Redirecting Annihilator: A Deep Dive into Magic’s Most Brutal Ability
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The short answer is yes, you can redirect the Annihilator trigger, under very specific circumstances, which often involve changing the defending player after the ability has triggered but before it resolves. This is a somewhat niche interaction, but it can be strategically important. Now let’s explore the intricacies of this interaction and other common questions about the Annihilator ability.
Understanding Annihilator: The Basics
Before diving into redirection, it’s crucial to understand how Annihilator works. Defined in rule 702.86a, Annihilator N means: “Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices N permanents.” The key here is the “defending player.” Annihilator triggers when the creature is declared as an attacker. The ability goes on the stack and resolves during the resolution step unless countered, at which point the defending player (the player being attacked or the controller of the planeswalker being attacked) must sacrifice the stated number of permanents.
How Redirection Works: The Portal Mage Example
The question that inspired this article referenced Portal Mage. The crucial interaction is the timing. Portal Mage’s ability allows you to change the target of an attacking creature. If you activate Portal Mage’s ability after an Annihilator trigger has gone on the stack, and redirect the attacking creature to attack a different player, that new player becomes the defending player when the Annihilator trigger resolves. Therefore, that new player will be forced to sacrifice the permanents.
It’s About Timing
This illustrates a key concept in Magic: timing. The Annihilator ability triggers when the creature attacks. The defending player is determined when the ability resolves. Changing the defending player between those two moments is how you redirect the effect.
Annihilator: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let’s address some common questions about Annihilator to solidify our understanding.
1. What rule governs Annihilator?
The rule governing Annihilator is 702.86 in the comprehensive rules of Magic: The Gathering.
2. Does Annihilator target?
No, Annihilator does not target. It forces the defending player to sacrifice permanents, but the ability itself doesn’t target the player or the permanents. This is key to understanding why effects that prevent targeting, like hexproof, don’t work against it.
3. Does Hexproof stop Annihilator?
No, Hexproof does not stop Annihilator. Hexproof only prevents a player or permanent from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Since Annihilator doesn’t target, hexproof offers no protection.
4. Does Protection from Everything stop Annihilator?
No, protection from everything does not stop Annihilator. Protection prevents damage, targeting, and enchanting/equipping, and blocking. Since Annihilator doesn’t do any of these, protection is ineffective.
5. Does Annihilator trigger when attacking a Planeswalker?
Yes, Annihilator triggers when the creature attacks anything, including a Planeswalker. The controller of the planeswalker will be considered the defending player, and they will be the one to sacrifice the permanents.
6. Can you stop Annihilator by preventing the creature from attacking?
Yes, you can stop Annihilator by preventing the creature from attacking. Annihilator is a triggered ability that activates when the creature is declared as an attacker. If you remove the creature or prevent it from attacking before this step, Annihilator will not trigger. Effects that tap the creature or exile the creature are excellent options.
7. Does Annihilator work with Double Strike?
No, Annihilator does not “work” with double strike in the sense of triggering twice. It triggers only once, when the creature is declared as an attacker. The creature with double strike will still deal damage twice, but the Annihilator ability itself only happens once per attack.
8. Does Annihilator affect Indestructible permanents?
Yes, Annihilator absolutely affects indestructible permanents. Annihilator forces sacrifice, and indestructible only prevents destruction. Sacrificing an indestructible permanent is a perfectly legal play.
9. What happens if the creature with Annihilator is removed after the ability triggers but before it resolves?
The Annihilator ability will still resolve. Once an ability is on the stack, it exists independently of its source. Removing the creature won’t stop the sacrifice.
10. What does the “Annihilator N” number mean?
The “N” in Annihilator N represents the number of permanents the defending player must sacrifice when the creature attacks. For example, Annihilator 2 means the player sacrifices two permanents.
11. Does Annihilator work with Ninjutsu?
No, Annihilator won’t trigger when a creature enters the battlefield attacking due to Ninjutsu or similar effects. The ability triggers specifically when a creature is declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step. When a creature enters the battlefield attacking, it bypasses the declaration phase.
12. Can you counter the Annihilator ability?
Yes, you can counter the Annihilator ability. Like any triggered ability, it goes on the stack and can be targeted by counterspells like Counterspell or Disallow. Countering the ability will prevent the defending player from having to sacrifice any permanents.
13. Can a player choose which permanents to sacrifice?
Yes, the defending player chooses which permanents to sacrifice. They can strategically select the least valuable permanents to minimize the impact of the Annihilator ability.
14. Are tokens affected by Annihilator?
Yes, tokens are affected by Annihilator. They are permanents and can be sacrificed to satisfy the requirement of the Annihilator ability.
15. Is there a limit to the number of permanents a player can be forced to sacrifice with Annihilator?
There is no inherent limit in the rules. If a creature has Annihilator 6, and you have only 3 permanents, you sacrifice all 3. If you have no permanents, you sacrifice nothing.
Strategic Implications of Annihilator
Annihilator is an incredibly powerful ability because it circumvents many forms of protection. It’s resistant to indestructible, hexproof, and even certain forms of protection. The key to playing against Annihilator is either preventing the creature from attacking (through removal or tapping effects) or countering the Annihilator trigger itself. The redirection trick discussed earlier, while niche, provides a compelling strategic option when available. Understanding these nuances allows for more informed deckbuilding and gameplay decisions.
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