Planeswalkers in Peril: Untangling the Targeting Rules in Magic: The Gathering

Yes, a planeswalker can be a target, but it depends on the spell or ability. Planeswalkers are a unique permanent type in Magic: The Gathering, and the rules surrounding their interaction with spells and abilities can be a bit complex. Understanding how targeting works is crucial for any player looking to master the intricacies of the game. Let’s dive into the nuances of planeswalker targeting!

Planeswalkers: Targets or Just Casualties?

The key to understanding whether a planeswalker can be targeted lies in the specific wording of the spell or ability in question. Here’s a breakdown:

• Direct Targeting: Some spells and abilities explicitly state they can target planeswalkers. For example, a card might read “Destroy target creature or planeswalker.” In this case, the planeswalker is a valid target.

• Redirection: Many older burn spells target players. However, you can redirect the damage dealt to a player to a planeswalker they control. This means you technically target the player, but the planeswalker ultimately suffers the consequences. This redirection happens as the spell resolves.

• Attacking: Creatures can attack planeswalkers directly. During the declare attackers step, you can choose to attack a planeswalker controlled by an opponent instead of attacking the opponent themselves.

• “Any Target” Clauses: Some cards use the wording “any target.” This generally includes players, creatures, and planeswalkers that can receive damage. Unless a specific card effect prevents it, these spells can target planeswalkers.

Planeswalkers: What They Are and Aren’t

To fully grasp the targeting rules, it’s essential to understand what planeswalkers are and aren’t:

• Permanents: Planeswalkers are permanents. This means they stay on the battlefield unless removed by a spell or ability.

• Not Creatures: Despite being permanents, planeswalkers are not creatures. Therefore, spells that target only creatures cannot target planeswalkers unless explicitly stated otherwise.

• Not Players: Planeswalkers are not players. Spells that target only players cannot directly target planeswalkers. This is where redirection becomes important.

• Loyalty Counters: Planeswalkers enter the battlefield with a specific number of loyalty counters. Activating their abilities adds or removes these counters. If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard. Damage dealt to a planeswalker also removes loyalty counters.

Understanding Redirection: A Critical Concept

Redirection is a crucial mechanic for interacting with planeswalkers. Here’s how it works:

1. Target a Player: You cast a spell that deals damage to a player.

2. Resolution: As the spell resolves, you have the option to redirect the damage from the player to a planeswalker they control.

3. Damage Application: The damage is then dealt to the planeswalker, removing a corresponding number of loyalty counters.

Example: You cast Lightning Bolt, which says, “Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to any target”. You choose an opposing planeswalker as the target.

Important Note: Redirection only applies to spells and abilities that initially target a player. You can’t redirect damage from a spell that targets creatures to a planeswalker, or vice versa.

Deathtouch and Indestructible: Edge Cases

• Deathtouch: Deathtouch only applies to creatures. If a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a planeswalker, it will remove the corresponding number of loyalty counters, but it doesn’t instantly destroy the planeswalker. You will need Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence to let deathtouch apply to planeswalkers.

• Indestructible: Giving a planeswalker indestructible prevents it from being destroyed by effects that say “destroy.” However, it doesn’t prevent loyalty counters from being removed due to damage, and it doesn’t prevent the planeswalker from being put into the graveyard when its loyalty reaches zero.

Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule (Historical Note)

It’s worth mentioning the “planeswalker uniqueness rule,” which was changed some time ago. Previously, if a player controlled two planeswalkers with the same planeswalker type (e.g., two Jaces), they had to choose one to keep and put the other into the graveyard. This rule has been replaced with the legend rule, which applies to legendary permanents (including legendary planeswalkers). Now, the legend rule works identically for both legendary creatures and legendary planeswalkers.

Learning More About Magic’s Rules

Magic: The Gathering is a game with a rich and intricate ruleset. To improve your understanding of the game, consider checking out resources from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Understanding the game mechanics can give you a competitive edge and add depth to your gameplay. You may also check out GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to targeting planeswalkers, based on the provided source material:

1. Can I target a planeswalker with Lightning Bolt?

Yes, you can target planeswalkers with Lightning Bolt. It deals damage to any target and that includes a planeswalker.

2. Can I target a planeswalker with a burn spell like Lightning Strike?

A burn spell like Lightning Strike (“…deals 3 damage to target creature or player”) can only target a player. You may end up redirecting the damage, effectively using it on their planeswalker, but you still have to target your opponent.

3. Does Deathtouch affect planeswalkers?

No, deathtouch is a static ability that applies to creatures. It doesn’t instantly destroy planeswalkers that are dealt damage by a creature with deathtouch.

4. Can Lava Spike target a planeswalker?

Lava Spike officially can target players or planeswalkers.

5. Can you Negate a planeswalker?

You can use Negate against spells, including planeswalkers.

6. Can you flicker planeswalkers?

Yes, planeswalkers can be blinked by any effect that doesn’t specifically exclude them.

7. Can you Shock planeswalkers?

Yes, you could damage them with a Shock as it says creature or player.

8. Do planeswalkers have summoning sickness?

No, planeswalkers do not have summoning sickness. You may activate a planeswalker’s loyalty abilities on the same turn you play it.

9. Can a planeswalker have 0 loyalty?

A planeswalker with loyalty 0 is put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based effect.

10. Can you target a planeswalker commander?

A commander planeswalker works exactly like a legendary creature as your general would, except that it can be attacked by creatures.

11. Can a planeswalker emblem be destroyed?

Emblems can’t be destroyed, as the “destroy” keyword only applies to permanents, and emblems are not permanents.

12. Can you Fireball a planeswalker?

You can’t target the planeswalker itself, since Fireball targets a creature or player and a planeswalker is neither. However, what you can do is target the planeswalker’s controller, then redirect the damage to the planeswalker when Fireball resolves.

13. 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.

14. Does Earthquake hit planeswalkers?

Unfortunately, this can’t hit planeswalkers. You can only transfer damage to a planeswalker if you’re targeting a player with it; any damage that says “each player” can’t do anything to a PW.

15. Are Planeswalkers considered opponents?

No, because Planeswalkers are not considered opponents. Opponents are players only. If the card read “any number of targets” then you could choose to deal damage to a Planeswalker.

Conclusion: Mastering the Target

Understanding the targeting rules for planeswalkers is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering. Keep in mind the difference between direct targeting, redirection, and the interaction between planeswalkers and other game elements like deathtouch and indestructible. With a solid grasp of these rules, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the game and protect (or eliminate) those powerful planeswalkers!