MTG Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
MTG Wiki
MTG Wiki
7,584
pages
in: Life counters

Changes: Life counter

Back to page
Edit this Page
mNo edit summary
No edit summary
(28 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  ⚫
[[File:ORI Spindown life counter.png|thumb|right|''[[Magic Origins]]'' spindown life counters]]
 
A '''life counter''' is a device to keep track of [[life]] totals.
  
A '''life counter''' is a device to keep track of [[life]] totals.
  +
 
==Types==
  
==Types==
 
===''Scrye'' counter===
  
===''Scrye'' counter===
  ⚫
''[[Scrye]]'' magazine sold a series of pewter life counters produced by [http://www.reapermini.com/Reaper Miniatures] beginning in [[1994]]. The counters were made in two pieces. The 2-inch base was etched with the numbers 1-20 along the edge. A rotating piece with an indicator arrow was put on top, and featured artwork or miniature figure. These came in several colors and styles and could be painted by the owner just like similar miniatures. These counters were not official ''Magic'' products but were very popular with players of the time.
⚫
[[Image:Scrye counter 1.jpg|thumb|''Scrye'' life counter]]
  
⚫
''[[Scrye]]'' magazine sold a series of pewter life counters produced by [[Reaper Miniatures]] beginning in [[1994]]. The counters were made in two pieces. The 2 inch base was etched with the numbers 1-20 along the edge. A rotating piece with an indicator arrow was put on top, and featured artwork or miniature figure. These came in several colors and styles and could be painted by the owner just like similar miniatures. These counters were not official ''Magic'' products, but were very popular with players of the time.
  
   
 
===''Duelist'' counter===
  
===''Duelist'' counter===
  ⚫
Sold by ''[[The Duelist]]'' since 1995, these sturdy, finely crafted pewter counters let you mark off lives with brass- and silver-plated beads. They were available in the 5 mana colors. The counter fits in a ''[[Magic]]'' deck box.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/duelist-life-counters-2009-07-30|''Duelist'' Life Counters|[[Magic Arcana]]|July 30, 2009}}</ref>
⚫
[[Image:Life Counter Duelist.jpg|thumb|''Duelist'' life counter]]
  
⚫
Sold by ''[[The Duelist]]'' since 1995, these sturdy, finely crafted pewter counters let you mark off lifes with brass- and silver-plated beads. They were avalaible in the 5 mana colors. The counter fit in a ''[[Magic]]'' deck box.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/duelist-life-counters-2009-07-30|''Duelist'' Life Counters|[[Magic Arcana]]|July 30, 2009}}</ref>
  
   
 
===Spindown life counter===
  
===Spindown life counter===
−
[[File:Spindown life counter.jpg|thumb|Spindown life counter illustrating how numbers are sequentially next to each other, arrows do not appear on the counter itself.]]
 +
[[File:Spindown life counter.jpg|thumb|Spindown life counter illustrating how numbers are sequentially next to each other, arrows do not appear on the counter itself]]
−
A spindown life counter is a 20 sided die that is designed for the express purpose of keeping track of life totals. Its sides are in a sequence such that adjacent numbers are next to each other, facilitating the change of life total and avoiding any complications with finding the desired life total. This is different from a standard 20-sided die, on which the numbers that are opposite of each other on the die add up to 21 (1 is opposite from 20, 2 is opposite from 19, and so on), as is traditional for dice in general.
 +
A spindown life counter is a 20 sided die that is designed for the express purpose of keeping track of life totals. Its sides are in a sequence such that adjacent numbers are next to each other, facilitating the change of life total and avoiding any complications with finding the desired life total. This is different from a standard 20-sided die, on which the numbers that are opposite of each other on the die add up to one more than the number of sides (21 here; 1 is opposite from 20, 2 is opposite from 19, and so on), as is traditional for dice in general.
   
 
The "20" on a spindown life counter is replaced with an [[expansion symbol]] (or in the case of [[core set]]s the appropriate number).
  
The "20" on a spindown life counter is replaced with an [[expansion symbol]] (or in the case of [[core set]]s the appropriate number).
   
−
Spindown life counters are generally found in [[fat pack]]s, beginning with ''[[Apocalypse]]'', and are generally made in the five [[Magic: The Gathering]] colors ([[white]], [[blue]], [[black]], [[red]], [[green]]) for each set. There was a gold-colored spindown life counter in the ''[[Alara Reborn]]'' fat pack as the set is gold based.
 +
The first spindown life counters appeared in ''[[Beatdown]]'' box set. They are generally found in [[fat pack]]s / [[bundle]]s, beginning with ''[[Apocalypse]]'', and are generally made in the five [[Magic: The Gathering]] colors ([[white]], [[blue]], [[black]], [[red]], [[green]]) for each set. There was a gold-colored spindown life counter in the ''[[Alara Reborn]]'' fat pack as the set is gold based.
   
−
A five-piece set, containing one of each color, was sold as a standalone product (WOC06137, ISBN 0743002377). The symbol used was an icon of the <c>Black Lotus</c>.
 +
A five-piece set, containing one of each color, was sold as a standalone product (WOC06137, ISBN-13 978-0743002377). The symbol used was an icon of the <c>Black Lotus</c>.
  +
  +
Starting with ''[[Core Set 2020]]'' spindown life counters became oversized. For the For ''[[Zendikar Rising]]'', Wizards of the Coast updated the orientation of the numbers on the d20 to make it a little more intuitive and satisfying to use.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/zendikar-rising-product-overview-2020-09-02|''Zendikar Rising'' Product Overview|Ari Zirulnik|September 2, 2020}}</ref>
   
 
===Circle spinner===
  
===Circle spinner===
  ⚫
In ''Coldsnap''<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/coldsnap-cube-2009-11-30|''Coldsnap'' Cube|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 30, 2009}}</ref> and the [[Ravnica block]], Wizards chose to try a different approach. Instead of dice, a plastic life counter with a circle spinner that had numbers going from 1 to 30 was included in fat packs for the block. These life counters were not unlike those that were provided on ''Magic: The Gathering''-branded [[Ultra Pro]] [[deck box]]es.
⚫
[[File:Life Counter Ravnica.jpg|right|thumb|Circle spinner]]
  
⚫
[[File:Life Counter Deck box.jpg|right|thumb|Double Circle spinner on Ultra Pro Deck box]]
  
⚫
In ''Coldsnap''<ref>{{NewRef|feature/coldsnap-cube-2009-11-30|''Coldsnap'' Cube|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 30, 2009}}</ref> and the [[Ravnica block]], Wizards chose to try a different approach. Instead of dice, a plastic life counter with a circle spinner that had numbers going from 1 to 30 was included in fat packs for the block. These life counters were not unlike those that were provided on ''Magic: The Gathering''-branded [[Ultra Pro]] [[deck box]]es.
  
   
−
Some odd-shaped circle spinners were provided for ''[[Ninth Edition]]'' (an [[angel]]) and ''[[Unhinged]]'' (an eight ball).<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/life-counters-2012-12-10|The Life Counters|[[Monty Ashley]]|December 10, 2012}}</ref>
 +
Some odd-shaped circle spinners were provided for ''[[Ninth Edition]]'' (an [[angel]]) and ''[[Unhinged]]'' (an eight ball).<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/life-counters-2012-12-10|The Life Counters|[[Monty Ashley]]|December 10, 2012}}</ref>
   
 
===Double-wheeled counter===
  
===Double-wheeled counter===
−
[[File:Life Counter Arsenal.jpg|right|thumb|Double-wheeled counter]]
 +
''[[Commander's Arsenal]]'' provided a doubled-wheeled counter that goes up to 99 life.
−
''[[Commander's Arsenal]]'' provided a doubled wheeled counter that goes up to 99 life.
  
   
 
These were also included in ''[[Archenemy: Nicol Bolas]]'' and ''[[Commander Anthology]]''.
  
These were also included in ''[[Archenemy: Nicol Bolas]]'' and ''[[Commander Anthology]]''.
  +
  +
===Life wheel===
  +
The life wheel is a card with a wheel embedded into it to help you keep score. It was introduced with the ''[[Throne of Eldraine]]'' [[Brawl]] decks.<ref name="Booster Fun">{{DailyRef|making-magic/project-booster-fun-2019-07-20|Project Booster Fun|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1169733864425525248|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=For all those wondering what the new life wheel in the MTG Eldraine Brawl Decks looks like... check it out!|date=September 6, 2019}}</ref>
   
 
===Electronic life counter ===
  
===Electronic life counter ===
 
Several apps are available to provide electronic life counters for mobile devices or Windows PC.
  
Several apps are available to provide electronic life counters for mobile devices or Windows PC.
   
−
In 2018, [[Wizards of the Coast]] releases the official [[Magic: The Gathering Portal]] app.<ref name="Announcing">{{NewRef|CompanionApp|Announcing the Official Magic Companion App, Magic: The Gathering Portal|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|February 14, 2018}}</ref>
 +
In 2018, [[Wizards of the Coast]] announced the [[Magic: The Gathering Portal]] app, but it was canceled and instead, they replaced it with [[Magic: The Gathering Companion]].<ref name="Announcing">{{DailyRef|CompanionApp|Announcing the Official Magic Companion App, Magic: The Gathering Portal|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|February 14, 2018}}</ref>
   
 
==Gallery==
  
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
  
<gallery>
  ⚫
File:Scrye counter 1.jpg|''Scrye'' life counter
  +
File:Scrye counter 2.jpg|''Scrye'' life counter (2)
  ⚫
File:Life Counter Duelist.jpg|''Duelist'' life counter
  ⚫
File:Life Counter Ravnica.jpg|Circle spinner
  ⚫
File:Life Counter Deck box.jpg|Double Circle spinner on Ultra Pro Deck box
  +
File:Life Counter Arsenal.jpg|Double-wheeled counter
 
File:Spindown life counters.jpg|Black Lotus five-counter pack
  
File:Spindown life counters.jpg|Black Lotus five-counter pack
 
File:DTK Spindown life counter.jpg|[[Dragonfury]] counters (''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]'')
  
File:DTK Spindown life counter.jpg|[[Dragonfury]] counters (''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]'')
⚫
File:ORI Spindown life counter.png|''[[Magic Origins]]'' counters
 
 
File:Ultra Pro life counter.png|[[Ultra Pro]] life counter
  
File:Ultra Pro life counter.png|[[Ultra Pro]] life counter
 
File:BFZ life counter.jpg|''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' life counter
  
File:BFZ life counter.jpg|''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' life counter
Line 47: Line 54:
 
File:EMN life counter.png|''[[Eldritch Moon]]'' life counter
  
File:EMN life counter.png|''[[Eldritch Moon]]'' life counter
 
File:AKH life counter.png|''[[Amonkhet]]'' "lazotep" life counter
  
File:AKH life counter.png|''[[Amonkhet]]'' "lazotep" life counter
  +
File:MTG Portal on phone.png|[[Magic: The Gathering Portal]]
  +
File:Life Counter Arena League.jpg|[[Arena League]] life counter
  +
File:Life Counter 10th anniversary.jpg|''Magic'' 10th anniversary life counter wheel
  +
File:Oversized life counter.png|''[[Core Set 2020]]'' oversized life counter compared to ''[[War of the Spark]]'' life counter
  +
File:Life Wheel.png|Life wheel provided with ''[[Throne of Eldraine]]'' [[Brawl Deck]]s.
  +
File:VOW Glow life counter.jpg|''[[Crimson Vow]]'' "glow-in-the dark" life counter.
  +
File:VOW Blood life counter.jpg|''[[Crimson Vow]]'' "blood" life counter.
  +
File:NEO life counter.png|''[[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty]]'' "Ogre Helm" life counter.
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
Line 52: Line 67:
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}
   
  +
==External links==
⚫
[[Category:Life counters|*]]
  
  +
*[http://www.dicecollector.com/THE_DICE_THEME_WIZARDS_OF_THE_COAST.html All ''Magic'' dice at the Dicecollector.com]
  +
  ⚫
[[Category:Life counters]]

Revision as of 13:14, 26 December 2021

ORI Spindown life counter

Magic Origins spindown life counters

A life counter is a device to keep track of life totals.

Types

Scrye counter

Scrye magazine sold a series of pewter life counters produced by Miniatures beginning in 1994. The counters were made in two pieces. The 2-inch base was etched with the numbers 1-20 along the edge. A rotating piece with an indicator arrow was put on top, and featured artwork or miniature figure. These came in several colors and styles and could be painted by the owner just like similar miniatures. These counters were not official Magic products but were very popular with players of the time.

Duelist counter

Sold by The Duelist since 1995, these sturdy, finely crafted pewter counters let you mark off lives with brass- and silver-plated beads. They were available in the 5 mana colors. The counter fits in a Magic deck box.[1]

Spindown life counter

Spindown life counter

Spindown life counter illustrating how numbers are sequentially next to each other, arrows do not appear on the counter itself

A spindown life counter is a 20 sided die that is designed for the express purpose of keeping track of life totals. Its sides are in a sequence such that adjacent numbers are next to each other, facilitating the change of life total and avoiding any complications with finding the desired life total. This is different from a standard 20-sided die, on which the numbers that are opposite of each other on the die add up to one more than the number of sides (21 here; 1 is opposite from 20, 2 is opposite from 19, and so on), as is traditional for dice in general.

The "20" on a spindown life counter is replaced with an expansion symbol (or in the case of core sets the appropriate number).

The first spindown life counters appeared in Beatdown box set. They are generally found in fat packs / bundles, beginning with Apocalypse, and are generally made in the five Magic: The Gathering colors (white, blue, black, red, green) for each set. There was a gold-colored spindown life counter in the Alara Reborn fat pack as the set is gold based.

A five-piece set, containing one of each color, was sold as a standalone product (WOC06137, ISBN-13 978-0743002377). The symbol used was an icon of the Black Lotus.

Starting with Core Set 2020 spindown life counters became oversized. For the For Zendikar Rising, Wizards of the Coast updated the orientation of the numbers on the d20 to make it a little more intuitive and satisfying to use.[2]

Circle spinner

In Coldsnap[3] and the Ravnica block, Wizards chose to try a different approach. Instead of dice, a plastic life counter with a circle spinner that had numbers going from 1 to 30 was included in fat packs for the block. These life counters were not unlike those that were provided on Magic: The Gathering-branded Ultra Pro deck boxes.

Some odd-shaped circle spinners were provided for Ninth Edition (an angel) and Unhinged (an eight ball).[4]

Double-wheeled counter

Commander's Arsenal provided a doubled-wheeled counter that goes up to 99 life.

These were also included in Archenemy: Nicol Bolas and Commander Anthology.

Life wheel

The life wheel is a card with a wheel embedded into it to help you keep score. It was introduced with the Throne of Eldraine Brawl decks.[5][6]

Electronic life counter

Several apps are available to provide electronic life counters for mobile devices or Windows PC.

In 2018, Wizards of the Coast announced the Magic: The Gathering Portal app, but it was canceled and instead, they replaced it with Magic: The Gathering Companion.[7]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 30, 2009). "Duelist Life Counters". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Ari Zirulnik (September 2, 2020). "Zendikar Rising Product Overview". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Magic Arcana (November 30, 2009). "Coldsnap Cube". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Monty Ashley (December 10, 2012). "The Life Counters". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 21, 2019). "Project Booster Fun". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Gavin Verhey (September 6, 2019). "For all those wondering what the new life wheel in the MTG Eldraine Brawl Decks looks like... check it out!". Twitter.
  7. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (February 14, 2018). "Announcing the Official Magic Companion App, Magic: The Gathering Portal". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links

Community content is available under CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms