Mastering the Multiverse: A Guide to Controlling Multiple Planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering
Yes, you absolutely can control multiple planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering (MTG)! The game allows for a complex and rewarding strategy involving a veritable army of these powerful allies. The key is understanding the “legend rule” as it applies to planeswalkers and how it has evolved over time. So, gather your mana, summon your courage, and let’s delve deep into the planeswalking possibilities!
The Planeswalker Landscape: Understanding the Rules
The most important thing to remember is that the legend rule prevents you from controlling two planeswalkers with the exact same name. This means you can’t have two copies of “Chandra, Torch of Defiance” on the battlefield at the same time. If you were to play a second copy while already controlling one, you would have to choose one to keep and the other would be put into your graveyard.
However, the beauty lies in diversity! You can absolutely control a “Chandra, Torch of Defiance” and a “Chandra, Awakened Inferno” simultaneously. These are different planeswalker cards with different names, so the legend rule doesn’t apply.
The Evolution of the Planeswalker Rule
It’s also important to understand that the rules surrounding planeswalkers have changed over time. Originally, the game adhered to a stricter rule where you could only control one planeswalker of a particular “planeswalker type.” For instance, you couldn’t control two different Garruks simultaneously, even if they had different names. This restriction was removed, allowing for the more strategic gameplay we see today. This change opened the door to far more varied and powerful planeswalker-centric decks.
Strategic Implications of Multiple Planeswalkers
Controlling multiple planeswalkers allows for a variety of strategic advantages. You can overwhelm your opponent with a diverse array of abilities, control the board in multiple ways, and create powerful synergies between different planeswalkers. For example, you could use a planeswalker to generate tokens while another protects them with defensive abilities. The possibilities are truly endless, limited only by your imagination and deckbuilding skills. You might find synergies that enhance your gameplay, like using one planeswalker to protect the other, or combining their abilities for maximum impact.
Activation and Timing
Don’t forget that you can only activate one loyalty ability per planeswalker per turn, and only at a time you could cast a sorcery (typically during your main phase when the stack is empty). Managing multiple planeswalkers efficiently requires careful planning and prioritization. Consider which abilities will have the greatest impact on the game, and don’t be afraid to protect your valuable planeswalkers from harm. The resources available at GamesLearningSociety.org can provide insights into strategic game design and player decision-making, which are highly relevant to MTG.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Planeswalkers
Here are some common questions players have regarding planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering:
1. Can I have multiple versions of the same planeswalker character in play?
Yes! As long as they have different names, you can have multiple versions of the same planeswalker character in play. For instance, you can control both “Jace, the Mind Sculptor” and “Jace Beleren” simultaneously. This is due to the fact that the Planeswalker uniqueness rule only checks for matching names now.
2. What happens if I play a planeswalker with the same name as one I already control?
The legend rule immediately applies. You choose which one to keep and put the other into your graveyard. This is a state-based action and doesn’t use the stack, so it can’t be responded to.
3. Can I activate multiple planeswalker abilities on the same turn?
Yes, but with a restriction. You can only activate one loyalty ability per planeswalker per turn. However, if you control multiple planeswalkers, you can activate one ability from each of them on your turn.
4. Can I use a planeswalker’s ability the turn I play it?
Absolutely! Planeswalkers do not have “summoning sickness.” You can activate one of their loyalty abilities the same turn you cast them, provided you do so at a time you could cast a sorcery.
5. What happens when a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero?
When a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches 0, it is immediately put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. This happens before anyone can respond.
6. Can I target a planeswalker with a Lightning Bolt?
Yes! Planeswalkers can be targeted by spells and abilities that can target players. Damage dealt to a planeswalker results in the removal of a corresponding number of loyalty counters. Note: You can redirect noncombat damage to a planeswalker you control. Combat damage needs to be assigned to a planeswalker if you want to deal damage to it.
7. Can I attack a planeswalker directly?
During combat, you can declare attacking creatures as attacking either the opposing player or a planeswalker they control. If you attack a planeswalker, any damage dealt to it will remove loyalty counters.
8. Does deathtouch apply to planeswalkers?
Not directly. Deathtouch is a static ability that destroys creatures that are dealt damage by a source with deathtouch. Planeswalkers are not creatures unless something makes them creatures (e.g. Gideon Blackblade), and they are usually damaged by loyalty counters being taken off. Some abilities will still work if they deal damage to creatures and planeswalkers, like Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence.
9. Can I proliferate planeswalkers?
Yes! Proliferate allows you to add one additional counter of each kind already on a permanent or player. Since planeswalkers have loyalty counters, you can use proliferate to add more loyalty counters to them.
10. Can planeswalkers have other types of counters on them?
Yes! Planeswalkers can have other types of counters, such as +1/+1 counters (if they become creatures), -1/-1 counters, or shield counters. The functionality of those counters depends on the effect that puts them on the planeswalker.
11. Can planeswalkers be exiled?
Yes! Planeswalkers can be exiled using spells and abilities that exile permanents. However, you generally can’t exile a planeswalker in response to its loyalty ability being activated, as the ability is already on the stack and will resolve even if the planeswalker is exiled.
12. Can a planeswalker be my commander?
Some planeswalkers have text that explicitly allows them to be your commander. These planeswalkers are an exception to the normal rule that commanders must be legendary creatures. If a planeswalker card says it “can be your commander”, you may use it as your commander.
13. What happens if a planeswalker becomes a creature?
If a planeswalker becomes a creature, it is still subject to the same rules as any other creature. It can be attacked, blocked, and targeted by creature spells and abilities. If it takes damage, it is dealt damage as a creature rather than having loyalty counters removed. It is still a planeswalker, though, so something that affects planeswalkers still affects it.
14. What are the best ways to protect my planeswalkers?
There are many ways to protect your planeswalkers, including:
- Creatures with vigilance: These can block attackers without tapping.
- Creatures with high toughness: These can survive attacks and protect your planeswalkers.
- Spells that prevent damage or destruction: These can protect your planeswalkers from targeted removal.
- Board wipes: These can clear the board of threats, giving your planeswalkers a chance to shine.
- Counterspells: Can negate a spell or ability.
15. Can a planeswalker have indestructible?
Yes, a planeswalker can gain indestructible. However, indestructible only prevents destruction. A planeswalker with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed when dealt damage, and if its loyalty reaches 0, it will still be put into its owner’s graveyard.
Unleash the Planeswalker Power!
Controlling multiple planeswalkers can be a powerful and rewarding strategy in Magic: The Gathering. By understanding the rules and mastering the synergies between different planeswalkers, you can create a formidable force on the battlefield. So, go forth, explore the multiverse, and unleash the power of your planeswalker army! The strategic depth of MTG, and similar games, can be explored further at Games Learning Society.