Can Lava Spike Target a Planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering?

Yes, Lava Spike can indirectly damage a planeswalker! While Lava Spike itself specifically targets a player, its damage can be redirected to a planeswalker that player controls. This redirection happens as the spell resolves, offering a clever way to use burn spells against these powerful permanents. So, while you can’t directly target a planeswalker with Lava Spike, you can make it suffer the consequences of its fiery wrath. Now, let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of targeting, redirection, and other common questions surrounding planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering.

Understanding Planeswalker Targeting and Damage Redirection

The Nuances of Targeting

The key to understanding whether a spell can affect a planeswalker lies in the card’s wording. Spells that say “target player” cannot directly target a planeswalker. However, many cards, particularly newer ones, explicitly state “target player or planeswalker.” This direct targeting makes it straightforward to deal damage to these powerful permanents.

Redirection: A Strategic Maneuver

The redirection rule provides an alternative route for burn spells like Lava Spike. When a spell you control would deal damage to an opponent, you can choose to redirect that damage to a planeswalker they control instead. This decision is made as the spell resolves, giving you crucial information about the board state before committing to the redirection.

Damage and Loyalty Counters

Damage dealt to a planeswalker results in the removal of that many loyalty counters. A planeswalker with no loyalty counters is immediately put into the graveyard as a state-based action. This interaction is vital for understanding how to effectively remove planeswalkers from the battlefield.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Planeswalkers

FAQ 1: Can Lava Axe Hit a Planeswalker?

No, you cannot directly target a planeswalker with Lava Axe, because it says “Target player”. You can, however, upon resolution of the spell, redirect the damage that would go to that player instead to a planeswalker they control. Only you, the controller of the spell can redirect it; the player that owns the Planeswalker cannot.

FAQ 2: How Do You Damage Planeswalkers Directly?

A planeswalker can be attacked, like a player, or be dealt damage by an opponent redirecting the damage one of their spells would deal to the player controlling the planeswalker. Damage dealt to a planeswalker removes that many loyalty counters, and a planeswalker with no loyalty counters is put into the graveyard. Some spells are printed that specifically say to target “Target player or Planeswalker.”

FAQ 3: What is the Planeswalker “Legend Rule”?

The “legend rule” applies to planeswalkers. If you control two or more planeswalkers with the exact same name, you must choose one to keep, and the rest are put into the graveyard. However, you can have multiple planeswalkers of different names in play at the same time. In addition, you can also have non-legendary copies of a planeswalker.

FAQ 4: Can Searing Blaze Target a Planeswalker?

Yes, Searing Blaze can target a planeswalker. It deals 1 damage to target player or planeswalker and 1 damage to target creature that player or that planeswalker’s controller controls. This makes it a versatile removal spell.

FAQ 5: What Kinds of Spells Can Target Planeswalkers?

Spells that specifically say “target player or planeswalker” can directly target planeswalkers. Additionally, spells that target “any target” can also target planeswalkers, unless a card ability prevents it. Counterspells, like Negate or Dovin’s Veto that counter noncreature spells can target planeswalkers that are spells.

FAQ 6: Can You Flicker a Planeswalker and Use Its Abilities Again?

Yes, you can indeed use a planeswalker’s ability, then flicker it and use its ability again that same turn. Once it leaves play, it stops being the same ‘casting’ of the card, same as if it had gone to the graveyard or been permanently exiled somehow. Each time it enters the battlefield, it is considered a new permanent.

FAQ 7: Can You Have Multiple Planeswalkers in Play Simultaneously?

There’s no limit to the number of planeswalker permanents you can have in play! The only restriction is that you can’t have two copies of the exact same planeswalker card in play due to the “legend rule”.

FAQ 8: What Happens When a Planeswalker Reaches 0 Loyalty?

As soon as a planeswalker has 0 loyalty, it is put into the graveyard as a state-based action with the activated ability on the stack. It isn’t “destroyed;” it simply ceases to exist.

FAQ 9: Can You Control Two Planeswalkers of the Same Type?

Yes, you can freely have two planeswalkers of different names on the battlefield at once. As of the current rules they function precisely the same as all other legendary permanents, the rule that kicks in is the “legend rule”.

FAQ 10: Does Deathtouch Affect Planeswalkers?

Deathtouch is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage of the source with deathtouch to kill any creature it deals damage to (unless that creature is indestructible). This does not apply to planeswalkers, because they are not creatures. You’ll need an additional ability like that of Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence.

FAQ 11: What Happens If a Planeswalker is Indestructible?

Planeswalkers with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed from them as they are dealt damage. If a planeswalker with indestructible has no loyalty counters, it will still be put into its owner’s graveyard, as the rule that does this doesn’t destroy the planeswalker.

FAQ 12: Can Lightning Bolt Target Planeswalkers?

Yes, Lightning Bolt, and other spells with similar wording, can target planeswalkers. “Any target” includes any player, creature or Planeswalker that can receive damage. So yes, a lightning bolt can target Planeswalkers unless there is a card in play that prevents you from doing so.

FAQ 13: Are There Any Non-Legendary Planeswalkers?

No. All planeswalkers have the supertype “legendary” and are subject to the “legend rule”. Planeswalkers with the same subtypes can exist under your control as long as they are not of the same name.

FAQ 14: Can a Legendary Planeswalker Be a Commander?

Some planeswalkers are unique in that they have the line “[CARDNAME] can be your commander,” which is an exception to the rule that your commander must be a legendary creature. Not all legendary planeswalkers can be a commander, only those with that specific text.

FAQ 15: Can You Clone a Planeswalker?

Yes! Cards like Spark Double allows you to clone a planeswalker you control. Spark Double enters the battlefield as a copy of a planeswalker you control, except it enters with an additional loyalty counter on it and it isn’t legendary. This is a powerful way to double your planeswalker advantage.

Mastering Planeswalkers: Strategy and Deeper Understanding

Understanding how to interact with planeswalkers is critical for success in Magic: The Gathering. The ability to redirect damage, clone them with Spark Double, or circumvent them entirely with creative strategies adds a layer of complexity and strategic depth to the game. Whether you’re building a burn deck or controlling the board, knowing the ins and outs of planeswalker interactions will give you a significant edge. If you’re interested in exploring the educational aspects of gaming, including Magic: The Gathering, be sure to check out the resources at the Games Learning Society (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/). GamesLearningSociety.org offers a unique perspective on how games can enhance learning and cognitive skills.

This information should help to inform your decision when playing Magic: The Gathering. Good luck!