Can Lightning Bolt Target a Planeswalker?
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A Lightning Bolt can indeed target a Planeswalker, but with a specific condition: unless there is a card in play that prevents you from doing so, removal spells like Lightning Bolt can target Planeswalkers directly. The Planeswalker redirection rule does not apply to direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt, allowing them to target Planeswalkers without needing to target the player controlling them first.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- What can target a planeswalker?: Many removal spells in Magic can target Planeswalkers, including instant-speed spells like Swift End and direct damage spells.
- Can shock target a planeswalker?: No, Shock cannot target a Planeswalker directly; it must target the player controlling the Planeswalker, and then the damage can be redirected to the Planeswalker upon resolution.
- Can you target planeswalkers directly?: Yes, with the introduction of the Planeswalker redirection rule in Lorwyn, direct damage spells can target Planeswalkers directly.
Countering and Negating Planeswalkers
- Can you negate a planeswalker?: Yes, Negate can be used to counter Planeswalker spells when they are on the stack.
- Can you counter a planeswalker ability?: Yes, you can counter a Planeswalker spell when it’s on the stack, but to counter a Planeswalker activation, you need something like Stifle, which counters activated abilities.
Interactions with Planeswalkers
- Does Deathtouch work on planeswalkers?: No, Deathtouch does not apply to Planeswalkers because they are not creatures.
- How do you damage planeswalkers?: A Planeswalker can be damaged by being attacked or by an opponent redirecting damage from one of their spells to the Planeswalker.
- Can fireball target planeswalkers?: No, Fireball cannot target a Planeswalker directly, but you can target the Planeswalker’s controller and then redirect the damage to the Planeswalker.
Specific Card Interactions
- Can lava spike hit a planeswalker?: Yes, Lava Spike can target Planeswalkers directly, dealing 3 damage to them.
- Can you terror a planeswalker?: No, Terror cannot target a Planeswalker because Planeswalkers are not creatures.
- Can you infect a planeswalker?: Yes, Infect can deal damage to Planeswalkers, removing the appropriate amount of loyalty counters.
Planeswalker Rules and Interactions
- What is the legend rule for planeswalkers?: All Planeswalkers have the legendary supertype and are subject to the legend rule, which states that Planeswalkers with the same subtypes can exist under your control as long as they are not of the same name.
- Can you target planeswalkers with burn spells?: Yes, burn spells like Lightning Strike can target a player, and then the damage can be redirected to a Planeswalker.
- What does indestructible do to planeswalkers?: Planeswalkers with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed from them as they are dealt damage, and if a Planeswalker with indestructible has no loyalty counters, it will still be put into its owner’s graveyard.
Final Questions
- Can planeswalkers have shield counters?: Yes, Planeswalkers can have shield counters, and Elspeth is an example of a Planeswalker that can have shield counters.