counterflux
Standard forum
Posted on Sept. 19, 2013, 3:16 p.m. by Khanye
I dont understand the overload ability...How would you counter 2 spells being played? Doesn't each spell resolve on its own, and thus has its own response. Can you play Counterflux for its regular mana cost, then overload it?
I just don't see any situation where you are able to counter more than one target spell without the first resolving...
so you are allowed to let multiple spells cast before they resolve to overload it? I would think a good player would not over reach with multiple spells and let one resolve just in case of a counter...
I am still not seeing the use or mechanics of an oveloaded Counterflux except maybe the Wild Ricochet example above.
bleh...head hurts now from over thinking
September 19, 2013 3:28 p.m.
There is an old mechanic named Storm (here's an example card: Brain Freeze ) that it works well with, but no, there are relatively few situations where overloading Counterflux is useful. It is still an uncounterable Cancel for a slightly more restrictive cost, though.
September 19, 2013 3:35 p.m.
In the Standard environment I can't think of a true use for Counterflux overloaded, however in modern I know for a fact that it kills all the stormed copies of a Grapeshot
September 19, 2013 3:36 p.m.
It even sees some occasional Legacy sideboard play, both for Storm and for Cascade cards. Its use in Standard is almost exclusively limited to an uncounterable counterspell, though.
September 19, 2013 3:39 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #7
To answer your other question, you can't cast Counterflux regularly, then overload it later. You must cast it for its overload cost if you want to overload it.
September 19, 2013 3:44 p.m.
Double Negative's Gatherer Discussion
I'm linking this to draw attention to the top comment on its discussion page as it is relevant in its similar functionality to Counterflux .
There is real use to a counter that can take out multiple spells. At some points its occasionally really important that you are able to get past their check and advance the board in your favor by neutralizing their development and their response to your removal, et cetera, all at once.
September 19, 2013 3:46 p.m.
notamardybum says... #9
someone can tap 4 mana to play 2 snapcaster mage at the same time. then you can overload. You wont be paying the overload cost very much but its hilarious when someone plays multiple spells at the same time and catch them off guard.
my friend plays counterflux in his grixis control deck, so i know to play one spell at a time.
September 19, 2013 4:09 p.m.
MindAblaze says... #10
I could see it being relevant against Cascade too. Stops Living End from messing up your day.
September 19, 2013 4:25 p.m.
The two snaps would resolve one after the other right? Also, can you just overload it and put resolving on the stack? Thus waiting for other spells to happen?
September 19, 2013 4:35 p.m.
Let's say it's a control mirror. You're playing Izzet versus Esper.
Esper:Play Jace, Arcitect of Thought. It resolves and he uses his -2 which brings Jace down to 2 loyalty. Pass turn.
Izzet:You play a land and pass turn.
Esper:Attempt to resolve Aetherling. In response to Aetherling, you cast Shock on Jace, which would deal 2 damage and kill him. In response to Shock, your opponent casts Dissolve to try and counter your Shock. In response to Dissolve, you overload Counterflux. Counterflux counters all of your opponent's spells on the stack. So it counters the Aetherling, who was minding his own business and the Dissolve. Since Shock wasn't countered it goes through and kills Jace
You just 2 for 3'd your opponent. Good job!
raithe000 says... #2
Say your opponent casts Shock targeting you. You cast Negate targeting the Shock in response. Your opponent then casts Negate targeting your Negate. If you overload Counterflux, it will counter both your opponent's Shock and Negate.
In theory, an opponent can cast multiple instants without you doing anything in response to them before any of them resolve. Counterflux could then be used to counter all of them. In practice, no one does this.
Counterflux also stops things that copy spells. For example, an overloaded Counterflux would stop both the original spell and a copy created by Wild Ricochet , which would both be on the stack at the same time.
September 19, 2013 3:23 p.m.