Can Planeswalkers Block in Magic: The Gathering? The Definitive Guide
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The simple answer is no. Planeswalkers, in their base state, cannot block in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). They are not creatures, and blocking is an action reserved for creatures. Understanding why requires delving into the fundamental mechanics of combat and how planeswalkers interact within the game. Let’s break down the specifics and clear up some common misconceptions.
Understanding Planeswalkers and Combat
Planeswalkers are powerful permanents that represent characters from across the multiverse. They enter the battlefield with a set number of loyalty counters, which are used to activate their unique abilities. These abilities range from creating creature tokens to dealing direct damage and manipulating the battlefield.
During combat, players declare attackers. These attackers can target either an opponent or a planeswalker that opponent controls. If an attacking creature targets a planeswalker, the defending player (the one controlling the planeswalker) can then declare blockers. However, only creatures can be declared as blockers.
Since planeswalkers are not creatures, they are unable to be declared as blockers. The damage from unblocked attacking creatures will be applied to the planeswalker, removing loyalty counters equal to the damage dealt. If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is put into the graveyard.
The Exception: Planeswalkers That Become Creatures
There is a crucial exception to this rule: when a planeswalker becomes a creature. Some planeswalkers have abilities that transform them into creatures, often until the end of the turn. A prime example is Gideon Blackblade. When Gideon Blackblade is a creature, it absolutely can block. If a planeswalker becomes a creature through its own ability or another card’s effect, it gains all the rights and responsibilities of a creature, including the ability to block attacking creatures.
This is an important distinction. It’s not that planeswalkers inherently can block; it’s that creatures can block, and some planeswalkers can temporarily become creatures.
Why This Matters
Understanding that planeswalkers typically cannot block is critical for strategic gameplay. It forces players to protect their planeswalkers with creatures, spells, and other abilities. Ignoring this basic rule can lead to devastating losses, as your valuable planeswalkers are quickly eliminated by opposing creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Planeswalkers and Blocking
1. Can a creature block for a planeswalker?
Yes! This is the primary way to protect your planeswalkers. You declare your creatures as blockers against creatures attacking your planeswalker.
2. If a creature has “protection from planeswalkers,” can it block a creature attacking a planeswalker?
Yes. “Protection from planeswalkers” means the permanent with protection can’t be targeted by planeswalkers, damaged by planeswalkers or enchanted/equipped by planeswalkers. It has no effect on blocking.
3. What happens if a planeswalker with an ability that turns it into a creature is attacked?
If the planeswalker has already become a creature (and remains a creature during the declare blockers step), you can declare it as a blocker. If the planeswalker is attacked and then, after attackers are declared, you activate the ability to turn it into a creature, it’s too late to block.
4. Can damage be redirected from a player to a planeswalker if the attacking creature is blocked?
No. Redirecting damage to a planeswalker only happens if damage would be dealt to the player. If the creature is blocked, the damage is dealt to the blocker instead (or is split amongst multiple blockers, as determined by the attacking player).
5. What is the planeswalker uniqueness rule, and how does it affect gameplay?
The planeswalker uniqueness rule (often mistakenly called the “legend rule” for planeswalkers, as they are all legendary) states that if you control two planeswalkers with the exact same name (e.g., two copies of “Jace Beleren”), you must choose one to keep and put the other into the graveyard. This prevents you from stacking multiple copies of the same powerful planeswalker. Note that you can control different planeswalkers with the same subtype (e.g. Liliana of the Veil and Liliana of the Dark Realms).
6. Can I use a spell to make a planeswalker indestructible so it can block?
Indestructibility only prevents destruction by damage and “destroy” effects. It doesn’t grant the ability to block. A planeswalker would still need to become a creature to block.
7. If a planeswalker is also a creature, does it still have loyalty counters?
Yes. Even if a planeswalker becomes a creature, it retains its loyalty counters and abilities. It is essentially both a planeswalker and a creature simultaneously, so all rules for both permanent types apply.
8. Can I proliferate loyalty counters on a planeswalker to increase its health?
Yes! Proliferate allows you to add counters to permanents (and players) that already have them. This is a common strategy to boost a planeswalker’s loyalty and keep it alive longer.
9. Can I use a -1/-1 counter on a planeswalker to reduce its loyalty?
No. -1/-1 counters are specifically for reducing the power and toughness of creatures. Damage dealt to a planeswalker is what causes it to lose loyalty counters. You can place a -1/-1 counter on a planeswalker that has become a creature however.
10. Can I attack a planeswalker with a creature that has deathtouch?
Yes, you can attack a planeswalker with a creature that has deathtouch. If the creature is unblocked, it will deal damage to the planeswalker, and deathtouch only makes it deal 1 damage.
11. What happens if a planeswalker becomes a creature with zero toughness?
If a planeswalker transforms into a creature with zero toughness, it will immediately be put into the graveyard as a state-based action. State-based actions are checked constantly throughout the game, and a creature with zero or less toughness automatically dies. The planeswalker’s loyalty counters are irrelevant in this case.
12. Can I use a board wipe that destroys all creatures to protect my planeswalker from being attacked?
Yes! Using a board wipe like Wrath of God or Damnation will destroy all creatures on the battlefield, preventing them from attacking either you or your planeswalker on the subsequent turn. This gives you valuable breathing room to rebuild your defenses.
13. Can I tap a creature to prevent it from attacking a planeswalker?
Tapping a creature only prevents it from attacking you, the player. It can still be declared as an attacker against one of your planeswalkers. Spells and abilities that specifically prevent creatures from attacking are more effective for protecting planeswalkers.
14. If a planeswalker is a creature, can it block a creature with flying?
Yes, if the planeswalker has become a creature and also has the flying ability, it can block creatures with flying. Otherwise, it cannot.
15. What are some strategies for protecting planeswalkers effectively?
Some common strategies include:
- Creature control: Using removal spells and board wipes to eliminate opposing creatures.
- Creature generation: Producing tokens or other creatures to act as blockers.
- Direct damage: Removing threats before they can attack.
- Hexproof/Indestructibility: Making the planeswalker harder to target or destroy (though note this doesn’t grant the ability to block in itself).
- Propaganda Effects: Making it expensive to attack you and your Planeswalkers, deterring attacks in the first place.
Understanding these rules and strategies is crucial for mastering the art of planeswalker protection and achieving victory in Magic: The Gathering.
The complexities and strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering, and other games, are subjects studied at the Games Learning Society. At GamesLearningSociety.org, researchers explore the intersections of games and education.