Ability Question

[Coffee Vampire]

My bro and I were dueling, and he placed an {Ice Cage} on my {Primordial Hydra}. We weren't sure as to whether or not the hdra's double-counter ability is an actual...ability. It says to place double counters on it...so it is being targeted in a way. We decided to not count it, but now that the game is over I want to know for the future!

Just for the sake of telling a funny story: My hydra got to a 1,024/1,024 and then I finally drew an {Alabaster Mage} to get rid of the cage. I would have gained 1,024 life but he conceded.

[Poof]

It's an ability but not an activated ability.  U played it the right way it still gets counters and remains frozen.  Which is kind of weird u would think the bigger it gets the ice cage should break.  Hydras ability is a triggered ability because it triggers every time during your upkeep.  Activated abilities require you to pay a cost like mana tapping or sacrifice.

[Coffee Vampire]

Thank you!

(hah yeah that is what I was thinking...how can an ice cage get bigger to hold over 1,000 hydra heads? Lol)

[BlackJester]

Also, the ability doesn't target anything. You'll know because the text will specifically say "target". Except auras. Those target too.

[Coffee Vampire]

Oh okay! Thank you also!

[BadLuckIrish]

Equipment? Rules say the equip ability. Its a ability but would it work for an ice cage?

[BlackJester]

Equipment? Rules say the equip ability. Its a ability but would it work for an ice cage?

It says target on the text for equip.