mtg when can creatures be countered

[rice]

when can creatures be countered in magic?

[Arix]

The same time any other spells can be - while they're on the stack, waiting to resolve.

[guyarney]

Originally Posted by rice

when can creatures be countered in magic?

When you cast it from your hand.

Which means, you simultaneously reveal it from your hand, announce the fact that you're playing the card, and pay its casting costs.

At this point, the card goes on the stack and your opponent has the chance to respond with instants and instant speed abilities. This is the time to cast spells that counter other spells. So if you want to counter a creature, this is the time to do it. Once it enters the battlefield, it cannot be countered.

[Kappu1]

Question that came to me last night was if someone cast Bloodbraid Elf then say the opponent Flashfreezes or Essence Scatters it does the Cascade still take place.

I told them it does because cascade happens when you actually play the spell not when it resolves just wanted to be sure that was correct even though I'm pretty positive that I'm correct.

[Arix]

Yep, you're right. Cascade triggers when the spell is played, so even if the spell is countered, cascade will still go through.

[guyarney]

Only spells and abilities that counter abilities can counter Cascade.

Spells such as Stifle and Trickbind.

[Arix]

Not really - you can always use a regular counterspell to counter the spell that's played through cascade.

[guyarney]

Originally Posted by Arix

Not really - you can always use a regular counterspell to counter the spell that's played through cascade.

I said "counter Cascade"

[Arix]

I know, but it's that sort of thing that can confuse players who don't know as much as we do.