Can you sacrifice phased out permanents?

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The answer to whether you can sacrifice phased out permanents is no, you cannot sacrifice a permanent that is currently phased out because, according to the rules, a phased-out permanent is treated as though it doesn’t exist, and thus, it cannot be affected by anything, including being sacrificed. This rule emphasizes the concept that phased-out permanents are, in effect, non-existent during the time they are phased out, which impacts their interaction with other game mechanics, including sacrificing.

Understanding Phasing and Sacrificing

To delve deeper into the concept of sacrificing phased out permanents, it’s essential to understand what phasing and sacrificing mean within the context of Magic: The Gathering. Phasing is a mechanic that causes a permanent to be treated as though it doesn’t exist, and it does not count as a permanent on the battlefield until it phases back in. On the other hand, sacrificing a permanent involves moving it from the battlefield to its owner’s graveyard as part of a cost or effect.

Phasing Out Permanents

When a permanent phases out, it’s essentially removed from the game temporarily, along with any Auras or Equipment attached to it. This means that any effects or abilities that would normally affect or be affected by the phased-out permanent are suspended until the permanent phases back in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens to Auras attached to a phased-out creature? Auras attached to a phased-out creature also phase out, as they are treated as part of the creature.

2. Can you sacrifice a permanent with shroud? Yes, a creature with shroud can be sacrificed because shroud prevents a permanent from being targeted, but sacrificing does not target.

3. Does indestructible prevent sacrifice? No, indestructible does not prevent a permanent from being sacrificed, as sacrifice does not destroy a permanent.

4. What is the difference between phasing out and being exiled? Phasing out treats a permanent as if it doesn’t exist temporarily, while exiling moves a permanent from the game entirely.

5. Can phased-out creatures be affected by board wipes? No, phased-out creatures are not affected by anything, including board wipes, as they are treated as though they don’t exist.

6. Does phasing out trigger summoning sickness? No, once a creature has been under its controller’s control continuously since the beginning of that player’s most recent turn, it does not suffer from summoning sickness even if it phases out and back in.

7. Can you sacrifice a decayed creature after combat damage? Yes, a decayed creature can be sacrificed after combat damage has been dealt but before the decay ability resolves.

8. Does shroud negate board wipes? No, shroud does not negate board wipes because board wipes typically do not target individual creatures.

9. What is a permanent in Magic: The Gathering? A permanent is a card that remains on the battlefield after being cast, including creatures, enchantments, artifacts, lands, and planeswalkers.

10. Does totem armor protect from sacrifice? No, totem armor does not protect a creature from being sacrificed, as it only protects against destroy effects.

11. What happens to permanents when a player dies? When a player leaves the game, all cards they own that are in any zone other than the library are returned to them, and any effects they controlled end.

12. Are permanents still considered permanents in the graveyard? No, a card stops being a permanent as soon as it leaves the battlefield and moves to another zone, such as the graveyard.

13. What happens to stolen permanents? If a permanent is stolen and its owner leaves the game, the permanent returns to its original owner.

14. Can phased-out creatures be exiled? No, phased-out creatures cannot be exiled because they are treated as though they don’t exist and cannot be interacted with in any way.

15. Does Hexproof prevent counterspells? No, Hexproof does not prevent a creature spell from being targeted by a counterspell, as Hexproof only applies to the permanent, not the spell.

By understanding the intricacies of phasing and sacrificing in Magic: The Gathering, players can better navigate complex game scenarios and make informed decisions about their permanents. Remember, the key to mastering Magic: The Gathering is not just knowing the rules but also understanding how different mechanics interact with each other.