Can I Target My Own Creature with Shroud?
The answer to the question Can I target my own creature with shroud? is no, as shroud is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent or player from being targeted by any spells or abilities, including those controlled by the player who controls the creature with shroud. This means that if a creature has shroud, its controller cannot target it with their own spells or abilities, making it difficult to target or affect in any way, unlike hexproof which only prevents targeting by opponents.
Understanding Shroud and Its Implications
Shroud is a powerful ability that can significantly impact the game, especially when it comes to creatures with shroud. To better understand how shroud works and its implications, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions related to shroud and its interactions with other Magic: The Gathering mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Shroud in Magic: The Gathering?
Shroud is a static ability that means “This permanent or player can’t be the target of spells or abilities.” This ability is defined in rule 702.18, “Shroud,” and applies to both the player and their permanents.
2. Can You Target a Creature with Shroud in the Graveyard?
Shroud only affects creatures on the battlefield, so a creature with shroud in the graveyard can be targeted by spells or abilities that interact with graveyard cards.
3. How Do You Deal with Creatures with Shroud?
There are several ways to deal with creatures with shroud, including using wrath effects, edict effects, or finding a way to make the creature lose shroud.
4. Can You Soulbond a Creature with Shroud?
Soulbond isn’t a targeted ability, so you can soulbond with a creature that has shroud.
5. Can You Target Your Own Creature?
Yes, you can target your own creature unless the spell or ability specifically states that you can’t, such as “target creature you don’t control.”
6. Can You Target Your Own Creatures with Ward?
Yes, you can target your own MTG Ward creatures with any abilities you like because Ward only stops interactions that target the creature from opponents.
7. What Counts as Targeting in Magic?
An instant or sorcery spell is targeted if its spell ability identifies something it will affect by using the phrase “target [something],” where the “something” describes an object and/or player.
8. Can You Exile a Creature with Shroud?
Shroud will stop Path to Exile from targeting the creature with shroud, but Damnation and Wrath of God don’t target and thus can affect creatures with shroud.
9. Is Shroud Better Than Hexproof MTG?
Hexproof is generally considered better because shroud prevents you from targeting your own creatures, while hexproof only prevents opponents from targeting your creatures.
10. Are Shroud and Hexproof the Same?
No, hexproof means “This object can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control,” whereas shroud means “This object can’t be the target of spells or abilities,” affecting both opponents and the creature’s controller.
11. Does Hexproof Stop Deathtouch?
No, hexproof doesn’t prevent deathtouch because deathtouch doesn’t target; it causes any amount of damage from the source to be lethal.
12. Does Shroud Protect from Board Wipes?
Shroud doesn’t protect from board wipes because these spells don’t target individual creatures; they affect all creatures on the battlefield.
13. Does Hexproof Stop Wrath of God?
No, hexproof doesn’t stop Wrath of God because Wrath of God doesn’t target; it destroys all creatures.
14. What is the Difference Between Shroud and Ward?
Ward doesn’t make a permanent an invalid target; instead, it increases the cost of targeting it, whereas shroud and hexproof make a permanent an invalid target for spells and abilities.
15. Can You Mutate Over Shroud?
No, you can’t mutate over shroud because mutate is a targeted ability, and shroud prevents a creature from being targeted by any spells or abilities, including mutate.
By understanding shroud and its interactions with other mechanics in Magic: The Gathering, players can better navigate the complexities of the game and make informed decisions about how to play their creatures with shroud and how to deal with opponents’ creatures that have this powerful ability.