Counter (marker)/Full List

Counter

 

Full List

 

The following is an alphabetical list of counters used in all core sets and expansions and the cards that produce them:

• Aether Snap was the first card to remove all counters on all permanents.
• Gilder Bairn was the first card to double the number of counters on any permanent.
• Hex Parasite was the first card that can remove fewer than all counters of any type from a permanent.
• Vampire Hexmage was the first permanent card that can remove all counters from a permanent.

±N/±M counter

These counters modify the power and toughness of a creature. Only the +1/+1 and the -1/-1 counter are still in use and can annihilate each other.

+1/+1 counter

+1/+1 counters are the most common counter type in Magic. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.

-1/-1 counter

-1/-1 counters are the inverse of +1/+1 counter. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.

Deprecated ±N/±M counter

The rest of these power and toughness counters are deprecated and no longer printed on modern cards.

+0/+1 counter

Uneven plus

• Coral Reef from Homelands is the first enchantment to produce +0/+1 counters. It also uses polyp counters.
• Dwarven Armorer from Fallen Empires was the first creature to produce a +0/+1 or a +1/+0 counter.
• Originally, Living Armor from The Dark put a +0/+X counter on a creature. It was given errata to place X +0/+1 counters on instead.
• Necropolis from The Dark received X +0/+1 counters where X is the converted mana cost of a creature exiled from its controller's graveyard.
• Sacred Boon from Ice Age was the first instant to create +0/+1 counters.
• Scars of the Veteran from Alliances is like Sacred Boon from Ice Age except Scars of the Veteran can put up to seven +0/+1 counters on a creature for each point of damage prevented.
• Wall of Resistance from Mirage

+0/+2 counter

• Frankenstein's Monster from The Dark is the first and only creature to come into play with +2/+0, +1/+1 and/or +0/+2 counters.

+1/+0 counter

• Balduvian Hydra from Ice Age is the first Hydra to use +1/+0 counters. Most Hydras since use +1/+1 counters.
• Clockwork Avian from Antiquities used +1/+0 counters, like Clockwork Beast.
• Clockwork Beast from Alpha was the first card to use +1/+0 counters.
• Clockwork Steed and Clockwork Swarm from Homelands like Clockwork Avian and Clockwork Beast before them, also use +1/+0 counters.
• Consuming Ferocity from Mirage is the first enchantment - aura to produce +1/+0 counters.
• Dwarven Armorer from Fallen Empires is the first creature to produce a +0/+1 or a +1/+0 counter.
• Ebon Praetor from Fallen Empires is the first creature that could receive a -2/-2 counter for not doing something. If you did do it, instead it received a +1/+0 counter.
• Lightning Serpent from Coldsnap.

+1/+0 counters are not expected to be used anymore.

+1/+2 counter

• Armor Thrull from Fallen Empires is the first creature to produce a +1/+2 counter when sacrificed.

+2/+0 counter

• Frankenstein's Monster from The Dark is the first and only creature to come into play with +2/+0, +1/+1, and/or +0/+2 counters.

+2/+2 counter

• Baron Sengir from Homelands is the first creature to produce +2/+2 counters.
• There are 4 chimeras from Visions that can be sacrificed to produce +2/+2 counters on a target chimera; Brass-Talon Chimera, Iron-heart Chimera,Lead-Belly Chimera and Tin-Wing Chimera.
• Dwarven Armory from Ice Age is the first enchantment to produce +2/+2 counters.
• Fungus Elemental from Weatherlight is the first creature to produce +2/+2 counters only on the turn it comes into play.
• Soul Exchange from Fallen Empires is the first sorcery to produce +2/+2 counters.

-0/-1 counter

Uneven minus

• Essence Flare from Ice Age
• Kjeldoran Home Guard from Alliances
• Lesser Werewolf from Legends is the first creature to produce -0/-1 counters.
• Takklemaggot from Legends is the first enchantment - aura to produce -0/-1 counters.
• Shield Sphere from Alliances is the first artifact to produce -0/-1 counters.
• Wall of Roots from Mirage

-0/-2 counter

• Greater Werewolf from Homelands is the first creature to produce -0/-2 counters.
• Spirit Shackle from Legends is the first enchantment aura to use -0/-2 counters.

-1/-0 counter

• Jabari's Influence from Mirage is the first instant to produce -1/-0 counters.

-2/-1 counter

• Contagion from Alliances is the first instant to produce -2/-1 counters.

-2/-2 counter

• Ebon Praetor from Fallen Empires is the first creature that could receive a -2/-2 counter for not doing something. If you did do it instead it received a +1/+0 counter.

Acorn counter

The silver-bordered Acornelia, Fashionable Filcher from Unsanctioned was the first card to feature Acorn counters. They have their own symbol , and may be used as a resource. They are placed on players rather than on objects. Because of this, they are similar to energy counters.

Aegis counter

• Livio, Oathsworn Sentinel is the first creature to produce aegis counters.

Age counter

Age counters are exclusively used by cards with cumulative upkeep.

Aim counter

• Hankyu from Champions of Kamigawa is the first artifact equipment to use aim counters.
• Haphazard Bombardment from Dominaria is the first enchantment to use aim counters.

Arrow counter

Arrow

• Archery Training from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment - aura to use arrow counters.

Arrowhead counter

• Serrated Arrows from Homelands is the first artifact to use arrowhead counters. It also produces -1/-1 counters.

Awakening counter

• Liege of the Tangle from Scars of Mirrodin is the first creature to produce awakening counters.

Blaze counter

• Five-Alarm Fire from Gatecrash is the first enchantment to produce blaze counters.
• Obsidian Fireheart from Zendikar is the first creature to produce blaze counters.

Blood counter

• Bloodletter Quill from Ravnica: City of Guilds is the first artifact to use blood counters.
• Font of Agonies from Ravnica Allegiance is the first enchantment to use blood counters.
• Rakdos Riteknife from Dissension is the first equipment to use blood counters.
• Rayami, First of the Fallen from Commander 2019 is the first creature to use blood counters.

Book counter

• Spell Satchel from Strixhaven: School of Mages is the first artifact to use book counters.

Bounty counter

• Bounty Hunter from Tempest is the first creature to produce bounty counters.
• Chevill, Bane of Monsters from Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths.
• Mathas, Fiend Seeker from Commander 2017.

Bribery counter

• Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer from Conflux is the first creature to produce bribery counters.

Brick counter

Brick

• Brick counters were introduced in Amonkhet on artifacts (monuments) that had two activations: one that has an effect and puts a brick counter on the artifact, and a second with a stronger version of the effect but only usable if you had three or more brick counters. This cycle was representing the constant monument-building that went on in ancient Egypt.
• Brick counters were represented on punch cards in the Amonkhet block.

Cage counter

• Mairsil, the Pretender from Commander 2017 is the first creature to produce cage counters.

Carrion counter

• Originally, Osai Vultures from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use Carrion counters. It is the first creature to use carrion counters.

Charge counter

Charge counters belong to the most common counter types in Magic. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.

Coin counter

• Athreos, Shroud-Veiled from Theros: Beyond Death is the first to use coin counters, thematically representing the Ancient Greek practice of placing coins in with the deceased for payment to be carried to the afterlife.

CRANK! counter

The CRANK! counter is exclusively connected to Contraption cards from Unstable.

Credit counter

• Icatian Moneychanger from Fallen Empires was the first creature to use credit counters.

Corpse counter

Skeleton

• Isareth the Awakener from Core Set 2019.
• Originally, Scavenging Ghoul from Alpha just used counters. It was given errata to call them corpse counters. It is the first creature to use corpse counters.

Crystal counter

• Prism Array from Battle for Zendikar was the first enchantment to use crystal counters.

Cube counter

• Delif's Cube from Fallen Empires is the first artifact to use cube counters.

Currency counter

• Trade Caravan from Homelands is the first creature to use currency counters.

Death counter

• Bogardan Phoenix from Visions is the first creature to use death counters.

Delay counter

• Delaying Shield from Odyssey is the first enchantment to use delay counters.
• Ertai's Meddling from Tempest is the first instant to use delay counters.

Depletion counter

Depletion counters are almost exclusively used for depletion lands.

Despair counter

• Descent into Madness from Avacyn Restored is the first enchantment to use despair counters.

Devotion counter

Devotion

• Bloodthirsty Ogre and Pious Kitsune from Champions of Kamigawa are the first creatures to use devotion counters.

Divinity counter

Divinity counters are used to make permanents indestructible.

Doom counter

Doom

• Originally, Armageddon Clock from Antiquities just used counters. It was given errata to call them doom counters.
• Eye of Doom from Commander 2013
• Imminent Doom from Hour of Devastation is the first enchantment to use doom counters.
• Lavabrink Floodgates from Commander 2020

Dream counter

• Originally, Rasputin Dreamweaver from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use dream counters.

Echo counter

Echo

• Soul Echo from Mirage is the first enchantment to use echo counters.

Egg counter

• Darigaaz Reincarnated from Dominaria is the first creature to use egg counters.

Elixir counter

• Essence Bottle from Tempest is the first artifact to use elixir counters.

Energy counter

Vortex

• Energy Vortex from Mirage was the first enchantment to use energy counters. It was then changed to use vortex counters instead, as energy counters were introduced in Kaladesh, Energy Vortex received an errata to use Vortex Counters instead.

As of Kaladesh, players can receive Energy Counters. Energy Counters are placed on players and can be generated in multiple different ways, being spent to activate the abilities or effects of certain cards (analogous to a seventh mana type).

Eon counter

• Magosi, the Waterveil from Zendikar is the first land to use eon counters.

Experience counter

Experience counter are placed on players, and are generated by the cycle of commanders from Commander 2015.

Eyeball counter

• Jar of Eyeballs from Dark Ascension is the first artifact to use eyeball counters.

Eyestalk counter

• The test card Underdark Beholder from the Mystery Booster set is the first creature to use eyestalk counters.

Fade counter

Fade counters are exclusively used by the Fading mechanic.

Fate counter

• Oblivion Stone from Mirrodin is the first artifact to use fate counters.
• Triad of Fates from Theros is the first creature to use fate counters.

Feather counter

• Aven Mimeomancer from Alara Reborn
• Kangee, Aerie Keeper from Invasion is the first creature to use feather counters.
• Soulcatchers' Aerie from Judgment is the first enchantment to use feather counters.

Fetch counter

• Pako, Arcane Retriever from Commander 2020 is the first creature to use fetch counters.

Filibuster counter

• Azor's Elocutors from Return to Ravnica is the first creature to use Filibuster counters.

Flame counter

Flame

Flame counters are only used by Naar Isle, tracking the rising amount of damage per upkeep.

Flood counter

Flood

• Aquitect's Will from Lorwyn is the first sorcery to produce flood counters.
• Bounty of the Luxa from Amonkhet is the first enchantment to use flood counters.
• Quicksilver Fountain from Mirrodin is the first artifact to use flood counters.

Foreshadow counter

• Ominous Seas from Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths is the first enchantment to use foreshadow counters.

Fungus counter

Fungus

• Mindbender Spores from Mirage is the first creature to produce fungus counters.
• Sporogenesis from Urza's Saga is the first enchantment to produce fungus counters.

Fuse counter

• Bomb Squad from Odyssey is the first creature to produce fuse counters.
• Goblin Bomb from Weatherlight is the first enchantment non-aura to use fuse counters.
• Incendiary from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to use fuse counters.
• Powder Keg from Urza's Destiny is the first artifact to produce fuse counters.

Gem counter

• Briber's Purse from Khans of Tarkir is the first artifact to use gem counters.

Ghostform counter

• Kaya the Inexorable from Kaldheim is the first planeswalker to use ghostform counters.

Glyph counter

• Originally, Glyph of Delusion from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use glyph counters.

Gold counter

Gold

• Aurification from Onslaught is the first enchantment to produce gold counters.
• Dragon’s Hoard from Core Set 2019 is the first artifact to produce gold counters.

Growth counter

• Malignant Growth from Mirage is the first enchantment non-aura to use growth counters.
• Momentum from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to produce growth counters.
• Paradox Zone from Commander 2021.
• Simic Ascendancy from Ravnica Allegiance is the first multicolor enchantment to use growth counters.

Hatchling counter

• Ludevic's Test Subject from Innistrad is the first creature to use hatchling counters.
• The unnamed counters for Triassic Egg from Legends, were changed to hatchling counters for Masters Edition IV.

Healing counter

• Fylgja from Ice Age is the first enchantment aura to use healing counters.
• Ursine Fylgja from Coldsnap is the first creature to use healing counters.

Hit counter

• Etrata, the Silencer from Guilds of Ravnica is the first creature to use hit counters.

Hone counter

• Uvilda, Dean of Perfection from Strixhaven: School of Mages is the first creature to use hone counters.

Hoofprint counter

Paw

• Hoofprints of the Stag from Lorwyn is the first enchantment to use hoofprint counters.

Hour counter

• Midnight Clock from Throne of Eldraine is the first artifact to create hour counters.
• Midnight Oil from Kaladesh is the first enchantment to use hour counters.

Hourglass counter

• Temporal Distortion from Invasion is the first enchantment to use hourglass counters.

Hunger counter

• Originally, Fasting from The Dark used counters. It was given errata to use hunger counters. It is the first enchantment to use hunger counters.

Ice counter

• Dark Depths from Coldsnap is the first land to use ice counters.
• Draugr Necromancer from Kaldheim
• Iceberg from Ice Age is the first enchantment to use ice counters.
• Rimefeather Owl from Coldsnap is the first creature to put ice counters on any permanent.
• Rimescale Dragon from Coldsnap
• Woolly Razorback from Coldsnap
• Thing in the Ice from Shadows over Innistrad

Incarnation counter

• Nine Lives from Magic 2021 is the first enchantment to use incarnation counters.

Incubation counter

• Originally, Triassic Egg from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use incubation counters. It is the first artifact to use incubation counters. It was later given errata to use hatchling counters.

Currently, there is no card that uses incubation counters.

Infection counter

• Diseased Vermin from Alliances is the first creature to use infection counters.
• Festering Wound from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to use infection counters.

Intervention counter

• Originally, Divine Intervention from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use intervention counters. It is the first enchantment to use intervention counters.

Isolation counter

• Quarantine Field from Battle for Zendikar is the first enchantment to use isolation counters.

Javelin counter

• Icatian Javelineers from Fallen Empires is the first creature to use javelin counters.

Keyword counter

The first ability to give keyword counters was printed first introduced in the Mystery Booster set on the test card Recycla-bird. Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths was the first standard legal set to use the mechanic.

The evergreen keyword abilities deathtouch, double strike, first strike, flying, hexproof, indestructible, lifelink, menace, reach, trample, and vigilance each have their own counter. Permanents with a keyword counter on them, typically creatures, gain that counter's respective ability.

Ki counter

Ki counters are created by certain permanents, whenever you cast a spirit or arcane spell.

Knowledge counter

The Magic Mirror from Throne of Eldraine is the first artifact to create knowledge counters.

Landmark Counter

Treasure Map from Ixalan is the first artifact to produce landmark counters.

Level counter

Level counters are exclusively used by the Level up mechanic.

Lore counter

Lore

• Mind Unbound from Magic 2012 is the first enchantment to produce lore counters.
• Scroll of the Masters from Fate Reforged is the first artifact to produce lore counters.
• Myth Realized from Dragons of Tarkir
• All Sagas use lore counters.
• Keldon Warcaller from Dominaria is the first creature to use lore counters.

Loyalty counter

Planeswalkers, first introduced in Lorwyn, use loyalty counters as a substitute for life and for paying the costs of their abilities.

Luck counter

• As Luck Would Have It from Unstable.
• Chance Encounter from Odyssey is the first enchantment to use luck counters.
• Gemstone Caverns from Time Spiral is the first land to use luck counters.

Magnet counter

• Magnetic Web from Tempest is the first artifact to use magnet counters.

Manabond counter

• The test card Wrath of Sod from the Mystery Booster set is the first spell to use manabond counters. Cards with a manabond counter lose all other abilities, and become lands with ": Add one mana of this card's color."

Manifestation counter

• Arbiter of the Ideal from Born of the Gods is the first creature to use manifestation counters.

Mannequin counter

• Makeshift Mannequin from Lorwyn is the first instant to use mannequin counters.

Mask counter

• Originally, Illusionary Mask from Alpha didn’t use any counters. It was given errata to use mask counters to mark the face-down creature. Another errata removed the mention of said counters later so that Illusionary Mask doesn't use counters at all.

Currently, there is no card that makes use of or references mask counters.

Matrix counter

• Originally, Life Matrix from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use matrix counters.

Mine counter

• Mine Layer from Odyssey is the first creature to use mine counters.

Mining counter

• Gemstone Mine from Weatherlight is the first land to use mining counters.

Mire counter

• Originally, Cyclopean Tomb from Alpha used tokens to mark lands it turned into swamps. It was given errata to use mire counters to keep track.

Music counter

• Musician from Ice Age is the first creature to use music counters. It also uses age counters.

Muster counter

Muster

• Assemble the Legion from Gatecrash is the first enchantment to use muster counters.

Net counter

• Merseine from Fallen Empires is the first enchantment to use net counters.

Night counter

• Replicating Ring from Kaldheim is the first artifact to use night counters.

Omen counter

• Celestial Convergence from Prophecy is the first enchantment non-aura to produce omen counters. Celestial Convergence is an alternate-win card.

Ore counter

• Orcish Mine from Homelands is the first enchantment aura to use ore counters.

Page counter

• Barrin's Codex from Urza's Saga is the first artifact to use page counters.
• Private Research from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to produce page counters.
• Tome of Legends from Throne of Eldraine
• Mazemind Tome from Core Set 2021

Pain counter

• Torture Chamber from Tempest is the first artifact to use pain counters.

Paralyzation counter

• Dread Wight from Ice Age is the first creature to use paralyzation counters.

Petal counter

• Lotus Blossom from Urza's Saga is the first artifact to produce petal counters.

Petrification counter

• Xathrid Gorgon from Magic 2013 is the first creature to produce petrification counters.

Phylactery counter

• Phylactery Lich from Magic 2010 is the first creature to produce phylactery counters.

Pin counter

Pin

• Originally, Voodoo Doll from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use pin counters. It is the first artifact to use pin counters.

Plague counter

• Plague Boiler from Ravnica: City of Guilds is the first artifact that produces plague counters. It produces plague counters automatically at the beginning of your upkeep.
• Traveling Plague from Odyssey is the first enchantment to use plague counters. It produces plague counters automatically at the beginning of your upkeep.
• Withering Hex from Onslaught produces plague counters whenever a player cycles a card.

Point counter

• Strixhaven Stadium from Strixhaven: School of Mages is the first artifact that produces point counters. It does so by tapping it for mana or when a creature you control deals damage to an opponent.

Poison counter

A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.

Polyp counter

• Coral Reef from Homelands is the first enchantment to use polyp counters. It also produces +0/+1 counters.

Pressure counter

• Hellion Crucible from Magic 2013 is the first land to use pressure counters.
• Magma Mine from Visions is the first artifact to use pressure counters.

Prey counter

• Tetzimoc, Primal Death from Rivals of Ixalan is the first creature to use prey counters.

Pupa counter

• Originally, Cocoon from Legends used change counters. It was given errata to use pupa counters. Pupa by definition is the life stage of some insects undergoing a transformation.

Quest counter

Quest counters are used for the Quests printed in Zendikar and Worldwake

Rust counter

• Corrosion from Visions is the first enchantment to use rust counters. It also uses age counters because it has cumulative upkeep.

Scream counter

Scream

• Originally, All Hallow's Eve from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use scream counters. It is the first sorcery to use scream counters. The card's ability is very much like Suspend.
• Endless Scream from Tempest is the first Aura enchantment to use scream counters.

Scroll counter

• Aretopolis, a Plane card from Planechase 2012 is the first card to use scroll counters.

Shell counter

• Roc Hatchling from Weatherlight is the first creature to use shell counters.

Shield counter

• Palliation Accord from Dissension is the first enchantment to use shield counters.

Silver counter

• Karn, Scion of Urza from Dominaria is the first planeswalker to use silver counters.

Shred counter

• Cephalid Vandal from Torment is the first creature to use shred counters.

Sleep counter

• Originally, Venarian Gold from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use sleep counters.

Sleight counter

• Chromatic Armor from Ice Age is the first enchantment aura to use sleight counters.

Slime counter

Slime

• Gutter Grime from Innistrad is the first enchantment to produce slime counters.

Slumber counter

• Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle from Commander 2018 is the first creature to produce slumber counters.

Soot counter

• Smokestack from Urza's Saga is the first artifact to produce soot counters.

Soul counter

• Malefic Scythe from Core Set 2021 is the first artifact to produce soul counters.
• Netherborn Altar from Commander 2020 uses soul counters.

Spark counter

• Blood Poet, a test card from the Mystery Booster set, is the first card to feature the use of Spark counters. They may be used to activate spark abilities.

Spite Counter

• Curse of Vengeance from Commander 2016 is the first enchantment to use spite counters.

Spore counter

Spore counter are used as extra resource to create Saprolings.

Storage counter

Storage counters are exclusively used by storage lands.

Strife counter

• Crescendo of War from Commander is the first enchantment to use strife counters.

Study counter

• Grimoire of the Dead from Innistrad is the first artifact to use study counters.
• Imbraham, Dean of Theory//Kianne, Dean of Substance from Strixhaven: School of Mages are the first creatures to use study counters.
• Pursuit of Knowledge from Stronghold is the first enchantment to use study counters.

Task counter

• Heliod's Punishment from Theros Beyond Death is the first enchantment to use task counters.

Theft counter

• Night Dealings from Champions of Kamigawa is the first enchantment to use theft counters.

Tide counter

• Homarid from Fallen Empires is the first creature to use tide counters.
• Tidal Influence from Fallen Empires is the first enchantment to use tide counters.

Time counter

Time counters are used to track upkeep. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.

Tower counter

• Helix Pinnacle from Eventide is the first enchantment to use tower counters.

Training counter

• Sensei Golden-Tail from Champions of Kamigawa is the first creature to use training counters.

Trap counter

• Trap Digger from Scourge is the first creature to use trap counters.

Treasure counter

• Legacy's Allure from Tempest is the first enchantment to use treasure counters.

Velocity counter

• Daredevil Dragster, a vehicle from Aether Revolt, is the first artifact to use velocity counters.
• Tornado from Alliances is the first enchantment to use velocity counters. It also uses age counters because it has cumulative upkeep.

Verse counter

Almost all Verse counters are used to track upkeep.

Vitality counter

• Originally, Living Artifact from Alpha used just counters. It was given errata to call them Vitality counters. It is the first enchantment aura to use vitality counters.

Volatile counter

Volatile counters were never released. They were put on permanents. If the permanent went out of the battlefield, then the counter triggered and did 2 damage to a target opponent.

Vow counter

• Promise of Loyalty from Commander 2021 is the first sorcery to use vow counters.

Voyage counter

• Cosima, God of the Voyage from Kaldheim is the first creature to use voyage counters.

Wage counter

Skull

• Rogue Skycaptain from Alliances is the first creature to use wage counters.

Winch counter

• Mercadian Lift from Mercadian Masques is the first artifact to use winch counters.

Wind counter

• Originally, Cyclone from Arabian Nights used chips. It was given errata to call them wind counters. It is the first enchantment to use wind counters.
• Freyalise's Winds from Ice Age

Wish counter

• Djinn of Wishes from Magic 2010 is the first creature to use wish counters.
• Ring of Three Wishes from Magic 2014 is the first artifact to use wish counters.
• Wishclaw Talisman from Throne of Eldraine

External links

• Christopher Bellach (September 5, 2018). "Counter Development". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.