Can a Board Wipe Destroy Hexproof? The Definitive Guide
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Yes, absolutely! A board wipe can indeed destroy creatures with Hexproof, but with a crucial caveat: the board wipe must not target the creatures or players. Hexproof provides protection from targeted spells and abilities controlled by opponents, but it’s powerless against effects that affect the entire board without singling out specific permanents or players. Let’s delve deeper into this and related mechanics in Magic: The Gathering (MTG).
Understanding Hexproof and its Limitations
Hexproof is a powerful ability that grants a permanent or player immunity from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by your opponents. This means your opponents can’t use targeted removal spells like “Murder” or targeted burn spells like “Lightning Bolt” directly on your Hexproof creature. However, Hexproof does not protect against:
- Board Wipes: Spells that affect all creatures, artifacts, enchantments, or lands without targeting.
- Sacrifice Effects: Abilities that force you to sacrifice a creature.
- Non-Targeted Removal: Spells that destroy creatures based on a condition, rather than targeting them.
- Graveyard and Library Interactions: Spells that interact with the card in the graveyard or library.
Think of Hexproof as a shield against direct attacks. It stops the pinpoint strikes, but it crumbles before the overwhelming force of a non-targeted catastrophe.
How Board Wipes Bypass Hexproof
Board wipes function by affecting all eligible permanents on the battlefield simultaneously, without targeting. Spells like “Wrath of God” or “Supreme Verdict” simply state, “Destroy all creatures.” Because they don’t single out any specific creature, Hexproof provides no protection. Similarly, effects that grant -X/-X to all creatures, like “Toxic Deluge,” can also destroy Hexproof creatures by reducing their toughness to zero or less.
The Nuances of Targeting
It’s essential to understand the concept of targeting in MTG. A spell or ability targets if it explicitly uses the word “target” in its text, or if it implies targeting by requiring you to choose a specific permanent or player. If a spell doesn’t target, it will affect all eligible objects regardless of Hexproof.
Common Board Wipes That Circumvent Hexproof
Here are some examples of board wipes that successfully destroy Hexproof creatures:
- Wrath of God: “Destroy all creatures. They can’t be regenerated.”
- Supreme Verdict: “Destroy all creatures. They can’t be regenerated. This spell can’t be countered.”
- Damnation: “Destroy all creatures.”
- Toxic Deluge: “As an additional cost to cast this spell, pay X life. All creatures get -X/-X until end of turn.”
- Blasphemous Act: “Blasphemous Act deals 13 damage to each creature.”
FAQs: Hexproof and Board Wipes
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Hexproof and board wipes:
1. Granting hexproof to a permanent or player doesn’t cause opponents’ Auras to become unattached, right?
That’s correct. Granting hexproof does not cause Auras controlled by opponents to become unattached. The Auras remain attached, but the opponent can’t target the permanent with new spells or abilities.
2. What can destroy Hexproof?
Hexproof itself isn’t destroyed, but its benefits can be bypassed by non-targeting effects like board wipes, sacrifice effects, and spells that exile.
3. Does a board wipe get around protection from [color]?
Yes. Protection from [color] prevents damage, targeting, and being blocked by sources of that color, but it does not prevent non-targeting effects like board wipes.
4. Does board wipe kill indestructible?
It depends on the board wipe. Board wipes that destroy or deal damage do not affect indestructible, but board wipes that exile or give -X/-X can still remove indestructible creatures if their toughness becomes zero or less.
5. Do board wipes target?
Most board wipes do not target. They affect all eligible permanents on the battlefield simultaneously. Some board wipes may target players to have them sacrifice creatures, which then could indirectly remove a hexproof creature.
6. What IS Hexproof, in simple terms?
Hexproof is an ability that makes a creature or player immune to targeted spells and abilities controlled by your opponents.
7. What Does Hexproof Not Protect Against?
Hexproof does not protect against board wipes, sacrifice effects, spells that exile, or spells that interact with the graveyard or library.
8. How many board wipes should I run in my deck?
The optimal number of board wipes varies depending on your deck archetype and the meta you’re playing in. 3-4 board wipes is a good starting point, but some decks may require more or fewer.
9. Does Deathtouch beat indestructible?
No, Deathtouch does not beat indestructible. Indestructible creatures are not destroyed by damage, even damage from a creature with Deathtouch.
10. Do board wipes kill Planeswalkers?
Some board wipes specifically target creatures, while others might affect Planeswalkers as well, especially those that deal damage to all creatures and players. Some board wipes that affect creatures can also affect planeswalkers.
11. Does phasing protect from board wipes?
Yes, phasing can protect permanents from board wipes. A phased-out permanent is treated as though it doesn’t exist, so it won’t be affected by the board wipe.
12. Do shield counters work against board wipes?
Shield counters protect against destruction effects, including some board wipes that specifically destroy creatures. However, they do not protect against exile effects or sacrifice effects.
13. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch?
No, Hexproof does not stop Deathtouch. Deathtouch is an ability that causes damage to be lethal, but it doesn’t target the creature dealing the damage.
14. Which is better, Hexproof or indestructible?
Neither Hexproof nor indestructible is inherently “better.” They offer different types of protection. Hexproof protects against targeting, while indestructible protects against destruction by damage and “destroy” effects. The better choice depends on the specific threats you expect to face.
15. Does shroud protect from board wipes?
Yes, shroud works the same as Hexproof in that it protects creatures from targeted removal spells. However, board wipes and any other spells that don’t target will affect creatures with shroud.
Mastering Board Wipes Against Hexproof: Strategy is Key
Understanding the interaction between Hexproof and board wipes is crucial for effective deck building and gameplay. By including non-targeting removal spells in your arsenal, you can effectively answer Hexproof threats and maintain control of the board. Remember that Magic: The Gathering is a complex game with many intricacies. The more you learn about these interactions, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions and outmaneuver your opponents.
For more information on game strategy and learning through games, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Games can be a great source of leaning.