Are Planeswalkers Killed by Deathtouch?
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Deathtouch is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage from the source with deathtouch to kill any creature it deals damage to, unless that creature is indestructible, but it does not apply to planeswalkers because they are not creatures. To kill a planeswalker, you would need to use an ability or spell that specifically targets planeswalkers, such as Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence, or deal damage to it directly, which would remove its loyalty counters.
Understanding Deathtouch and Planeswalkers
Deathtouch only affects creatures, making it ineffective against planeswalkers and other non-creature permanents.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Deathtouch?
Deathtouch is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage from the source with deathtouch to kill any creature it deals damage to, unless that creature is indestructible.
2. Can You Lightning Bolt a Planeswalker?
Yes, a lightning bolt can target planeswalkers unless there is a card in play that prevents you from doing so, as lightning bolt can target any player, creature, or planeswalker that can receive damage.
3. Does Deathtouch Trump Indestructible?
No, indestructible creatures also ignore deathtouch, because since indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed, they’re immune to the effects of deathtouch.
4. What is the First Strike Deathtouch Rule?
Creatures with deathtouch deal damage during the regular combat damage step, but if you block a creature with deathtouch with a creature with first strike or double strike, your creature will deal damage during the first strike damage step, before the deathtouch creature can return fire.
5. Does Hexproof Stop Deathtouch?
No, hexproof means the creature can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponent controls, but deathtouch doesn’t target, so hexproof doesn’t prevent it.
6. Do Planeswalkers Suffer from Summoning Sickness?
No, planeswalkers are not affected by summoning sickness because they are not creatures, and thus none of the trappings of creatures matter for planeswalkers, nor do they trigger creature-based effects.
7. Can You Fireball a Planeswalker?
You can’t target the planeswalker itself with fireball, since fireball targets a creature or player and a planeswalker is neither, but you can target the planeswalker’s controller and then redirect the damage to the planeswalker when fireball resolves.
8. Does Deathtouch Kill a Commander?
No, deathtouch only kills creatures, not battles, planeswalkers, or players.
9. Can Planeswalkers be Attacked Directly?
Yes, a planeswalker can be attacked, like a player, or be dealt damage by an opponent redirecting the damage one of his or her spells would deal to the player controlling the planeswalker.
10. How Do You Kill a Planeswalker?
To kill a planeswalker, you would need to deal damage to it directly, which would remove its loyalty counters, and if a planeswalker has no loyalty counters, it is put into its owner’s graveyard.
11. Can You Exile Planeswalkers?
You can exile planeswalkers using instant exile cards, but you have to do it before they use an ability, because once the ability is on the stack, it will resolve even if the planeswalker is removed in response.
12. What Happens When a Planeswalker Hits 0?
If a planeswalker’s loyalty is 0, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard, which is a state-based action.
13. Does Earthquake Damage Planeswalkers?
No, earthquake can’t hit planeswalkers, because you can only transfer damage to a planeswalker if you’re targeting a player with it, and any damage that says “each player” can’t do anything to a planeswalker.
14. Can You Flicker a Planeswalker and Use it Again?
Yes, you can use a planeswalker’s ability, then flicker it and use its ability again that same turn, because once it leaves play, it stops being the same ‘casting’ of the card.
15. Can Lava Spike Hit a Planeswalker?
Yes, lava spike can officially target players or planeswalkers, due to the change allowing planeswalkers to be targets of such spells.