Can You Target Equipment on a Creature in Magic: The Gathering? A Deep Dive
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Yes, you absolutely can target an Equipment that is currently attached to a creature in Magic: The Gathering! While the equipped creature itself might be protected by something like Hexproof, that protection generally doesn’t extend to the Equipment attached to it. Let’s delve into the fascinating nuances of targeting Equipment, equipping, and the various interactions that arise in the world of MTG.
Targeting Equipment: The Core Concepts
The key thing to remember is that Equipment are artifacts, and like other artifacts, they can be targeted by spells and abilities. The act of equipping – using the Equip ability – involves targeting a creature you control, but once the Equipment is attached, it becomes a separate permanent on the battlefield. Its existence isn’t magically tied to the creature in terms of targeting protection.
Think of it this way: Your creature is wearing a suit of armor (the Equipment). If someone casts a spell to destroy the armor, it doesn’t matter how tough the creature wearing the armor is; the armor is still vulnerable.
Important Considerations
- Targeting Equipment vs. Targeting with Equipment: There’s a crucial difference between targeting the Equipment itself and targeting something with an ability granted by the Equipment. For example, if an Equipment grants its wielder deathtouch, that deathtouch can be relevant when that creature deals damage to another creature. But this is not targeting.
- Equipment and Abilities: Tapping an artifact Equipment won’t cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so. Equipment attached to a creature doesn’t become tapped when that creature becomes tapped, and tapping that Equipment doesn’t cause the creature to become tapped.
- Removal is Key: Targeted removal spells like “Destroy Target Artifact” are your primary tools for getting rid of pesky Equipment that are boosting your opponent’s creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Targeting Equipment
Let’s address some common questions about targeting equipment to solidify your understanding.
FAQ 1: Can I equip equipment to my opponent’s creature?
Normally, using the Equip ability, you can’t attach Equipment to opponents’ creatures. This is because the Equip ability specifically targets a creature you control. However, certain cards might have abilities that let you attach Equipment to creatures you don’t control, but this is an exception, not the rule.
FAQ 2: Does Hexproof prevent me from targeting equipment attached to a creature I don’t control?
Hexproof only prevents opponents from targeting your creature. If you control the creature, Hexproof doesn’t protect it from your own spells and abilities. The Hexproof keyword only works for spells and abilities that your opponents control. It does not affect your own spells or abilities. Even if your opponent has enchanted the creature with Hexproof, you can still target the equipment.
FAQ 3: What happens if I destroy the creature equipped with an Equipment?
When the creature equipped with an Equipment leaves the battlefield, the Equipment becomes unattached and remains on the battlefield as an artifact. It’s no longer providing any bonuses, and your opponent might be able to equip it to another creature.
FAQ 4: Does Shroud prevent equipment from being attached?
Yes, Shroud does prevent Equipment from being attached. As part of the Equip ability, the Equipment is attached “to target creature you control.” Given that creatures with Shroud can’t be the target of spells or abilities, they can’t be the target of Equip abilities. This is different than Hexproof in that Hexproof only applies to spells or abilities your opponents control.
FAQ 5: If a creature has protection from artifacts, can I still equip it?
No. A creature with protection from artifacts cannot be targeted by artifact spells or abilities, nor can artifacts be attached to it. Protection, in general, prevents damage, targeting, enchanting/equipping, and blocking from the specified source.
FAQ 6: Can you tap an artifact that is equipped to a creature?
Tapping an artifact won’t cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so. Equipment attached to a creature doesn’t become tapped when that creature becomes tapped, and tapping that Equipment doesn’t cause the creature to become tapped.
FAQ 7: Is Equip an activated ability?
Yes. Equip is an activated ability that lets you attach an Equipment to one of your creatures. It can generally only be played at Sorcery speed, but some exceptions exist. For example, Cranial Plating has an equip ability that can be activated at instant speed.
FAQ 8: Can I equip the same creature multiple times?
Yes, you may equip the same creature multiple times with different pieces of Equipment. The only real restriction is that you must control the creature and have enough mana to pay the Equip costs.
FAQ 9: Can an equipment creature equip itself?
No, an Equipment that’s also a creature can’t equip a creature unless that Equipment has reconfigure. (See rule 702.151, “Reconfigure”). An Equipment that loses the subtype “Equipment” can’t equip a creature. An Equipment can’t equip itself.
FAQ 10: Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch?
No, “Any two instances of the Deathtouch ability against one another do not cancel each other. Both apply independently, with each instance ensuring that any damage dealt by the creature with Deathtouch is considered lethal damage.”
FAQ 11: Does indestructible override Deathtouch?
Yes, Indestructible creatures also ignore Deathtouch. Indestructible creatures cannot be killed by lethal damage. Darksteel Myr could block Ambush Viper until the end of time without suffering any ill effects.
FAQ 12: Does first strike negate deathtouch?
Deathtouch only “works” when the deathtouch creature deals at least one point of damage, so if the first strike creature deals enough damage to kill the deathtoucher, then it dies before dealing any damage. So in that sense, yes, it negates it.
FAQ 13: What is reconfigure?
Reconfigure is a keyword ability that allows an Equipment to also be a creature. When you use the reconfigure ability, you can attach the Equipment creature to another creature you control, or unattach it. If it’s unattached, it becomes a creature again. This is important for creating powerful and versatile threats on the battlefield.
FAQ 14: Can you equip equipment if it’s tapped?
Yes. You can tap Equipment all you want, but there’s no rule stating that a tapped Equipment can’t be attached to anything.
FAQ 15: Can you attach equipment to a planeswalker?
If you’ve ever wanted to smack your opponent with a planeswalker (that isn’t a Gideon), then you’ll need Luxior, Giada’s Gift. It is the only equipment which can be equipped to a planeswalker and when it does, it transforms it into a creature.
Strategic Implications
Understanding the interaction between Equipment and targeting is crucial for effective gameplay. If you have removal spells that target artifacts, don’t hesitate to use them on key Equipment boosting your opponent’s creatures. This can cripple their strategy and give you a significant advantage.
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