Counter a ciphered spell

[Anoobass]

As the title states, can you counter a ciphered spell that is already encoded on a creature, when it deals the combat damage.

[scarsabrex]

Yes, however note that additional attacks will still yield the spell though.

[Giggle the Draco Genius]

Something to be aware of though. Once it is encoded the only way to get rid of it is to remove the creature. You can counter the one that was created, but it is still encoded so it can still be cast again next time it does damage to a player

[Birdbrain]

You are copying the whole spell so can't you recipher?

you would have to use something like {reverberate} to copy it

[Mlerner12]

Well, you cast a copy. That's what the parenthesies say. So wouldn't you get to cipher the copy?

[Keyeto]

Just to make sure we're clear on everything here. There's no such thing as "re-ciphering" a card. Once you encode your creature, it's a done deal, and you don't get a redo.

To encode a creature, you need to exile the card. No card to exile means no encoding. This goes the same for copying a card with Cipher. The copy is not a card, and thus cannot be exiled to encode a creature.

[Mlerner12]

I
Mean, can't you cipher the copy ALSO?

[Keyeto]

I
Mean, can't you cipher the copy ALSO?

Unless I'm misunderstanding, I just answered that

Note wording for Cipher: "Then you may exile this spell card encoded on a creature you control." A copy is not a card, and cannot be exiled for Cipher to encode a creature.

[Mlerner12]

I
Mean, can't you cipher the copy ALSO?

Unless I'm misunderstanding, I just answered that

Note wording for Cipher: "Then you may exile this spell card encoded on a creature you control." A copy is not a card, and cannot be exiled for Cipher to encode a creature.

Sorry, I misunderstood your answer 😉

[Kaleo42]

You can cipher a copy, but being a copy not a card means the new cipher has no reference material and ceases to exist. Copys of spells are just like creature tokens.