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[scarsabrex]

Split-Second was another anti-counter...

Based on the "need for an answer" argument, why aren't more people clamoring for a way to remove poison counters (short of {Leeches})?

or emblema for that matter

Exactly!

I suspect it has most to do with the love/hate relationship with blue. When blue-haters build blue decks, it's almost always pure counters and bounces, totally ignoring everything else it has to offer. Everyone is shocked that my mono-blue has virtually no counterspells.

Let's not forget that it has few responses to artifacts and enchantments...

{U} =
•The most challenging color to use.
•The most irritating to fight (except MBC).
•The most fun.

I was being semi-sarcastic, you stop emblems by pointing removal and keeping counters off a planeswalker. You stop infect creatures with removal and combat. you can hit both with counters.

just because there isn't a direct answer doesn't mean tere isn't one at all.

[Dudecore]

If the way for blue to handle threats, and have only unplayable counters, then blue needs more creatures.

[ChrisRodriguez]

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=8983657#post8983657

[#noided]

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=8983657#post8983657

Should be playable in Limited. Can't say the same for constructed.

[scarsabrex]

If the way for blue to handle threats, and have only unplayable counters, the. blue needs more creatures.

blue has bounce, flyers, tap downs, and card manipulation to more than makeup for not being able to counter.

[Dudecore]

If the way for blue to handle threats, and have only unplayable counters, the. blue needs more creatures.

blue has bounce, flyers, tap downs, and card manipulation to more than makeup for not being able to counter.

Bounce doesn't stop ETB, no other color can (besides black and discard). Flyers cost too much, or are often underpowered. Card manipulation which is...? Put card on the top of opponents deck and {Index} which is a waste. Tapping creatures is cool, but the creatures you prevent from attacking you have to be attacked back with something substantial.

I'm not saying blue isn't good without counters, but it is a gigantic nerf. Blue used to bounce and counter returning creatures 2 cards that most colors can do with 1. Saving counter spells and the fear your opponent has that you "might" have a counter is part of the game. Having uncounterable everything then blue might as well not have counters and just better more playable creatures.

[scarsabrex]

you're basing your assumptions on the opposing deck only having counter protected cards. i'm saying that if you counter what's counterable you can combat the damage done by the countersafe cards with your other utilities.

[Guitello]

If the way for blue to handle threats, and have only unplayable counters, then blue needs more creatures.

Dude... 5 uncounterable cards allin different colors, that aren't all playable is in no way going to void counter spells. The only thing that makes/made people play a bit less counters is {Cavern of Souls}

[cltrn81]

I think wizards may be doing an experiment of some sort.  They give stand a bunch of uncounterable cards and then give crappy counterspells like {syncopate} and {dissipate} is ok but it cost 3 CMC so it is not spectacular by any means.  My point is that {U} has maintained a steady presence as the most dominant color in competitive play hands down.  They are just seeing if hosing the color makes {U} less dominant.....and when you think about it, that would be considered bringing balance and not so much as hosing a color.

[Guitello]

I think wizards may be doing an experiment of some sort.  They give stand a bunch of uncounterable cards and then give crappy counterspells like {syncopate} and {dissipate} is ok but it cost 3 CMC so it is not spectacular by any means.  My point is that {U} has maintained a steady presence as the most dominant color in competitive play hands down.  They are just seeing if hosing the color makes {U} less dominant.....and when you think about it, that would be considered bringing balance and not so much as hosing a color.

They definitely need to balance blue and buff red a bit. And {Syncopate} isn't that bad! Early on it can be played as a {Daze} when people tap out, and late game can be cast for more. Also it exiles. That's always fun

[Fenster]

I think wizards may be doing an experiment of some sort.  They give stand a bunch of uncounterable cards and then give crappy counterspells like {syncopate} and {dissipate} is ok but it cost 3 CMC so it is not spectacular by any means.  My point is that {U} has maintained a steady presence as the most dominant color in competitive play hands down.  They are just seeing if hosing the color makes {U} less dominant.....and when you think about it, that would be considered bringing balance and not so much as hosing a color.

They definitely need to balance blue and buff red a bit. And {Syncopate} isn't that bad! Early on it can be played as a {Daze} when people tap out, and late game can be cast for more. Also it exiles. That's always fun

I think you mean "Not fun"

[Dudecore]

I guarentee people will cry about {Syncopate} the moment they tap all their mana, stupidly, to cast something.

[Guitello]

I guarentee people will cry about {Syncopate} the moment they tap all their mana, stupidly, to cast something.

So your saying curving out is bad?
If someone has a counter spell/ you suspect they do, the newb mistake would just be to never play anything. One of the hardest concepts in magic is playing around counter spells, which often means running something into one

[Quackmaster5]

I guarentee people will cry about {Syncopate} the moment they tap all their mana, stupidly, to cast something.

So your saying curving out is bad?
If someone has a counter spell/ you suspect they do, the newb mistake would just be to never play anything. One of the hardest concepts in magic is playing around counter spells, which often means running something into one

Ya. Read Death Gaara's article on counters. It is very true and very informative. And it's helped me a heck of a lot against my friend who I hate bc he counters every god damn thing I play.

[Dudecore]

Curving out isn't stupid, but if have to leave 2 mana untapped to {mana leak}, why is it overpowered to ask you to keep 3 untapped? It's a soft counter.