What are oil counters in MTG?
Oil counters are a unique game mechanic in Magic The Gathering that were introduced in the set named 'The Brothers' War'. They're not found in the core game or most sets but specifically relate to that storyline and its cards. In essence, they're used to track certain effects or abilities that a card can accumulate over time. Think of them as markers that denote something has been 'oiled up' and is either ready to unleash havoc or power up an ability. Just like +1/+1 counters make creatures stronger, oil counters have specific interactions depending on the card they’re associated with.
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Simply put, oil counters in MTG are markers used on cards to indicate a buildup of a specific resource or effect. Each counter's effect varies by card, so always read the fine print!
Honestly, unless you're diving deep into 'The Brothers' War' set, oil counters might not matter much. They're set-specific and don't appear outside of it, so if you're not playing with cards from that set, you might never encounter them.
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