Counter — Riftbound Rules

425.1.

Countering is the act of negating the execution, activation, or otherwise playing of a card or ability by a player.

425.1.a.

A card or ability that is Countered does nothing and is cleared from the chain.

425.1.b.

A card that is Countered is not considered to have been played.

425.1.c.

Countering does not refund any costs paid to play a card, activate an ability, or trigger an ability.

425.1.c.1.

This includes additional costs.

425.2.

Countering is a Limited Action.

425.2.a.

Players may only Counter cards and abilities when directed to by Game Effects.

425.3.

This action is formatted as "Counter [a card or ability on the chain]."

Related FAQ (2)

If I play Counter Strike in response to my opponent's Elder Dragon's play effect, will the chosen unit still die?

No. Elder Dragon changes lethal damage definition but not actual damage amount. Counter Strike's prevent effect replaces the damage entirely. If damage is prevented completely, it is never dealt per rule 437.2.a., and thus there is no opportunity for Elder Dragon's ability to apply.

I play Alpha Strike targeting my Master Yi, Unstoppable and splitting 12 damage among three of the four enemy units at battlefields. If my opponent plays Flash in reaction, moving two of the targeted units to base, can they then play Repulse and counter my Alpha Strike?

No, unless units move to non-board zones. Targeting relationships persist even when targets no longer fulfill restrictions. Units at base still count toward Repulse's requirement. Only movement to non-board zones severs the relationship entirely per rule 359.3.e.3.