<p>No, you can't counter an ability with an effect that says <code>counter target spell</code>. You can only counter a spell</p>
<p>One of the reasons why people play <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=aether%20vial">aether vial</a>, because you can't counter creatures put into play with aether vial</p>
<hr />
<p>You need to pay attention to the wording of the ability.  Because if the ability says that you can <strong>&quot;cast&quot;</strong> the creature such as <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Garruk%27s%20Horde">Garruk&#39;s Horde</a>, than it does take the form of spell, and can therefore be countered.</p>
<p>But if the ability says to <strong>put it onto the battlefield</strong> than it's not a spell, and can't be countered</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-25T00:12:22.207Z
Given what the OP said, it probably says "counter target *creature* spell". But this is of course right - an ability putting creatures onto the battlefield is still not a creature spell.
Cascabel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-24T19:43:59.513Z
2013-07-24T19:50:09.447Z
2013-07-24T19:50:09.447Z
Sam I am says Reinstate Monica
<p>No, for the reasons Sam cited.  But he could probably counter it with a spell like this, if he really wanted to:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/4Q3rN.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-25T17:19:52.160Z
But only if you have the judge foil Stifle; normal ones aren't strong enough.
Cascabel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-25T12:51:46.713Z
2013-07-25T12:51:46.713Z
thesunneversets
<p>If I activate a creature ability that puts creatures on the battlefield, can my opponet counter it with a counter target creature spell?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-24T19:52:55.177Z
for clarification, what are the names of the cards involved?
Sam I am says Reinstate Monica
<magic-the-gathering>
Can someone counter a creature ability with a counter target creature?
Adam
# Can someone counter a creature ability with a counter target creature?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-07-24)

If I activate a creature ability that puts creatures on the battlefield, can my opponet counter it with a counter target creature spell?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: for clarification, what are the names of the cards involved?  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-07-24. Score: 6

No, you can't counter an ability with an effect that says `counter target spell`. You can only counter a spell

One of the reasons why people play [aether vial](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=aether%20vial), because you can't counter creatures put into play with aether vial

---

You need to pay attention to the wording of the ability. Because if the ability says that you can **"cast"** the creature such as [Garruk's Horde](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Garruk%27s%20Horde), than it does take the form of spell, and can therefore be countered.

But if the ability says to **put it onto the battlefield** than it's not a spell, and can't be countered

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Given what the OP said, it probably says "counter target *creature* spell". But this is of course right - an ability putting creatures onto the battlefield is still not a creature spell.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-07-25. Score: 1

No, for the reasons Sam cited. But he could probably counter it with a spell like this, if he really wanted to:

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/4Q3rN.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: But only if you have the judge foil Stifle; normal ones aren't strong enough.  

---

