Can You Block Progenitus? Unraveling the Mystery of “Protection from Everything”

The short, decisive answer is: no, you cannot block Progenitus. This legendary creature from the Conflux set in Magic: The Gathering is notorious for its nigh-impenetrable defenses, primarily due to its keyword ability: “protection from everything”. Understanding how this protection works is crucial to comprehending why blocking Progenitus is impossible.

Understanding “Protection from Everything”

Progenitus’s protection is unlike most other protective abilities in Magic. Standard protection, like “protection from red,” simply prevents a creature from being blocked by creatures of that color, from being targeted by red spells or abilities, from taking damage from red sources, and from being enchanted or equipped by red auras and equipment. However, “protection from everything” grants the creature immunity to literally everything that a game could throw at it, encompassing all colors, all card types, and any source of damage or interference.

Specifically, “protection from everything” means that Progenitus:

• Cannot be blocked: Creatures simply cannot be declared as blockers against Progenitus.
• Cannot be targeted: It’s immune to spells or abilities that specify targets.
• Cannot be dealt damage: All damage, regardless of source or type, is prevented.
• Cannot be enchanted or equipped: Auras and equipment cannot be attached to Progenitus.

This comprehensive shield makes Progenitus a fearsome threat on the battlefield. The usual methods of interaction, such as blocking, direct damage, or targeted removal, become completely ineffective.

Why Blocking is Impossible

Because Progenitus has protection from everything, this means it cannot be blocked by any creature, regardless of that creature’s attributes. The rules text for protection specifically includes “can’t be blocked” as part of the definition. Therefore, any attempt to declare a creature as a blocker against Progenitus will be illegal. It is not that the block will be ineffective; the rules themselves simply prevent you from even trying.

The Limitations of Protection

It is vital to note that, despite its power, protection from everything isn’t absolute invincibility. There are exceptions, and it is essential to understand what protection doesn’t prevent to truly understand it. Protection from everything does not prevent non-targeted effects like board wipes (e.g. Wrath of God, Supreme Verdict) or effects that force sacrifice (e.g. Diabolic Edict). Progenitus is still subject to non-targeted effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Progenitus

Here are some common questions about Progenitus and its unique protection ability, along with detailed explanations:

1. Can I target Progenitus with spells or abilities?

No. Protection from everything includes the inability to be targeted by any spells or abilities. If an ability uses the word “target,” it can’t target Progenitus.

2. Can I deal damage to Progenitus with direct damage spells?

No. Any damage that would be dealt to Progenitus is prevented by its protection ability. This includes damage from any source, be it red burn spells, white life loss effects, or any other damage ability.

3. Can I enchant or equip Progenitus?

No. Protection from everything prevents any auras or equipment from being attached to Progenitus. This means you cannot enhance it with boosts or give it other abilities through those methods.

4. Can a board wipe destroy Progenitus?

Yes. Board wipes that destroy or exile all creatures (like Wrath of God, Supreme Verdict, or Merciless Eviction) do work on Progenitus. They do not target individual creatures, so protection has no impact.

5. Can a sacrifice effect destroy Progenitus?

Yes. Effects that force players to sacrifice creatures (like Diabolic Edict or similar effects) are effective against Progenitus, as they do not target and do not deal damage.

6. Can deathtouch kill Progenitus?

No. Deathtouch is a mechanic that makes even 1 point of damage lethal but damage is still prevented. Protection prevents all damage, regardless of source, so deathtouch does not affect Progenitus.

7. Does indestructible protect Progenitus?

Progenitus does not need the indestructible mechanic because of its protection from everything. Indestructible prevents destruction due to damage or “destroy” effects, but Progenitus’ protection is different.

8. Can Progenitus be exiled by non-targeting removal?

Yes. Removal effects that exile all creatures or non-specified permanents (like Merciless Eviction) are effective against Progenitus, as they do not target.

9. Can trample damage get through a blocker to Progenitus?

No. Trample only works with creatures that can be blocked. Since Progenitus cannot be blocked, Trample is irrelevant in this scenario.

10. Can poison counters affect Progenitus?

No. Poison counters (from cards with Infect and similar) are applied instead of damage. Because Progenitus has protection from everything, damage is prevented, which means that no poison counters will be applied.

11. Does summoning sickness affect Progenitus?

Yes. Progenitus is affected by summoning sickness, which means it cannot attack or use tap abilities in the turn it is summoned. Summoning sickness is a basic game rule and is separate from its abilities.

12. Can a creature with first strike kill a blocking Progenitus?

First strike would only be relevant if the creature was blocked. Progenitus cannot be blocked, so first strike is not a factor in dealing with it.

13. Is Progenitus legal in Commander/EDH?

No. Progenitus is not a legal commander in Commander/EDH because it is a “five-color” card and is not designated as a legendary creature. Therefore, it cannot be the Commander of a deck.

14. Is Relic of Progenitus effective against Progenitus?

While Relic of Progenitus has a powerful graveyard hate effect, it has absolutely no direct impact on Progenitus. Progenitus is not in a graveyard and not a target of the effects of the Relic.

15. What is the lore behind Progenitus?

In Magic lore, Progenitus is the five-headed Soul of the World. It is a creature that embodies immense power, and it once grew tired of creation. It unleashed five storms to consume the world: Wildfire, Earthquake, Windstorm, Flood, and Void.

Conclusion

Progenitus, with its unique and almost absolute protection, is a force to be reckoned with in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding that protection from everything prevents blocking, targeting, damage, and attachment is critical to playing against or with this legendary creature. However, knowledge of how to circumvent its protection (through non-targeting spells and effects) is also essential. While you cannot block Progenitus, it is not invincible, and careful play can lead to its defeat.