Can You Exile a Planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can exile a planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering. While planeswalkers possess unique strengths and vulnerabilities, they are subject to the same removal options as other non-creature permanents, including being exiled. This article delves into the nuances of exiling planeswalkers, addressing common questions and providing a detailed overview of how it interacts within the game’s mechanics.
How to Exile a Planeswalker
Exiling a planeswalker essentially means removing it from the battlefield and placing it in the exile zone, a separate game area. This can be achieved through various methods:
Instant and Sorcery Exile Spells
Numerous instant and sorcery spells are designed to exile permanents. These cards can directly target and remove a planeswalker from the battlefield. Examples of such cards include:
- Path to Exile and Swords to Plowshares: These white removal staples can exile any target creature or, in most cases, any target permanent.
- Anguished Unmaking: This black/white spell can exile any nonland permanent.
- Utter End: Another black/white spell capable of exiling nonland permanents.
Activated and Triggered Abilities that Exile
Certain card abilities, both activated and triggered, can also result in a planeswalker being exiled. Some examples are:
- Oblivion Ring: This enchantment exiles a nonland permanent until Oblivion Ring leaves the battlefield.
- Fiend Hunter: As this creature enters, it can exile a target creature; if it leaves the battlefield, that creature returns.
- Karn Liberated: This powerful planeswalker has an ultimate ability that can exile any permanent, and then allow you to play it.
Indirect Exile Through Other Effects
While not direct exile, some effects can indirectly result in a planeswalker ending up in the exile zone. These involve removing the planeswalker from the battlefield through effects like blinking or other removal spells that then exile it before it is able to return to play.
- Blinking (like with Momentary Blink): While the planeswalker is exiled briefly, this is usually for a card’s return ability and not long-term removal. It can however, remove loyalty counters and allow for a reactivation.
- Planeswalkers that exile themselves: There are some planeswalkers with abilities that can move themselves into the exile zone, either for a future effect, or as part of an ultimate ability that can give you an advantage in the game.
Why Exile a Planeswalker?
Exiling a planeswalker is often a strategic move because it provides a more permanent removal solution. Unlike destruction, which sends a card to the graveyard, exiling a planeswalker removes it from the game entirely, preventing any recursion or graveyard-based strategies from bringing it back. This is particularly effective against planeswalkers with powerful static or activated abilities that could swing the game in your opponent’s favor.
Understanding Planeswalker Limitations
While planeswalkers are powerful, they are also vulnerable. They are affected by:
- Damage: Direct damage from spells or combat reduces loyalty counters, leading to their destruction.
- Targeted Removal: Spells and abilities that can destroy or exile non-creature permanents can target planeswalkers.
- Attack: Creatures can attack planeswalkers directly, causing a reduction in loyalty counters.
However, it’s critical to understand that while you can counter a planeswalker spell as it is cast, once it is resolved and on the battlefield you cannot react to a planeswalker’s ability the moment it is used with something like an instant speed exile spell. The planeswalker will have the opportunity to activate their ability before any response and if it is on the stack, it will resolve even if the planeswalker is exiled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exiling Planeswalkers
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the exiling of planeswalkers in MTG, designed to clarify common misconceptions and provide deeper insights:
1. Can you exile a planeswalker before it uses an ability?
No. Once a planeswalker resolves and enters the battlefield, your opponent has the first chance to use its abilities, and unless you have an ability that allows you to react to abilities and spells that go on the stack, you will not be able to exile it before it does.
2. Does exiling a planeswalker remove loyalty counters?
Yes, exiling a planeswalker removes all counters from it, including loyalty counters. When it returns to the battlefield, it re-enters with its base number of loyalty counters as printed on the card.
3. Can you counter a planeswalker ability once it is on the stack?
You can not counter the activation of a planeswalker’s ability with a standard counter spell. You would need something that can counter an activated ability like the card Stifle.
4. Does deathtouch work on planeswalkers?
No, deathtouch does not directly work on planeswalkers. Deathtouch is effective against creatures, not non-creature permanents like planeswalkers.
5. Can you attack a planeswalker instead of a player?
Yes, during combat, you can choose to attack a planeswalker with your creatures instead of attacking your opponent.
6. What happens when a planeswalker has zero loyalty counters?
If a planeswalker has no loyalty counters, it is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action.
7. Can you have two of the same planeswalker on the field at the same time?
No, you cannot have multiple copies of the same planeswalker card in play, even if they are different cards. For example, you cannot have two cards that have the type “Jace.”
8. If you exile a planeswalker, can you play it again from exile?
Unless the specific exile effect allows for the card to be played, no. If a planeswalker is exiled, it is removed from play, and it cannot be cast again from exile. The card is simply exiled and removed from the game.
9. Can you “blink” a planeswalker multiple times in a turn?
Yes, you can use a planeswalker’s ability, then flicker it (exile and return it), and use its ability again the same turn, as you are only limited by the once per turn use of its loyalty abilities.
10. Does indestructible protect against exile?
No, indestructible only protects against destruction. Exile is a different form of removal, so indestructible will not prevent it.
11. Can spells that deal damage target planeswalkers?
Yes, some spells that deal direct damage can target planeswalkers. The damage will reduce loyalty counters.
12. Can you use planeswalker abilities on your opponent’s turn?
No, planeswalker abilities can only be activated on your turn, at sorcery speed. This is the same as the timing restriction placed on playing sorcery spells.
13. Can a legendary planeswalker be a commander?
Some specific planeswalkers have the text “[CARDNAME] can be your commander” which makes them an exception to the standard commander rule that states a commander must be a legendary creature.
14. Does the “legend rule” apply to planeswalkers?
Yes, planeswalkers have their own version of the Legend rule. You cannot have multiple copies of the same planeswalker, even if they are different cards, or different versions of the same planeswalker character.
15. Can you destroy a planeswalker with board wipes like Wrath of God?
No, board wipes like Wrath of God will not destroy planeswalkers, they only destroy creatures. There are board wipes that affect all permanents, but Wrath of God only targets creatures.
Conclusion
Exiling a planeswalker is a vital removal strategy in Magic: The Gathering. It bypasses common recursion tactics and offers a more permanent solution compared to mere destruction. By understanding the various ways planeswalkers can be exiled, along with their vulnerabilities and limitations, you can enhance your gameplay and make more informed strategic decisions on the battlefield. Remember to consider the nuances of the rules and use your knowledge to gain an advantage.