Can Boros Charm Target Planeswalkers? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Boros Charm can target a planeswalker if you choose the mode that deals 4 damage to target player or planeswalker. The card explicitly states this capability, making it a versatile and valuable spell in various Magic: The Gathering (MTG) formats. Boros Charm, a multicolored Red/White instant from the Commander 2016 set, offers three distinct abilities: dealing 4 damage, granting permanents indestructible until end of turn, or granting a creature double strike until end of turn. Its flexibility is what makes it such a powerful card.
Understanding Targeting Rules in Magic: The Gathering
Targeting in MTG can sometimes feel like navigating a labyrinth, but understanding the core principles simplifies the process. A spell or ability can only target what it explicitly states it can target. For example, a spell that says “target creature” cannot target a player, and vice versa.
However, there’s a crucial nuance regarding spells that deal damage to players: redirecting damage. If a spell deals damage to a player, that player can redirect that damage to a planeswalker they control. Boros Charm bypasses this redirection mechanic by allowing you to directly target the Planeswalker. It makes it very simple and direct.
Direct Targeting vs. Redirection
Many older burn spells only targeted players. This necessitated the redirection rule to affect planeswalkers. Spells like Lightning Bolt can now directly target planeswalkers, streamlining the process. Boros Charm falls into this more modern category, offering a more direct approach.
Boros Charm: A Versatile Tool
Boros Charm’s versatility extends beyond its damage-dealing mode. The other two modes—indestructible and double strike—provide crucial utility in various situations. Granting indestructible to your permanents can protect against board wipes or targeted removal, while granting double strike to a creature can result in lethal damage in combat.
This adaptability makes Boros Charm a staple in many Boros (Red/White) decks, particularly in formats like Commander, where board states are often complex and unpredictable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Targeting Planeswalkers
1. Can Lightning Bolt Target Planeswalkers?
Yes, Lightning Bolt can directly target planeswalkers. Its text, “Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to any target,” includes any player, creature, or planeswalker that can receive damage. This makes it a direct and efficient removal spell for dealing with troublesome planeswalkers.
2. If a Spell Deals Damage to a Player, Can They Redirect it to a Planeswalker They Control?
Yes, a player can redirect damage dealt to them by a spell or ability to a planeswalker they control. This is a core rule of planeswalker interaction and allows older spells that only target players to still impact planeswalkers. The amount of damage redirected must be equivalent to the damage the player was initially targeted for.
3. Does Deathtouch Affect Planeswalkers?
No, deathtouch does not affect planeswalkers. Deathtouch only applies to creatures. If a creature with deathtouch deals damage to another creature, that creature is destroyed (unless it has indestructible). Since planeswalkers are not creatures, deathtouch has no effect on them.
4. Can a Planeswalker Be Targeted by a Spell That Says “Target Creature”?
No, a planeswalker cannot be targeted by a spell that specifies “target creature.” Spells can only target what their text allows. A spell that targets creatures cannot target players, planeswalkers, or any other non-creature permanent.
5. Does Proliferate Affect Planeswalkers?
Yes, proliferate can affect planeswalkers. Proliferate allows you to add an additional counter to any permanent or player that already has at least one counter. Since planeswalkers are permanents and typically have loyalty counters, proliferate can increase their loyalty.
6. What Happens if a Planeswalker Has Indestructible and Takes Damage?
If a planeswalker has indestructible, it still takes damage, and loyalty counters are removed accordingly. Indestructible prevents the planeswalker from being destroyed, but it does not prevent damage. If the planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is put into the graveyard, as this is a state-based action, not destruction.
7. Can I Flicker a Planeswalker?
Yes, you can flicker a planeswalker, but the specific spell or ability must be able to target a non-creature permanent. Effects that specifically target creatures, like Momentary Blink, cannot target planeswalkers. However, effects like Oath of Teferi can flicker planeswalkers.
8. How Does Trample Interact with Planeswalkers?
Trample allows an attacking creature to deal excess combat damage to the defending player, planeswalker, or battle if it is blocked. If a creature with trample is blocked but still has more power than the blocker’s toughness, the excess damage can be assigned to the player or planeswalker being defended.
9. Can I Attack a Planeswalker Directly?
Yes, during the combat phase, you can declare attacking creatures as attacking a planeswalker controlled by an opponent. When declaring attackers, you choose whether each attacking creature is attacking the player or a planeswalker that player controls.
10. Does Toxic Affect Planeswalkers?
No, toxic does not directly affect planeswalkers. Toxic only causes a player to receive poison counters when a creature with toxic deals combat damage to that player. Damage dealt to a planeswalker by a creature with toxic does not cause the controller of the planeswalker to gain poison counters.
11. Can Two Planeswalkers with the Same Name Be on the Battlefield at the Same Time?
No, the legend rule applies to planeswalkers. If a player controls two or more planeswalkers with the same name (e.g., two Jace planeswalkers), they must choose one to keep and put the others into their owner’s graveyard. This rule is in place to prevent overwhelming board states with multiple versions of the same planeswalker. It applies even if the planeswalkers have different abilities.
12. Can I Sacrifice an Indestructible Planeswalker?
Yes, you can be forced to sacrifice an indestructible planeswalker. Indestructible only prevents destruction, but sacrificing a permanent is not the same as destroying it. Effects that require you to sacrifice a permanent can bypass indestructible.
13. Can Crawlspace Prevent Attacks on Planeswalkers?
No, Crawlspace does not prevent attacks on planeswalkers. Crawlspace restricts the number of creatures that can attack you, the player. Planeswalkers are separate from the player, so creatures can still attack planeswalkers even if Crawlspace is in play.
14. Can Fireball Target Planeswalkers?
While Fireball itself cannot directly target a planeswalker (since it targets a creature or player), you can target the planeswalker’s controller and then redirect the damage to the planeswalker. This allows you to effectively use Fireball to damage or destroy a planeswalker.
15. Where Can I Learn More About Magic: The Gathering Strategy and Rules?
There are numerous resources available to learn more about Magic: The Gathering. Websites like the official Magic: The Gathering website, MTG Wiki, and various community forums offer a wealth of information. Additionally, organizations like the Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) explore the educational and cognitive aspects of gaming, including strategic games like MTG.
By understanding these rules and nuances, you can better navigate the complexities of Magic: The Gathering and make more informed decisions in your gameplay. Boros Charm, with its versatility and direct targeting capability, remains a valuable asset in any Boros player’s arsenal.