a lot less, as this card is just worse in Limited unless you really play massiv blue.
The use of colorless, especially hard counter for just a singel blue, gives some splashability.
A combat mechanic for cost reduction like this, clearly means the set would have a fair deal of stuff going on during combat, which means this can easily become "premium" removal for blue which simply hits anything in combat and still works if the opponent plays his expensive bomb.
It could easily be among the best blue cards in a thought of format like that, even so in constructed if your mechanics evolve around the combat phase.
For combo decks at instant speed, it could also mean that you "go-of" in your combat phase, just to get the cheap counterspell, which kind of acts like Dispel ; anything is possible, the option for a 5 mana counterspell clearly is not the reason you play it, but its an option that exists, like you can hard cast Force of Will for 5 mana aswell, and that actual happens from time to time.
I think the original works fine in the context of the set. Since everything revolves around combat tricks, it works great. I could see it being printed as is. At most, maybe give it cycling (if that keyword is in the set).
At most, maybe give it cycling (if that keyword is in the set).
No cycling in this set, but it's not a bad suggestion.
I'm fine with this basically filling the role of sideboard tech. My job is now pretty clear - create a bunch of cards that would make you want to sideboard in this card.
I think maybe that's why I put it in so early in the set design. Motivation!
Instant [U]
Cast Countervail only during combat.
Counter target spell.
Personally, I would consider adding a mode to make a creature unblockable too. Both options are protective magic keeping a creature or creatures safe in battle.
However, as you have it written, I think it's definitely printable. Just irks me that it's a dead card in many scenarios.
Karador EDH
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Also, not that I want to be "that person", but I think you meant "veil", not "vail"
Vail means to lower or to take off one's hat.
Veil means to obscure as if with a veil (the garment).
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Counterpunch R
Instant (U)
Cast CARDNAME only during combat.
Counter target spell or activated ability.
By putting it in a different color from Dispel, it becomes a an entirely different card and the comparisons are a lot less direct.
I'm in the camp in favor of a name change though unless I'm missing something.
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Like that:
Countervail 4
Instant [U]
~ costs 4 less to cast during combat.
Counter target spell.
Either super ****ty counterspell, or you get your actual card.
Adds something to it, as i highly hate the totally ridiculous bad counterspells they print from time to time, which are just absolute unplayable in limited and constructed anyway.
The restriction is what makes 1 mana counters either totally broken, or just unplayable bad.
If a card is restricted by "when" you can cast it, i like the mechanics more that allow me to still cast the card, but get a bonus if i actual do what the design intends, makes it overall more playable.
So say it turns out the set has a ton of stuff in combat, means this 1 mana counter is allready usefull, but will hit "something" over the game, even for its super high cost.
WUBRG#BlackLotusMatterWUBRG
👮👮👮 #BlueLivesMatter 👮👮👮
Countervail (verb): to act or avail against with equal power, force, or effect; counteract. (Basically it's an antonym of "prevail.")
So, not misspelled.
For those who are [U]not[/U] following Call to Glory (which is most everybody, I expect,) it's the first set in my "Kamigawa 2" block, and the block theme is combat, or more specifically the combat phase. So, I expect that this card would have increased relevance in-block.
Funny you should suggest that, since it's similar to one of the Call to Glory block mechanics I'm using.
Countervail, however, is intended to be a standalone, and outside of any cycle.
It's [U]not[/U] an editorial comment that nonblue colors SHOULDN'T get countermagic. I'm perfectly happy if they do. But since every color is the combat color in this block, I'm gonna keep most (or all) countermagic blue... in this block.
Basically what I'm saying is that they perform two distinct functions, and that Fall of the Gavel in no way obsoletes the 5-mana/1-mana counter version. You'd use one for one purpose, and another for another purpose.
Karador EDH
Comments on decks welcome: http://tappedout.net/users/AradonTemplar/
Currently developing Set 1 of 3, 'Shadow': http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=436885
Thats the point of it.
Its either a super bad counterspell or you get the combat trick counterspell, which at 1 mana is very cheap.
In no way it trys to be a actual "counterspell" with a huge upside to be cheaper in combat aswell.
Sure it could be highly reduced and changed in cost to make an upgraded Cancel.
Countervail :symu::symu::symu:
Instant [U]
~ costs :symu::symu: less to cast during combat.
Counter target spell.
Something like that.
But i like it a lot less, as this card is just worse in Limited unless you really play massiv blue.
The use of colorless, especially hard counter for just a singel blue, gives some splashability.
A combat mechanic for cost reduction like this, clearly means the set would have a fair deal of stuff going on during combat, which means this can easily become "premium" removal for blue which simply hits anything in combat and still works if the opponent plays his expensive bomb.
It could easily be among the best blue cards in a thought of format like that, even so in constructed if your mechanics evolve around the combat phase.
For combo decks at instant speed, it could also mean that you "go-of" in your combat phase, just to get the cheap counterspell, which kind of acts like Dispel ; anything is possible, the option for a 5 mana counterspell clearly is not the reason you play it, but its an option that exists, like you can hard cast Force of Will for 5 mana aswell, and that actual happens from time to time.
WUBRG#BlackLotusMatterWUBRG
👮👮👮 #BlueLivesMatter 👮👮👮
No cycling in this set, but it's not a bad suggestion.
I'm fine with this basically filling the role of sideboard tech. My job is now pretty clear - create a bunch of cards that would make you want to sideboard in this card.
I think maybe that's why I put it in so early in the set design. Motivation!