Can You Blink Planeswalkers? A Comprehensive Guide
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Absolutely, you can blink Planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering! “Blinking” refers to exiling a permanent and then immediately returning it to the battlefield. When a Planeswalker is blinked, it returns as a brand new permanent, wiping the slate clean and resetting its loyalty counters to the amount printed on the card. This can be a powerful strategy for re-using abilities, dodging removal, or resetting a Planeswalker that’s about to be overwhelmed.
Understanding Planeswalker Blink Mechanics
Blinking a Planeswalker offers multiple advantages. First, it resets the loyalty counters to the Planeswalker’s initial value, effectively giving you more uses out of its abilities. Second, it bypasses the “one loyalty ability per turn” restriction, allowing you to activate an ability, blink the Planeswalker, and then activate another ability. Finally, it can act as a form of protection against targeted removal or combat damage.
The trick lies in finding the right blink spell or ability. While many blink effects specifically target creatures, others are more general and can indeed affect Planeswalkers. Look for cards that exile “target permanent” and then return it to the battlefield. Understanding this interaction is critical for advanced deck building and gameplay.
Examples of Blink Effects That Work
Here are some examples of blink effects that do work on Planeswalkers:
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Cloudshift: A simple and efficient instant-speed blink spell.
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Momentary Blink: While it targets creatures, certain cards can grant your Planeswalker creature status (temporarily).
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Ghostly Flicker: Can target an artifact and a Planeswalker for maximum value.
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Ephemerate: Recasting this with its rebound ability will allow it to be used twice.
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Panharmonicon: Doubles blink effects.
FAQs About Blinking Planeswalkers
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of blinking Planeswalkers:
1. Does blinking a Planeswalker remove all counters?
Yes, when a Planeswalker is exiled as part of a blink effect, all counters on it (including loyalty counters) are removed. When it returns to the battlefield, it enters as a new permanent with its starting loyalty counters as printed on the card.
2. Can I use a Planeswalker’s ability, blink it, and use another ability in the same turn?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the primary reasons to blink a Planeswalker. The blink effect resets the “one loyalty ability per turn” restriction, allowing you to use another ability on the same turn it returns.
3. What happens if a Planeswalker has negative loyalty counters when I blink it?
When you blink a Planeswalker, it returns to the battlefield with its starting loyalty counters, regardless of how many counters it had (or didn’t have) before being blinked. The Planeswalker will be a “new” object, and it would enter the battlefield with the number of loyalty counters printed on the card.
4. Does blinking a Planeswalker trigger “enter the battlefield” effects?
Yes, blinking a Planeswalker counts as a new permanent entering the battlefield, which triggers any relevant “enter the battlefield” abilities.
5. Can my opponent respond to me blinking my Planeswalker?
Yes, blinking is an activated or triggered ability that uses the stack, so your opponent has the opportunity to respond before the Planeswalker is exiled and returns.
6. What if a Planeswalker is also a creature (e.g., equipped with Luxior, Giada’s Gift)?
If a Planeswalker is also a creature, either through an Equipment like Luxior, Giada’s Gift or an ability, then blink effects that target creatures can be used on it. When it returns, it will still be a Planeswalker.
7. Does blinking a Planeswalker get around the “Planeswalker uniqueness rule”?
The “Planeswalker uniqueness rule” states that you cannot control two Planeswalkers with the exact same name on the battlefield simultaneously. Blinking a Planeswalker does not circumvent this rule if you are attempting to play the same name.
8. Can I blink a Planeswalker that has been targeted by a removal spell?
Yes! Blinking a Planeswalker in response to a removal spell will exile it and then return it to the battlefield, effectively dodging the removal. The removal spell will fizzle due to an illegal target.
9. Are there any situations where blinking a Planeswalker is a bad idea?
Yes. If your opponent has a card that triggers when permanents enter the battlefield under your control (especially if it damages you or benefits them), blinking a Planeswalker could inadvertently help them. Always consider the board state before blinking.
10. What happens to Auras or Equipment attached to a Planeswalker when it’s blinked?
Auras and Equipment attached to a Planeswalker are unattached and put into their owners’ graveyards (for Auras) or remain on the battlefield (for Equipment) when the Planeswalker is exiled.
11. Can I blink a Planeswalker with summoning sickness?
Planeswalkers do not have summoning sickness because they aren’t creatures by default. However, if your Planeswalker has become a creature (perhaps through an ability or an Equipment like Luxior), and has summoning sickness, it will still have summoning sickness when it returns after being blinked.
12. If I use a “blink” effect that returns the permanent at the end of the turn, can I still activate its loyalty ability that turn?
No. Since you activated a loyalty ability earlier in the turn, you cannot use another. This remains true even though the permanent was briefly exiled and has now returned.
13. Does blinking a Planeswalker interact with emblems?
No, emblems are not permanents on the battlefield. Blinking a planeswalker has no impact on any emblems that you or other players have already acquired.
14. Can abilities that prevent damage to me also prevent damage to my Planeswalkers?
No. Protection from damage to you doesn’t extend to permanents you control. However, some specific abilities can redirect damage from you to a Planeswalker you control.
15. How does blinking a Planeswalker affect abilities that refer to its previous state?
Once a Planeswalker is blinked, it is considered a brand new game object with no memory of its previous existence. Abilities that refer to its previous state will no longer apply.
Strategic Considerations for Blinking Planeswalkers
Blinking Planeswalkers is more than just a trick; it’s a strategic play. Consider these points:
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Value Generation: Repeatedly activating powerful loyalty abilities can quickly generate significant value over the course of a game.
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Combo Potential: Some cards may synergize with Planeswalkers entering or leaving the battlefield, opening up combo opportunities.
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Board Control: Resetting a Planeswalker that is threatened by creatures or removal can help maintain control of the board.
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Deck Building: Designing a deck that focuses on blinking Planeswalkers requires careful card selection to ensure synergy and consistency.
The strategic application of blinking Planeswalkers requires careful consideration of the board state, your opponent’s potential responses, and the overall game plan of your deck. It is crucial to understand the rules and interactions involved to maximize its effectiveness. Learning about Games Learning Society will help expand your knowledge in gaming strategies. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org today!
Conclusion
Blinking Planeswalkers is a powerful and versatile strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It allows you to reuse abilities, dodge removal, and gain an advantage over your opponents. By understanding the rules and interactions involved, you can effectively incorporate blinking into your decks and improve your gameplay. So, go ahead, try blinking a Planeswalker – the possibilities are endless!