<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Essence%20Scatter">Essence Scatter</a> counters a creature spell, and countering a spell is defined in the <a href="https://media.wizards.com/2021/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020210224.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Comprehensive Rules 701.5a</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Note that technically there is never a creature in this case: a spell becomes a creature only when it enters the battlefield.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-16T16:23:02.910Z
2021-04-16T16:23:02.910Z
Philip Kendall
<p>When one plays <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Essence%20Scatter">Essence Scatter</a>, does the target creature go back to the opponent's hand, or does it go to their graveyard?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-16T17:22:12.657Z
Note: a "creature spell" is a spell that is on the stack and has not yet resolved.  Once a creature is on the battlefield it is a creature.
John
<magic-the-gathering>
What happens to target creature when Essence Scatter is played?
Maple Owl
# What happens to target creature when Essence Scatter is played?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-04-16)

When one plays [Essence Scatter](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Essence%20Scatter), does the target creature go back to the opponent's hand, or does it go to their graveyard?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Note: a "creature spell" is a spell that is on the stack and has not yet resolved.  Once a creature is on the battlefield it is a creature.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-04-16. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

[Essence Scatter](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Essence%20Scatter) counters a creature spell, and countering a spell is defined in the [Comprehensive Rules 701.5a](https://media.wizards.com/2021/downloads/MagicCompRules%2020210224.pdf):

> 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.

Note that technically there is never a creature in this case: a spell becomes a creature only when it enters the battlefield.


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