Can you target planeswalkers in MTG?
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The answer to can you target planeswalkers in MTG is yes, you can target planeswalkers with certain spells and abilities that specifically state they can target planeswalkers, and some spells can target any permanent, which includes planeswalkers. Planeswalkers can be directly targeted by spells and abilities that explicitly state they can target planeswalkers, and they can also be targeted by spells that can target any permanent.
Understanding Planeswalkers in MTG
Planeswalkers are a unique type of permanent in Magic: The Gathering, and understanding how to target them is crucial for players.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What spells can target planeswalkers?
Planeswalkers can be targeted by spells that specifically state they can target planeswalkers, such as Hero’s Downfall.
2. Can you target a planeswalker before it uses its ability?
You can only activate a planeswalker ability as a sorcery, and if your opponent casts a planeswalker and it resolves, they will have the chance to activate an ability of their planeswalker before you can destroy it.
3. Can you target planeswalkers with lightning bolt?
The Oracle text for Lightning Bolt states “any target”, which includes creatures, players, and planeswalkers.
4. Can you target planeswalkers with burn spells?
A burn spell like Lightning Strike can only target a player, but you may end up redirecting the damage to their planeswalker.
5. Can you directly target a planeswalker?
Many removal spells in Magic can target Planeswalkers, including instant-speed spells like Swift End and any removal spell that can target any permanent.
6. What are the rules for targeting planeswalkers?
The rule states that you cannot directly target a Planeswalker with damage-dealing spells, instead, you must target a player and then redirect the damage from that player to a Planeswalker they control.
7. Can you target planeswalkers with attacks?
A planeswalker can be attacked, like a player, or be dealt damage by an opponent redirecting the damage one of their spells would deal to the player controlling the planeswalker.
8. Can lava spike target a planeswalker?
Lava Spike officially can target players or planeswalkers.
9. Can 2 planeswalkers be on the field at the same time?
Yes, you are only prohibited from having two planeswalkers with the exact same name.
10. What is the legendary planeswalker rule?
All planeswalkers gained the supertype legendary and became subject to the “legend rule“, thus if a player controls more than one legendary planeswalker with the same name, that player chooses one and puts the other into their owner’s graveyard.
11. Do planeswalkers count as target permanent?
Yes, planeswalkers count as permanents, so anything which says “target permanent” can target a planeswalker.
12. Can you react to a planeswalker ability?
Planeswalker abilities use the stack like all other abilities, and they can be responded to.
13. Does Hexproof apply to planeswalkers?
Yes, Hexproof applies to planeswalkers, as planeswalker abilities are abilities and cannot target objects with hexproof that you do not control.
14. Can fireball target planeswalkers?
No, Fireball cannot directly target a planeswalker, as it targets a creature or player, but you can target the planeswalker’s controller and then redirect the damage to the planeswalker.
15. Can skullcrack target a planeswalker?
Yes, Skullcrack can target a planeswalker, as its card text states it deals 3 damage to target player or planeswalker.