A counter is a

gameplay Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and pl ...

mechanic used in

collectible card game A collectible card game (CCG), also called a trading card game (TCG) among other names, is a type of card game that mixes strategy game, strategic deck building elements with features of trading cards, introduced with ''Magic: The Gathering'' in ...

s (CCG) that physically represents an effect generated by a card. It is represented by any number of small objects, usually glass beads, coins, dice, or

bingo Bingo or B-I-N-G-O may refer to: Arts and entertainment Gaming * Bingo, a game using a printed card of numbers ** Bingo (British version), a game using a printed card of 15 numbers on three lines; most commonly played in the UK and Ireland ** Bi ...

chips. They are typically placed on the card generating the counter. This effect may be a count tally for keeping track of things like monitoring a life total, hit points, or a status of a card. These counters should not be confused with effects that negate or stop a card or effect from being played, in other words a ''counteractive'' card.

Types of counters

*Creature counter - also known as token creatures that are generated by cards. *Time counter - a starting amount of counters is placed on a card. One counter is removed at designated intervals, usually during the player's turn. An effect takes place when the final counter is removed. *Accumulative counter - when enough counters have been accumulated an effect occurs. The required number of counters is usually removed, with some cards continuing to accumulate counters. *Life counter - a counter used to represent the life total of a player *Status counter - a counter used to designate a status of a card, or some other game attribute

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Counter (Collectible Card Games) Collectible card games Digital collectible card games