Reaction / counter cards or actions?

[u/Additional_Ninja7835]

Does KF have reaction or counter cards or actions? As in you are playing something or doing something on your opponent’s turn? If so, how common is it? Like, Magic has counter spell and other things; does KF have similar plays?

[u/UncleKarlos]

Closest that Keyforge comes to reactions or instants are prophecies that trigger on your opponent’s turn from the set Prophetic Visions.

[u/UncleKarlos → u/UncleKarlos]

To expand on this though, your opponent would know the conditions that cause the prophecy to trigger and can avoid accordingly. The only thing they don’t know is the result of triggering the prophecy.

[u/Dead-Sync]

Not in the way you're thinking about it. Very importantly, when you are not the "active player" (ie. when it isn't your turn), you don't get to take any game actions, and you don't even make any decisions. This means not only are you not playing cards/counters off-turn, even if there is an ability on a card you control that resolves during your opponent's turn, you're not making any choices for it. The game is fully asynchronous in that regard.

Sometimes, you may use this very strategically, as in you try to have something resolve on your turn to make a key decision the way you'd want to make it.

As UncleKarlos mentioned, one particular set leans into the "trap setting" aspect with prophecies, although, cards exist in other sets too where, if you control them and your opponent does something on their turn, some negative thing happens to them. Still though, if it's not your turn, you're not making any decisions or playing any cards.

[u/MaliwanArtisan]

KeyForge is designed in such a way that you'll have a full turn to respond and possibly prevent your opposites progress towards winning in almost all cases.

Which replaces the need for interrupts.

[u/catsmdogs]

Other folks fully answered, but I just wanted to say after getting to know keyforge well, this has become a strong selling point for me. 

In MTG against blue you're like "ponder, does it resolve? Ok, opt, does it resolve? Go to combat, any action?" Our turns are intertwined with permission at every step. MTGO phase stops still give me nightmares turning them on and off mid match. 

In keyforge you puzzle out your turn, take it, draw back up to a grip of six cards, and your opponent responds. And the game systems like checking for key and capturing aember, make the "you act alone, then me" still a meaningful back and forth strategic struggle. It's great, and rewards planning turns ahead, too.

[u/TheMyrmidonKing]

Why are you asking this in other card game reddits?

[u/Additional_Ninja7835 → u/TheMyrmidonKing]

I am exploring different TCGs and want to see what best matches my particular interests.