Say I have a Splatter Thug in play. I haven't unleashed it. Someone plays Battlegrowth on my thug, and attacks in. Can I block?
I ask this because "can't block if it has a counter" is purely in the reminder text, but then again, it would probably say "if you do, it can't block" instead. I've thoroughly confused myself here.
It can't block. Regardless of where the counter came from, the part of unleash that says "this can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it" will apply.
Unleash is actually two separate abilities in one keyword. The first ability is "you may choose to have this enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter." The second completely separate ability that's not linked to the first is "this can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it."
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A creature with unleash that has a +1/+1 counter on it can't block, regardless of where the +1/+1 counter came from.
702.96a Unleash is a keyword that represents two static abilities. "Unleash" means "You may have this permanent enter the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it" and "This permanent can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it."
You can't block. Unleash doesn't care about where the +1/+1 counter came from, if it's on the creature then they can't block.
It was designed this way so if a +1/+1 counter got on your creatures through other means you wouldn't have to remember which were unleashed when they were cast and which weren't so to prevent memory issues.
I ask this because "can't block if it has a counter" is purely in the reminder text, but then again, it would probably say "if you do, it can't block" instead. I've thoroughly confused myself here.
Unleash is actually two separate abilities in one keyword. The first ability is "you may choose to have this enter the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter." The second completely separate ability that's not linked to the first is "this can't block as long as it has a +1/+1 counter on it."
This FAQ answers many of the common questions asked in the MTGS Rulings forum. Take a look!
I'm the editor/content manager of the Magic Rules Tips Blog - Bookmark this site for daily tips about game and tournament rules.
"Abstract concepts of perfect judging run headlong into the realities of how people play the game." - Toby Elliott (papa_funk)
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It was designed this way so if a +1/+1 counter got on your creatures through other means you wouldn't have to remember which were unleashed when they were cast and which weren't so to prevent memory issues.