When can you counter a spell?

You can only counter spells and abilities while they are on the stack; indeed, a spell can only be a spell on the stack, and if you read your counter spells carefully, they say exactly that: counter target spell. Therefore, if it’s not on the Stack, you can’t counter it, because it can’t be a spell.

Can you counter a spell before it gets copied?

Yes, that’s a perfectly valid play. For this specific case of Reverberate, these are the rulings you should take into account: 8/15/2010: Reverberate can target (and copy) any instant or sorcery spell, not just one with targets. It doesn’t matter who controls it.

Can you counter a played spell MTG?

you can not cancel it, you can only cancel a spell on the stack (as it is the only place they exist), they are putting it from their hand right into play so it can’t be countered.

What happens if you counter a spell?

701.5a To counter a spell or ability means to cancel it, removing it from the stack. It doesn’t resolve and none of its effects occur. A countered spell is put into its owner’s graveyard. 701.5b The player who cast a countered spell or activated a countered ability doesn’t get a “refund” of any costs that were paid.

Can you copy an opponent’s spell?

If an opponent activates Burrenton Forge-Tender’s ability choosing the Siege-Gang Commander as the source, then the damage on resolving both the original spell and the copy will be prevented. Once cast, the copy is a spell on the stack, and just like any other spell it can resolve or be countered.

Can fork counter a counterspell?

Your Fork will fizzle. Like any targeted spell or ability, you lock in your target when the spell is cast, and then check the legality of the target again upon resolution. Here, Counterspell will resolve before Fork, because it was put on the stack last.

Can you counter a spell that wasn’t cast?

You can’t counter spells until they have become cast (and trigger any relevant abilities due to being cast). Once a spell is announced, no one can interrupt the process of casting it until it has been fully cast.