Together Forever — ruling 1

Together Forever's activated ability checks whether the target creature has a counter on it as the ability is activated and as the ability resolves. If the creature loses its counters later in the turn, the delayed triggered ability will still return it to its owner's hand when it dies.

Together Forever — ruling 2

Support can target a creature another player controls.

Together Forever — ruling 3

You can't put more than one +1/+1 counter on any one target using the support action.

Together Forever — ruling 4

If some, but not all, targets for a spell become illegal, the remaining targets are affected as appropriate. If all of a spell's targets become illegal, that spell doesn't resolve.

Together Forever — ruling 5

If a spell with support has other abilities that target creatures, those abilities and the support ability can target the same creature.

Together Forever — ruling 6

If a creature without counters receives enough -1/-1 counters to reduce its toughness to 0 or less, Together Forever's ability can't be activated before state-based actions put that creature into its owner's graveyard.

Together Forever : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Together Forever is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

When this enchantment enters, support 2. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two target creatures.) : Choose target creature with a counter on it. When that creature dies this turn, return that card to its owner's hand.

Complete guide

Together Forever is a versatile enchantment that helps your creatures grow while providing a safety net against removal. By combining the support mechanic with a powerful recursion ability, this card ensures your board presence remains resilient throughout the game.

What It Does

When Together Forever enters the battlefield, you perform the support 2 action, placing a +1/+1 counter on up to two target creatures. Its second ability allows you to pay one mana to target a creature that already has a counter on it. This creates a delayed triggered ability: if that creature dies during the current turn, it returns to your hand instead of staying in the graveyard.

Resolving the Ability Step by Step

First, you must choose a target creature that currently has at least one counter on it (of any type, not just +1/+1 counters) and pay the {1} activation cost. As the ability resolves, it checks again if the creature has a counter; if it does, the 'shield' is applied. If the creature later loses its counters but dies within the same turn, the ability still triggers and returns the card to your hand. Note that if a creature's toughness reaches 0 due to -1/-1 counters while it has no other counters, it dies before you have the chance to activate this ability.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to support the same creature twice; the support action requires two different targets if you want to place two counters. Additionally, players often forget that the activated ability only targets creatures that currently have counters. You cannot activate it on a 'naked' creature in anticipation of a counter being placed later; the counter must be present at the moment of activation and resolution.

When to Play It

Together Forever is most effective in decks that utilize +1/+1 counters as a core strategy. It serves as excellent insurance against board wipes or targeted removal. By leaving a few mana open, you can effectively 'save' your most important creatures, allowing you to cast them again on your next turn and trigger their 'enters the battlefield' abilities once more.

Interaction examples

Defensive Synergy

Ghostly Prison

While Ghostly Prison discourages your opponents from attacking, Together Forever ensures that any creatures you use to block can be returned to your hand if they perish in combat. You can support your blockers when the enchantment enters, then use the activated ability on a blocked creature to ensure it returns to your hand after it deals and receives combat damage.

Countering Aggression

Authority of the Consuls

Authority of the Consuls slows down your opponent's offense by making their creatures enter tapped. You can use this extra time to build up your own forces. If an opponent uses a spell to destroy one of your creatures that was boosted by Together Forever's support ability, you can respond by paying {1} to ensure that creature returns to your hand, maintaining your long-term card advantage.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Together Forever

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 8, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Together Forever's activated ability checks whether the target creature has a counter on it as the ability is activated and as the ability resolves. If the creature loses its counters later in the turn, the delayed triggered ability will still return it to its owner's hand when it dies.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 8, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Support can target a creature another player controls.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 8, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
You can't put more than one +1/+1 counter on any one target using the support action.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 8, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If some, but not all, targets for a spell become illegal, the remaining targets are affected as appropriate. If all of a spell's targets become illegal, that spell doesn't resolve.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 8, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell with support has other abilities that target creatures, those abilities and the support ability can target the same creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 8, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature without counters receives enough -1/-1 counters to reduce its toughness to 0 or less, Together Forever's ability can't be activated before state-based actions put that creature into its owner's graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.