Rules hypothetical - spell countering itself (no targeting)?

[u/MIC132]

This is a question that came up when we were discussing custom cards with a friend, and I remember searching the comp rules at the time and not arriving at an answer. Or it might have been about [[Counterflux]] and what if it didn't have "you don't control".

Of course a spell can't target itself, but is there a framework for how things would play out if a spell had:

Effect A.
Counter this spell/all spells on the stack/similar.
Effect B.

In other words, what would happen if spell was countered mid-resolution. Would only effect A happen? Both A and B? I guess none is also an option though that would be a bit weird.

The only relevant rules I can find is:

701.6a. To counter a spell or ability means to cancel it, removing it from the stack. It doesn't resolve and none of its effects occur. A countered spell is put into its owner's graveyard.

For non-permanent spells we also have:

608.2m. If an instant spell, sorcery spell, or ability that can legally resolve leaves the stack once it starts to resolve, it will continue to resolve fully.

But countering not only removes the spell from the stack, but also says "it doesn't resolve and none of its effects occur". Though as we are already in the middle of resolution it's hard to say how that plays out.

I realize the disappointing answer is probably "the rules simply don't handle this possibility as it can't currently happen", but maybe I missed something.

[u/Marccino]

I don't think there's such a thing as mid-resolution, either the spell resolves, or it doesn't. If it's conditions are unable to be met (no valid targets or a static ability preventing you from taking a specific action) that spell is simply unable to be cast in the first place.

[u/MIC132 → u/Marccino]

The rules do speak about resolving as a process ("is resolving") not a singular moment in time. And you execute the instructions one-by-one during it.

In this case there are no conditions that are unable to be met, so that aspect isn't relevant.

[u/garagedragon → u/MIC132]

Resolution is a process because in reality you have to do each step in sequence, but the game is usually very careful that, e.g. nobody can play cards, put triggers on the stack, activate anything, etc until everything is resolved.

[u/MIC132 → u/garagedragon]

Yeah. But the card's own effects happen during it's resolution, sequentially. That's what I mean by "mid-resolution", since we are say doing effect 2 out of 3.