Does Hexproof Stop Sacrifice? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is no, Hexproof does not stop sacrifice. Hexproof only protects a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. Sacrifice effects, on the other hand, typically don’t target the creature being sacrificed. They target the player, forcing them to make the choice to sacrifice a permanent. Because the creature itself isn’t targeted, Hexproof provides no protection against sacrifice effects. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of Hexproof and why it fails against sacrifice.

Understanding Hexproof and Targeting

Hexproof is a crucial keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering. It essentially grants a permanent or player immunity from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. This means your opponent cannot cast spells like “Murder” (destroy target creature) or use abilities like “Lightning Bolt” (deals 3 damage to any target) on a creature with Hexproof. This creates a significant advantage, making the Hexproof creature difficult to remove or interact with directly.

However, the key word here is “target.” Hexproof only prevents targeting. It does not prevent a creature from being affected by other types of spells or abilities, such as those that don’t involve targeting. This is where sacrifice effects come into play.

Why Sacrifice Bypasses Hexproof

Sacrifice effects, often found on cards like “Diabolic Edict” or “Grave Pact,” force a player to sacrifice a creature or permanent. These spells typically target the player, not the creature. For instance, “Diabolic Edict” states: “Target player sacrifices a creature.” The player is the target, and they then choose which creature to sacrifice.

Because the Hexproof creature is not the target, the player is still forced to make a sacrifice. They can choose to sacrifice the Hexproof creature to satisfy the effect. This is a fundamental interaction in Magic: The Gathering, highlighting the importance of understanding how targeting works.

Broad Applications of Hexproof

Hexproof can be powerful, preventing your creatures from being directly removed by spot removal spells. It’s commonly found on creatures designed to be resilient, such as those used in aggressive strategies. It’s also important for protecting key combo pieces that you need to stay on the battlefield.

However, experienced players know how to play around Hexproof. Board wipes (spells that destroy all creatures), sacrifice effects, and abilities that exile creatures without targeting (e.g., “Swords to Plowshares”) are all effective ways to deal with Hexproof creatures. Understanding these limitations is critical to building a well-rounded deck.

Counterplay and Strategy

Recognizing that Hexproof doesn’t stop sacrifice allows you to create strategies to counter your opponent’s Hexproof threats. Include cards like “Chainer’s Edict,” “Pox,” or “Smallpox” in your deck. These spells force sacrifice and can efficiently remove Hexproof creatures.

Moreover, using non-targeted removal like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can eliminate Hexproof creatures without triggering the Hexproof ability. Consider these options when building your deck to ensure you can handle a variety of threats, including those protected by Hexproof.

Learning Resources

To gain a deeper understanding of game mechanics and strategy, resources like the Games Learning Society, available at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, offer invaluable insights. Understanding targeting, Hexproof, and sacrifice mechanics is essential for playing Magic: The Gathering strategically. Explore these types of sources to improve your understanding of the game. GamesLearningSociety.org offers many similar resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hexproof and Sacrifice

Here are 15 frequently asked questions addressing specific scenarios and interactions related to Hexproof and sacrifice:

1. If my opponent casts a spell that says “Each player sacrifices a creature,” does Hexproof protect my creature?

   • No. The spell does not target your creature; it targets each player. You are still required to sacrifice a creature, and you can choose to sacrifice a creature with Hexproof.

2. Can I sacrifice my own creature with Hexproof?

   • Yes. Hexproof only prevents your opponent from targeting the creature. You are free to target your own creature with spells or abilities, or to sacrifice it voluntarily.

3. Does Hexproof prevent me from sacrificing a creature to pay a cost?

   • No. Sacrificing a creature to pay a cost is a voluntary action. Hexproof has no effect on your ability to pay costs.

4. If a card says, “Destroy target creature. Its controller sacrifices another creature,” does Hexproof protect against either part of the effect?

   • Hexproof would protect against the first part of the effect (destroy target creature). However, the second part (“Its controller sacrifices another creature”) would still apply because it targets the player, not the creature with Hexproof.

5. If a spell forces me to sacrifice a creature “at random,” does Hexproof protect against it?

   • No. Random sacrifice effects do not target. The random selection bypasses Hexproof.

6. If my opponent controls a “Grave Pact” enchantment, and my creature has Hexproof, do I still have to sacrifice a creature when my opponent’s creatures enter the battlefield?

   • Yes. “Grave Pact” creates a triggered ability that forces you to sacrifice a creature when your opponent’s creature enters the battlefield. This ability targets you (the player), not your creature with Hexproof.

7. Can I use an aura to make an opponent’s creature gain Hexproof, preventing them from sacrificing it?

   • You could use an aura to give an opponent’s creature Hexproof; however, that does not prevent them from being forced to sacrifice it by an effect that targets the player. They can still choose to sacrifice the creature with Hexproof, as the effect is targeting the player, not the creature. Also, if the aura said “Enchanted creature has hexproof” then the creature can still be targeted by your opponent.

8. If a spell says, “Target player sacrifices a creature or planeswalker,” and I control a creature with Hexproof, can my opponent force me to sacrifice a planeswalker instead?

   • Yes. Your opponent’s spell targets you (the player), and you must choose between sacrificing a creature or a planeswalker. The presence of a creature with Hexproof doesn’t prevent your opponent from targeting you.

9. Does Hexproof prevent a creature from being sacrificed as part of a “board wipe” effect that also includes sacrificing?

   • Board wipes that involve sacrificing (e.g., “Barter in Blood”) bypass Hexproof. The spell targets all players, instructing them to sacrifice. Because the spell doesn’t target specific creatures, Hexproof is ineffective.

10. If I cast a spell that requires me to sacrifice a creature as an additional cost, can I sacrifice a Hexproof creature?

    • Yes. Sacrificing a creature to pay a cost is a voluntary action performed by you. Hexproof only prevents your opponents from targeting your creatures.

11. If my opponent uses a Planeswalker ability that forces me to sacrifice a creature, does Hexproof protect against it?

    • No. Planeswalker abilities are still abilities, and they bypass Hexproof if they target the player, not the creature. If the planeswalker ability targets you and forces you to sacrifice a creature, you can still be forced to sacrifice the creature with Hexproof.

12. If an opponent uses a commander who forces players to sacrifice creatures each turn, does hexproof protect me?

    • No. Similar to triggered abilities and other sacrifice effects, if the commander’s ability targets you (the player) and forces you to sacrifice a creature, hexproof will not protect any of your creatures. You can be forced to sacrifice the creature with Hexproof.

13. If I use a creature’s ability that requires me to sacrifice it as part of the cost, can I use that ability on my Hexproof creature?

    • Yes. You can sacrifice your own Hexproof creature as part of the cost of activating one of its own abilities. Hexproof only protects against opponents targeting your creatures.

14. If I use a card that says “Exile target creature. Its controller sacrifices a land” can Hexproof protect against the land sacrifice?

    • The creature is protected from exile but that player still sacrifices a land, this is due to the spell targeting the creature and the player. The player is still being targeted and can still have to pay the costs.

15. Does Hexproof stop my opponent from saccing my creatures?

    • Hexproof does not prevent your opponent from saccing your creatures if they gain control of them. Your opponent will be able to target your creatures and sacrifice them if they are under your opponent’s control.

Final Thoughts

While Hexproof is a strong defensive ability in Magic: The Gathering, it’s crucial to remember its limitations, particularly concerning sacrifice effects. By understanding how targeting works and employing strategies to play around Hexproof, you can effectively deal with even the most resilient Hexproof threats. Remember that a strong deck relies on diverse answers and awareness of common game mechanics.