Can You Fight a Creature with Shroud? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is absolutely, you can fight a creature with shroud. Shroud only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities. Combat, by its very nature, doesn’t target. You declare attackers and blockers; there’s no targeting involved. So, swing away!
Now, let’s delve deeper into the nuances of shroud and how it interacts with combat and other game mechanics. Understanding this crucial distinction between targeting and non-targeting effects is essential for mastering Magic: The Gathering.
Understanding Shroud: More Than Just Untouchable
It’s vital to grasp precisely what shroud does. Think of it as a personal force field against directed spells and abilities. The comprehensive rules define shroud succinctly: “This permanent or player can’t be the target of spells or abilities.” This means your opponent can’t Lightning Bolt your shroud creature, nor can they use a targeted removal spell like Murder on it. You, likewise, cannot cast a beneficial aura, like Ancestral Mask, on your own shrouded creature, nor can you equip a powerful weapon like a Kaldra Compleat. Shroud is a double-edged sword.
The Key Distinction: Targeting vs. Non-Targeting
The critical thing to remember is that shroud only protects against spells and abilities that specifically “target.” This is where a lot of players get tripped up. Many effects in Magic don’t target. Board wipes, damage from combat, and sacrifice effects are prominent examples.
Combat and Shroud: A Clash of Titans
Since combat doesn’t involve targeting, a creature with shroud can freely attack and block. Imagine a 5/5 creature with shroud. Your opponent can’t use a spell to shrink it or destroy it before it attacks, but they can certainly block it with their own creatures. The damage will be dealt as normal, based on the power and toughness of the creatures involved. Similarly, your opponent can attack you with a shrouded creature. You can block normally.
Bypassing Shroud: Beyond Combat
While you can’t directly target a shrouded creature with spells or abilities, there are several ways to remove or otherwise deal with them:
- Board Wipes: Spells like Wrath of God or Damnation destroy all creatures on the battlefield, regardless of whether they have shroud or not.
- Sacrifice Effects: Effects that force an opponent to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict, can bypass shroud because the opponent is choosing which creature to sacrifice (not targeting).
- Combat Damage: As mentioned above, shroud has no effect on combat.
- Auras on Opponents’ Creatures: While you cannot target a shrouded creature to attach an Aura, you can enchant your opponent’s creature with an aura to weaken or get rid of the shrouded creature by forcing a sacrifice via an Aura.
FAQs: Shroud and Its Interactions
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the rules surrounding shroud and its interactions with other game mechanics:
1. Can you block a creature with shroud?
Yes. Blocking is not targeting, so shroud doesn’t prevent creatures from blocking or being blocked.
2. Can creatures with shroud be sacrificed?
Yes. Sacrificing is not targeting. A player can choose to sacrifice a creature with shroud if they control it.
3. Does shroud negate deathtouch?
No. Deathtouch is a static ability that doesn’t target. Any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch to a creature will destroy it.
4. Do board wipes kill shroud creatures?
Yes. Board wipes do not target creatures; they affect all creatures on the battlefield.
5. Can you counter a spell that would destroy a creature with shroud?
Yes. Shroud only works when the creature is on the battlefield. Countering a spell targets the spell, not the creature.
6. Can you equip a creature with shroud?
No. Equipping a creature targets it. Therefore, you cannot equip a creature with shroud.
7. Can you enchant a creature with shroud with an Aura?
No, if you are casting the aura spell, since aura spells target. However, you could also enchant your opponent’s creature with an Aura to weaken or get rid of the shrouded creature by forcing a sacrifice via an Aura.
8. Does indestructible prevent deathtouch?
Yes. Indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed, even by deathtouch.
9. Does hexproof cancel deathtouch?
No. Hexproof only prevents targeting by opponents’ spells and abilities. Deathtouch doesn’t target.
10. Can you mutate onto a creature with shroud?
No. Mutate requires a target creature, so you can’t mutate onto a creature with shroud.
11. Can you use a fight spell on a creature with shroud?
No. “Fight” spells like “Prey Upon” require you to target a creature you control and a creature you don’t control. Therefore, you cannot choose a creature with shroud as a valid target for “Fight” spells.
12. Can you return a creature with shroud to your hand?
If the effect does not require targeting, yes. For example, the instant spell “Wash Out” returns all creatures of a chosen color to their owners’ hands. This does not target, and would therefore return a creature with shroud to its owner’s hand. However, a spell like “Unsummon” targets a creature, and could not return a creature with shroud to its owner’s hand.
13. Can you use Ninjutsu to switch a creature with Shroud in?
Yes, you can. Ninjutsu does not target one of your creatures because returning an unblocked creature is the cost of activating the ability rather than something the ability does. Since it isn’t targeting anything, ninjutsu can still “select” a shrouded creature.
14. What happens if you sacrifice a creature with a shield counter?
Shield counters don’t prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
15. Can you sacrifice a creature an opponent controls?
No. You can only sacrifice a creature that you control.
Conclusion: Mastering the Nuances of Shroud
Understanding how shroud works is crucial for effective gameplay. Remember that it only protects against targeted spells and abilities, leaving creatures vulnerable to combat, board wipes, and sacrifice effects. By mastering these distinctions, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the complexities of Magic: The Gathering and build powerful strategies.
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This knowledge will help you make informed decisions in your games and improve your overall strategy. Good luck, and may your shrouds protect you from targeted spells!