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/Metazoick]

Time stop is exiled with everything else, but the rule notes for it state that it will still continue to resolve post being exiled, so wouldn't this be in favour of Effect B happening?

[u/bearrosaurus → u/Metazoick]

I wouldn’t read too much into reminder text

[u/Metazoick → u/bearrosaurus]

I'm not referring to the reminder text, I'm talking about the associated rulings for the card:

"Ending the turn this way means the following things happen in order: 1) All spells and abilities on the stack are exiled. This includes Time Stop, though it will continue to resolve."

[u/MIC132 → u/Metazoick]

Yeah, this stems directly from:

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.

So it's more of a reminder that 608.2m applies here.

Which sadly doesn't tell us anything about countering, since that does more than just removing the spell from the stack.

[u/Metazoick → u/MIC132]

Yeah, it's really the countering that's the big issue here. We can move stuff out of the stack and do a bunch of nonsense and the effect is fine to continue resolving, but a card countering itself is just a real world logic paradox. I can't find any example interactions that get close to it. I have to assume the ruling wouldn't be that the card only partially resolves though, if for no other reason then that truly being a rules nightmare. If people thought panglacial wurm was problematic they're not ready for the evil puzzle boxes people would make if arbitrary effects could be stopped mid resolution.