Hexproof: Understanding Its Limits in Magic: The Gathering

Hexproof is a powerful ability in Magic: The Gathering, granting a creature or player immunity to being targeted by an opponent’s spells or abilities. However, it’s not an impenetrable shield. Hexproof doesn’t protect against effects that don’t target. This includes board wipes, sacrifice effects, and interactions within the graveyard or library. Essentially, anything that affects multiple permanents or players without specifically singling out the hexproof permanent is a valid counter.

Delving Deeper: What Bypasses Hexproof?

The core concept to grasp is the distinction between targeting and affecting. Hexproof only stops the former. Spells and abilities that affect a broad range of objects, regardless of their individual characteristics, will bypass hexproof entirely.

Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios where hexproof falters:

• Board Wipes: Cards like Wrath of God, Damnation, and Supreme Verdict destroy all creatures on the battlefield. They do not target individual creatures; they simply affect the entire board. Therefore, hexproof provides no protection.

• Sacrifice Effects: These effects force an opponent to sacrifice a permanent, usually a creature. Cards such as Diabolic Edict target the player, not the creature. The player then chooses which creature to sacrifice, rendering hexproof irrelevant.

• Graveyard and Library Manipulation: Effects that target cards in the graveyard or library are also unaffected by hexproof. For instance, if an opponent uses Reanimate to bring back a creature from your graveyard, hexproof on that creature in play is immaterial. Similarly, a card like Extract, which removes a specific card from your library, can target a creature with hexproof in your library, effectively negating its presence.

• -1/-1 Counters: Effects like Black Sun’s Zenith that apply -1/-1 counters to all creatures aren’t hindered by hexproof. If enough counters are applied to reduce a creature’s toughness to zero, it will still die.

• Non-Targeting Exile Effects: Some exile effects, like Farewell, exile multiple types of permanents (including creatures) without targeting. These bypass hexproof entirely.

Hexproof is a valuable asset, but it’s crucial to understand its limitations. Knowing what it doesn’t protect against is just as important as knowing what it does. Effective gameplay in Magic often relies on identifying weaknesses and exploiting them, and hexproof is no exception.

Hexproof: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Hexproof Stop Board Wipes?

No. Board wipes do not target individual creatures. They affect all creatures on the battlefield simultaneously. Hexproof only protects against targeted spells and abilities.

Does Hexproof Block “Destroy All Creatures” Effects?

Yes, cards with “destroy all…” don’t target the permanents they affect, so Hexproof does not protect them from being destroyed.

Does Hexproof Block Deathtouch?

No. Deathtouch doesn’t target. It’s an ability that causes any amount of damage from a source to be lethal. Hexproof only prevents targeting, not the effects of combat damage.

What Beats Deathtouch?

Deathtouch is most effective in combat. Spot removal, mass removal, first strike, double strike, and indestructible are all effective counters. Removing the creature before combat, dealing damage first, or simply negating the damage (with indestructible) can all overcome deathtouch.

Does Hexproof Stop Targeted Abilities?

Yes, that is exactly what Hexproof does! Hexproof prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control.

Which is Better: Hexproof or Indestructible?

It depends on the situation. Indestructible prevents destruction from damage and effects that say “destroy.” However, it’s vulnerable to exile effects and effects that reduce toughness to zero. Hexproof prevents targeting but is useless against board wipes and sacrifice effects. Both abilities have their weaknesses.

What Beats Hexproof?

As previously discussed, non-targeting removal, board wipes, sacrifice effects, and effects that manipulate the graveyard or library can all bypass hexproof.

How Do You Destroy Indestructible Creatures with Hexproof?

You can’t destroy an indestructible creature. However, you can remove it. Sacrifice effects or effects that exile a creature are effective. Reducing its toughness to zero with -1/-1 counters also works.

Does Hexproof Prevent Counterspell?

No. A counterspell targets the spell on the stack, not the creature. The creature only exists on the battlefield after the spell resolves. Hexproof only applies to permanents on the battlefield.

Do Board Wipes Affect Indestructible Creatures?

It depends on the board wipe. A board wipe that destroys creatures will not affect indestructible creatures. However, a board wipe that exiles or gives -X/-X to creatures will affect them.

Can You Be Attacked if You Have Hexproof?

Hexproof on a creature does not prevent it from being attacked. Hexproof on a player prevents you from being targeted by spells or abilities. However, it doesn’t stop creatures from attacking you.

Do Enchantments Fall Off if You Give a Creature Hexproof?

No. Hexproof does not cause enchantments (auras) to fall off of a creature. It only prevents the object from being targeted, which enchantments don’t do once they are on the field (enchanting on its own doesn’t target).

Can You Enchant Your Own Creature if It Has Hexproof?

Yes. You can enchant your own creature with hexproof because you are not an opponent. Only your opponent’s enchantments are prohibited.

How Do I Get Rid of Indestructible Creatures?

You can’t destroy them, but you can:

• Exile them.
• Reduce their toughness to 0.
• Make your opponent sacrifice them.
• Counter them (before they enter the battlefield).
• Enchant them (with a negative aura).
• Discard them (from your opponent’s hand).
• Send them to your opponent’s library.
• Bounce them back to your opponent’s hand.

Does First Strike Beat Deathtouch?

Yes. A creature with first strike will deal damage before a creature with deathtouch. If the first strike creature deals lethal damage to the deathtouch creature, the deathtouch creature will die before it can deal its damage.

As a seasoned expert, I hope this comprehensive guide has clarified the nuances of hexproof and its limitations. Remember that understanding these interactions is crucial for effective deck building and gameplay. To further enhance your understanding of game mechanics and strategy, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society, where the intersection of games and education is explored in depth. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.