The following is an alphabetical list of counters used in all core sets and expansions and the cards that produce them:
- Gilder Bairn was the first card to double the amount of counters on any permanent.
- Aether Snap was the first card to remove all counters on all permanents.
- Vampire Hexmage was the first permanent card that can remove all counters from a permanent.
- Hex Parasite was the first card that can remove fewer than all counters of any type from a permanent.
±N/±M counter
These counter modify the power and toughness of a creature. Only the +1/+1 and the -1/-1 counter are still in use and can annihilate each other.
+1/+1 counter
+1/+1 counters are the most common counter type in Magic. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.
-1/-1 counter
-1/-1 counters are the inverse of +1/+1 counter. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.
Deprecated ±N/±M counter
The rest of these power and toughness counter are deprecated and no longer printed on modern cards.
+0/+1 counter
- Originally, Living Armor from The Dark put a +0/+X counter on a creature. It was given errata to place X +0/+1 counters on instead.
- Necropolis from The Dark received X +0/+1 counters where X is the converted mana cost of a creature exiled from its controller's graveyard.
- Dwarven Armorer from Fallen Empires was the first creature to produce a +0/+1 or a +1/+0 counter.
- Sacred Boon from Ice Age was the first instant to create +0/+1 counters.
- Coral Reef from Homelands is the first enchantment to produce +0/+1 counters. It also uses polyp counters.
- Scars of the Veteran from Alliances is like Sacred Boon from Ice Age except Scars of the Veteran can put up to seven +0/+1 counters on a creature for each point of damage prevented.
- Wall of Resistance from Mirage
+0/+2 counter
- Frankenstein's Monster from The Dark is the first and only creature to come into play with +2/+0, +1/+1 and/or +0/+2 counters.
+1/+0 counter
- Clockwork Beast from Alpha was the first card to use +1/+0 counters.
- Clockwork Avian from Antiquities used +1/+0 counters, like Clockwork Beast.
- Dwarven Armorer from Fallen Empires is the first creature to produce a +0/+1 or a +1/+0 counter.
- Ebon Praetor from Fallen Empires is the first creature that could receive a -2/-2 counter for not doing something. If you did do it, instead it received a +1/+0 counter.
- Consuming Ferocity from Mirage is the first enchantment - aura to produce +1/+0 counters.
- Balduvian Hydra from Ice Age is the first Hydra to use +1/+0 counters. Most Hydras since use +1/+1 counters.
- Clockwork Steed and Clockwork Swarm from Homelands like Clockwork Avian and Clockwork Beast before them, also use +1/+0 counters.
- Lightning Serpent from Coldsnap
+1/+2 counter
- Armor Thrull from Fallen Empires is the first creature to produce a +1/+2 counter when sacrificed.
+2/+0 counter
- Frankenstein's Monster from The Dark is the first and only creature to come into play with +2/+0, +1/+1 and/or +0/+2 counters.
+2/+2 counter
- Soul Exchange from Fallen Empires is the first sorcery to produce +2/+2 counters.
- Dwarven Armory from Ice Age is the first enchantment to produce +2/+2 counters.
- Baron Sengir from Homelands is the first creature to produce +2/+2 counters.
- There are 4 chimeras from Visions that can be sacrificed to produce +2/+2 counters on a target chimera; Brass-Talon Chimera, Iron-heart Chimera, Lead-Belly Chimera and Tin-Wing Chimera.
- Fungus Elemental from Weatherlight is the first creature to produce +2/+2 counters only on the turn it comes into play.
-0/-1 counter
- Takklemaggot from Legends is the first enchantment - aura to produce -0/-1 counters.
- Lesser Werewolf from Legends is the first creature to produce -0/-1 counters.
- Essence Flare from Ice Age
- Kjeldoran Home Guard from Alliances is the first creature to produce -0/-1 counters.
- Shield Sphere from Alliances is the first artifact to produce -0/-1 counters.
- Wall of Roots from Mirage
-0/-2 counter
- Spirit Shackle from Legends is the first enchantment aura to use -0/-2 counters.
- Greater Werewolf from Homelands is the first creature to produce -0/-2 counters.
-1/-0 counter
- Jabari's Influence from Mirage is the first instant to produce -1/-0 counters.
-2/-1 counter
- Contagion from Alliances is the first instant to produce -2/-1 counters.
-2/-2 counter
- Ebon Praetor from Fallen Empires is the first creature that could receive a -2/-2 counter for not doing something. If you did do it instead it received a +1/+0 counter.
Age counter
Age counter are exclusively used by cards with cumulative upkeep.
Aim counter
- Hankyu from Champions of Kamigawa is the first artifact equipment to use aim counters.
Arrow counter
- Archery Training from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment - aura to use arrow counters.
Arrowhead counter
- Serrated Arrows from Homelands is the first artifact to use arrowhead counters. It also produces -1/-1 counters.
Awakening counter
- Liege of the Tangle from Scars of Mirrodin is the first creature to produce awakening counters.
Blaze counter
- Obsidian Fireheart from Zendikar is the first creature to produce blaze counters.
- Five-Alarm Fire from Gatecrash is the first enchantment to produce blaze counters.
Blood counter
- Bloodletter Quill from Ravnica: City of Guilds is the first artifact to use blood counters.
- Rakdos Riteknife from Dissension is the first equipment to use blood counters.
Bounty counter
- Bounty Hunter from Tempest is the first creature to produce bounty counters.
Bribery counter
- Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer from Conflux is the first creature to produce bribery counters.
Brick counter
- Brick counters were introduced in Amonkhet on artifacts (monuments) that had two activations: one that has an effect and puts a brick counter on the artifact, and a second with a stronger version of the effect but only usable if you had three or more brick counters. This cycle was representing the constant monument-building that went on in ancient Egypt.[1][2]
Carrion counter
- Originally, Osai Vultures from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use Carrion counters. It is the first creature to use carrion counters.
Charge counter
Charge counters belong to the most common counter types in Magic. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.
Credit counter
- Icatian Moneychanger from Fallen Empires was the first creature to use credit counters.
Corpse counter
- Originally, Scavenging Ghoul from Alpha just used counters. It was given errata to call them corpse counters. It is the first creature to use corpse counters.
Crystal counter
- Prism Array from Battle for Zendikar was the first enchantment to use crystal counters.
Cube counter
- Delif's Cube from Fallen Empiresis the first artifact to use cube counters.
Currency counter
- Trade Caravan from Homelands is the first creature to use currency counters.
Death counter
- Bogardan Phoenix from Visions is the first creature to use death counters.
Delay counter
- Ertai's Meddling from Tempest is the first instant to use delay counters.
- Delaying Shield from Odyssey is the first enchantment to use delay counters.
Depletion counter
Depletion counter are almost exclusively used for depletion lands.
Despair counter
- Descent into Madness from Avacyn Restored is the first enchantment to use despair counters.
Devotion counter
- Bloodthirsty Ogre and Pious Kitsune from Champions of Kamigawa are the first creatures to use devotion counters.
Divinity counter
Divinity counters are used to make permanents indestructible.
Doom counter
- Originally, Armageddon Clock from Antiquities just used counters. It was given errata to call them doom counters.
Dream counter
- Originally, Rasputin Dreamweaver from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use dream counters.
Echo counter
- Soul Echo from Mirage is the first enchantment to use echo counters.
Elixir counter
- Essence Bottle from Tempest is the first artifact to use elixir counters.
Energy counter
- Energy Vortex from Mirage was the first enchantment to use energy counters. It was them changed to use vortex counters instead, as energy counters were introduced in Kaladesh, Energy Vortex received an errata to use Vortex Counters instead.
As of Kaladesh, players can receive Energy Counters are placed on players and can be generated by multiple different ways, being spent to activate abilities or effects of certain cards (analogous to a seventh mana type).
Eon counter
- Magosi, the Waterveil from Zendikar is the first land to use eon counters.
Experience counter
Experience counter are placed on players, and are generated by the cycle of Generals from Commander 2015.
Eyeball counter
- Jar of Eyeballs from Dark Ascension is the first artifact to use eyeball counters.
Fade counter
Fade counters are exclusively used by the Fading mechanic.
Fate counter
- Oblivion Stone from Mirrodin is the first artifact to use fate counters.
- Triad of Fates from Theros is the first creature to use fate counters.
Feather counter
- Kangee, Aerie Keeper from Invasion is the first creature to use feather counters.
- Soulcatchers' Aerie from Judgment is the first enchantment to use feather counters.
- Aven Mimeomancer from Alara Reborn
Filibuster counter
- Azor's Elocutors from Return to Ravnica is the first creature to use Filibuster counters.
Flood counter
- Quicksilver Fountain from Mirrodin is the first artifact to use flood counters.
- Aquitect's Will from Lorwyn is the first sorcery to produce flood counters.
Fungus counter
- Mindbender Spores from Mirage is the first creature to produce fungus counters.
- Sporogenesis from Urza's Sage is the first enchantment to produce fungus counters.
Fuse counter
- Goblin Bomb from Weatherlight is the first enchantment non-aura to use fuse counters.
- Incendiary from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to use fuse counters.
- Powder Keg from Urza's Destiny is the first artifact to produce fuse counters.
- Bomb Squad from Odyssey is the first creature to produce fuse counters.
Gem counter
- Briber's Purse from Khan's of Tarkir is the first artifact to use gem counters.
Glyph counter
- Originally, Glyph of Delusion from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use glyph counters.
Gold counters
- Aurification from Onslaught is the first enchantment to produce gold counters.
Growth counter
- Malignant Growth from Mirage is the first enchantment non-aura to use growth counters.
- Momentum from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to produce growth counters.
Hatchling counter
- Ludevic's Test Subject from Innistrad is the first creature to use hatchling counters.
Healing counter
- Fylgja from Ice Age is the first enchantment aura to use healing counters.
- Ursine Fylgja from Coldsnap is the first creature to use healing counters.
Hoofprint counter
- Hoofprints of the Stag from Lorwyn is the first enchantment to use hoofprint counters.
Hourglass counter
- Temporal Distortion from Invasion is the first enchantment to use hourglass counters.
Hunger counter
- Originally, Fasting from The Dark used counters. It was given errata to use hunger counters. It is the first enchantment to use hunger counters.
Ice counter
- Iceberg from Ice Age is the first enchantment to use ice counters.
- Dark Depths from Coldsnap is the first land to use ice counters.
- Rimefeather Owl from Coldsnap is the first creature to put ice counters on any permanent.
- Rimescale Dragon from Coldsnap
- Woolly Razorback from Coldsnap
- Thing in the Ice from Shadows over Innistrad
Incubation counter
- Originally, Triassic Egg from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use incubation counters. It is the first artifact to use incubation counters.
It was later given errata to use hatchling counters.
Currently, there is no card that uses incubation counters.
Infection counter
- Diseased Vermin from Alliances is the first creature to use infection counters.
- Festering Wound from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to use infection counters.
Intervention counter
- Originally, Divine Intervention from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use intervention counters. It is the first enchantment to use intervention counters.
Isolation counter
- Quarantine Field from Battle for Zendikar is the first enchantment to use isolation counters.
Javelin counter
- Icatian Javelineers from Fallen Empires is the first creature to use javelin counters.
Ki counter
Ki counters are created by certain permanents, whenever you cast a spirit or arcane spell.
Level counter
Level counter are exclusively used by the Level up mechanic.
Lore counter
- Mind Unbound from Magic 2012 is the first enchantment to produce lore counters.
- Scroll of the Masters from Fate Reforged is the first artifact to produce lore counters.
- Myth Realized from Dragons of Tarkir
Loyalty counter
Planeswalkers, first introduced in Lorwyn, use loyalty counters as a substitute for life and for paying the costs of their abilities.
Luck counter
- Chance Encounter from Odyssey is the first enchantment to use luck counters.
- Gemstone Caverns from Time Spiral is the first land to use luck counters.
Magnet counter
- Magnetic Web from Tempest is the first artifact to use magnet counters.
Manifestation counter
- Arbiter of the Ideal from Born of the Gods is the first creature to use manifestation counters.
Mannequin counter
- Makeshift Mannequin from Lorwyn is the first creature to use mannequin counters.
Mask counter
- Originally, Illusionary Mask from Alpha didn’t use any counters. It was given errata to use mask counters to mark the face-down creature. Another errata removed the mention to said counters later, so that Illusionary Mask doesn't use counters at all.
Currently, there is no card that makes use of or references mask counters.
Matrix counter
- Originally, Life Matrix from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use matrix counters.
Mine counter
- Mine Layer from Odyssey is the first creature to use mine counters.
Mining counter
- Gemstone Mine from Weatherlight is the first land to use mining counters.
Mire counter
- Originally, Cyclopean Tomb from Alpha used tokens to mark lands it turned into swamps. It was given errata to use mire counters to keep track.
Music counter
- Musician from Ice Age is the first creature to use music counters. It also uses age counters.
Muster counter
- Assemble the Legion from Gatecrash is the first enchantment to use muster counters.
Net counter
- Merseine from Fallen Empires is the first enchantment to use net counters.
Omen counter
- Celestial Convergence from Prophecy is the first enchantment non-aura to produce omen counters. Celestial Convergence is an alternate win condition card.
Ore counter
- Orcish Mine from Homelands is the first enchantment aura to use ore counters.
Page counter
- Barrin's Codex from Urza's Saga is the first artifact to use page counters.
- Private Research from Urza's Destiny is the first enchantment aura to produce page counters.
Pain counter
- Torture Chamber from Tempest is the first artifact to use pain counters.
Paralyzation counter
- Dread Wight from Ice Age is the first creature to use paralyzation counters.
Petal counter
- Lotus Blossom from Urza's Saga is the first artifact to produce petal counters.
Petrification counter
- Xathrid Gorgon from Magic 2013 is the first creature to produce petrification counters.
Phylactery counter
- Phylactery Lich from Magic 2010 is the first creature to produce phylactery counters.
Pin counter
- Originally, Voodoo Doll from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use pin counters. It is the first artifact to use pin counters.
Plague counter
- Traveling Plague from Odyssey is the first enchantment to use plague counters. It produces plague counters automatically at the beginning of your upkeep.
- Withering Hex from Onslaught produces plague counters whenever a player cycles a card.
- Plague Boiler from Ravnica: City of Guilds is the first artifact that produces plague counters. It produces plague counters automatically at the beginning of your upkeep.
Poison counter
A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.
Polyp counter
- Coral Reef from Homelands is the first enchantment to use polyp counters. It also produces +0/+1 counters.
Pressure counter
- Magma Mine from Visions is the first artifact to use pressure counters.
- Hellion Crucible from Magic 2013 is the first land to use pressure counters.
Pupa counter
- Originally, Cocoon from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use pupa counters. Pupa by definition is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation.
Quest counter
Quest counter are used for the Quests printed in Zendikar and Worldwake
Rust counter
- Corrosion from Visions is the first enchantment to use rust counters. It also uses age counters because it has cumulative upkeep.
Scream counter
- Originally, All Hallow's Eve from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use scream counters. It is the first sorcery to use scream counters. The card's ability is very much like Suspend.
- Endless Scream from Tempest is the first Aura enchantment to use scream counters.
Shell counter
- Roc Hatchling from Weatherlight is the first creature to use shell counters.
Shield counter
- Palliation Accord from Dissension is the first enchantment to use shield counters.
Shred counter
- Cephalid Vandal from Torment is the first creature to use shred counters.
Sleep counter
- Originally, Venarian Gold from Legends used counters. It was given errata to use sleep counters.
Sleight counter
- Chromatic Armor from Ice Age is the first enchantment aura to use sleight counters.
Slime counter
- Gutter Grime from Innistrad is the first enchantment to produce slime counters.
Soot counter
- Smokestack from Urza's Saga is the first artifact to produce soot counters.
Spore counter
Spore counter are used as extra resource to create Saprolings.
Storage counter
Storage counter are exclusive used by storage lands.
Strife counter
- Crescendo of War from Commander is the first enchantment to use strife counters.
Study counter
- Pursuit of Knowledge from Stronghold is the first enchantment to use study counters.
- Grimoire of the Dead from Innistrad is the first artifact to use study counters.
Theft counter
- Night Dealings from Champions of Kamigawa is the first enchantment to use theft counters.
Tide counter
- Homarid from Fallen Empires is the first creature to use tide counters.
- Tidal Influence from Fallen Empires is the first enchantment to use tide counters.
Time counter
Time counters are used to track upkeep. The cards which produce these counters are listed here.
Tower counter
- Helix Pinnacle from Eventide is the first enchantment to use tower counters.
Training counter
- Sensei Golden-Tail from Champions of Kamigawa is the first creature to use training counters.
Trap counter
- Trap Digger from Scourge is the first creature to use trap counters.
Treasure counter
- Legacy's Allure from Tempest is the first enchantment to use treasure counters.
Velocity counter
- Tornado from Alliances is the first enchantment to use velocity counters. It also uses age counters because it has cumulative upkeep.
Verse counter
Almost all Verse counters are used to track upkeep.
Vitality counter
- Originally, Living Artifact from Alpha used just counters. It was given errata to call them Vitality counters. It is the first enchantment aura to use vitality counters.
Volatile counter
Volatile counters were never released. They were put on permanents. If the permanent went out of the battlefield, then the counter triggered and did 2 damage to a target opponent.
Wage counter
- Rogue Skycaptain from Alliances is the first creature to use wage counters.
Winch counter
- Mercadian Lift from Mercadian Masques is the first artifact to use winch counters.
Wind counter
- Originally, Cyclone from Arabian Nights used chips. It was given errata to call them wind counters. It is the first enchantment to use wind counters.
- Freyalise's Winds from Ice Age
Wish counter
- Djinn of Wishes from Magic 2010 is the first creature to use wish counters.
- Ring of Three Wishes from Magic 2014 is the first artifact to use wish counters.