So myThunderblust has died once, and been returned to play with a -1/-1 counter (it's persist ability). I then bring in a Nova Chaser and champion the Thunderblust. When the Nova Chaser dies the Thunderblust returns to play, is it with or without the -1/-1 counter? If it returns without, will the persist trigger the next time it dies? On a different note, if manage to put a +1/+1 counter on Thunderblust does that cancel out the -1/-1, or are there now just two opposing counters on it? Thanks!
If a creature with a -1/-1 counter leaves the battlefield for any reason and then returns to the battlefield it won't "remember" that it had a -1/-1 counter on it because it is effectively a brand new card. If a creature with persist dies and doesn't have a -1/-1 counter then persist will bring it back. The game doesn't care if the card at some point had a -1/-1 counter or that it has already "used" persist just that it doesn't currently have a -1/-1 counter.
And yes, +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on a creature annihilate each other 1:1 as a state based action. Those are the only types of counters for which that is the case.
Note, that if a creature with +1/+1 counters dies due to having its toughness reduced to 0 or less by -1/-1 counters, it dies with both types of counters, and neither undying nor persist will trigger for it.
So myThunderblust has died once, and been returned to play with a -1/-1 counter (it's persist ability). I then bring in a Nova Chaser and champion the Thunderblust. When the Nova Chaser dies the Thunderblust returns to play, is it with or without the -1/-1 counter?
When Nova Chaser dies, Thunderblust comes back brand new, with no counter. (rule 122.2)
That's because Thunderblust did no die, it got exiled (by the Champion ability). (rule 702.71)
Only if it actually dies does Persist come into effect. (rule 700.4)
if manage to put a +1/+1 counter on Thunderblust does that cancel out the -1/-1, or are there now just two opposing counters on it? Thanks!
Both counters will disappear.
The +1/+1 and -1/-1 really anihilate each other. (rule 704.5q)
(as Rezzahan mentioned, these are the only counters in the game with such behavior)
Note, that if a creature with +1/+1 counters dies due to having its toughness reduced to 0 or less by -1/-1 counters, it dies with both types of counters, and neither undying nor persist will trigger for it.
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When Nova Chaser dies, Thunderblust comes back brand new, with no counter. (rule 122.2)
That's because Thunderblust did no die, it got exiled (by the Champion ability). (rule 702.71)
Only if it actually dies does Persist come into effect. (rule 700.4)
Yes.
Everytime it dies, a new check is made: does it have a -1/-1 counter? (rule 702.78a)
Both counters will disappear.
The +1/+1 and -1/-1 really anihilate each other. (rule 704.5q)
(as Rezzahan mentioned, these are the only counters in the game with such behavior)
RULES OF MAGIC :
http://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/rules-and-formats/rules