Can I Block with Protection from Everything?
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Yes, you can block with a creature that has protection from everything. Protection only prevents the creature from being damaged, enchanted/equipped, blocked, or targeted by things it has protection from. Since the creature has protection from everything, that would normally include things that can damage it. The attacker can still block, but all of the attacker’s damage to your creature with protection from everything is prevented.
Understanding Protection: The Ultimate Defense
Protection is a powerful ability in games. It essentially creates a shield around a card, making it immune to certain effects from specified sources. While the most common form of protection is “protection from [color],” the ultimate iteration is “protection from everything.” Understanding the nuances of this ability is crucial for strategizing and maximizing your gameplay.
The DEBT Acronym: Decoding Protection
To remember what protection actually does, use the handy acronym DEBT. Protection prevents:
- Damage: Damage from the specified source is prevented.
- Enchanting/Equipping: Auras and Equipment of the specified type cannot be attached to the protected permanent.
- Blocking: The protected creature cannot be blocked by creatures of the specified type.
- Targeting: Spells and abilities of the specified type cannot target the protected permanent.
Protection from Everything: A Complete Shield
“Protection from everything” applies the DEBT rules to all objects, regardless of their characteristics. This makes the protected permanent incredibly resilient, though not invincible.
Blocking with Protection from Everything: A Detailed Look
Blocking happens as normal, but all the damage dealt by the attacking creature to your creature is prevented thanks to the protection from everything. The attacking creature still becomes blocked. Protection doesn’t stop a creature from blocking. It simply negates the detrimental effects that the source of the protection would normally inflict. Protection does not inherently force a creature to block. Players can still make decisions on whether or not to block with the creature.
Protection’s Limitations: What it Doesn’t Do
It’s important to understand what protection doesn’t do. It’s not a panacea that makes a permanent completely untouchable.
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Non-Targeted Effects: Protection only prevents effects that target the protected permanent. Area-of-effect spells or abilities that don’t target are unaffected.
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Paying Costs: Protection doesn’t prevent you from paying costs associated with a card or ability, even if the cost involves a card or ability from which the permanent has protection.
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Sacrificing: Protection won’t prevent you from sacrificing a permanent, if that is the trigger.
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Board Wipes: Most board wipe cards do not target so protection does not work in these situations.
FAQs: Mastering the Nuances of Protection
1. Can a creature with protection from a color block a creature of that color?
Yes. A creature with protection from a color can block a creature of that color. Protection only prevents damage, enchanting/equipping, blocking, and targeting by things of that color. The blocking creature is not blocked by the other creature, it is blocking it. All damage dealt by that creature is then prevented.
2. Does protection from everything stop board wipes?
Generally, no. Most board wipes don’t target, so protection provides no defense. However, if a board wipe does target, protection from everything will protect the permanent. For example, a spell that said “Destroy all creatures, then destroy target creature” the creature with protection from everything cannot be targeted with the second part of the spell.
3. Does protection from everything stop all damage?
Protection from everything prevents all damage from sources, not all types of damage. Damage from spells, creatures, or other permanents would be negated.
4. Can a creature with protection from red be enchanted by a blue aura?
Yes. Protection from red only prevents enchanting by red auras or equipment. A blue aura can be attached normally.
5. If I have protection from creatures, can I still be attacked?
Yes. Protection from creatures only prevents damage, enchanting/equipping, blocking, and targeting by creatures. The ability doesn’t stop you from being attacked.
6. Does protection from everything prevent life loss?
It depends. If the life loss is caused by a spell or ability that targets you, then yes, protection will prevent it. However, if the life loss is a cost you’re paying (such as sacrificing a creature to activate an ability), then protection doesn’t apply.
7. Can my opponent sacrifice a creature with protection from a color?
Yes. Protection doesn’t prevent you from sacrificing your own creatures, even if they have protection from a color.
8. Does protection from everything protect me from discarding cards?
No, protection does not apply in this case. Discarding a card is not the same as targeting, enchanting, blocking, equipping, or dealing damage.
9. If I have protection from artifacts, can my opponent tap an artifact to activate an ability that targets me?
No. Protection from artifacts means you cannot be targeted by artifact abilities.
10. If a permanent has protection from everything, can it still be exiled?
Yes. Exiling doesn’t inherently target, damage, enchant, equip, or block. If the effect specifically targets and exiles then it cannot be exiled if it has protection from everything.
11. Can a creature with protection from creatures block a creature?
Yes. Blocking falls under the normal parameters with all damage being prevented from the attacking creature
12. Does protection from everything prevent me from drawing cards if a spell forces me to?
No. Forced drawing doesn’t target, deal damage, enchant/equip, or block. Protection does not apply.
13. If I have protection from enchantments, can I still activate abilities that cost me life if the enchantment is causing me to lose life each turn?
Yes. Activating abilities and paying costs are not part of the protection parameters. The triggered ability from the enchantment will still resolve each turn.
14. Does protection from everything work against triggered abilities?
Protection from everything does not stop triggered abilities as long as those abilities do not target, deal damage, enchant/equip, or block.
15. Why is understanding protection important?
Understanding the intricacies of protection is crucial for strategic gameplay. It allows you to properly defend your permanents, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and build decks that are resilient to various threats. It also allows you to capitalize on the limitations of protection, finding ways to circumvent it and gain an advantage.
Further Exploration
For more in-depth analysis of card mechanics and game theory, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society, a valuable resource for game enthusiasts. Visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org to discover a wealth of information.
Understanding the intricacies of abilities like protection and building your own defenses can add another layer of strategy and tactics to your enjoyment. Good luck!