Can You Use a Planeswalker Ability Every Turn? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, generally, you can use a Planeswalker ability every turn – your turn, that is. The fundamental rule states that you can activate one loyalty ability of each Planeswalker you control during your main phase, provided the stack is empty, and you could cast a sorcery. This means that, barring specific circumstances or card effects, you’ll have the option to utilize a Planeswalker’s ability in each of your turns. However, there are nuances and exceptions to consider, which we’ll dive into in detail.
Planeswalker Abilities: The Basics
Planeswalkers are powerful permanents that enter the battlefield with a certain number of loyalty counters. These counters act as their “life total,” and using their abilities will either add or subtract these counters. When a Planeswalker reaches zero loyalty, it is put into the graveyard as a state-based action.
Each Planeswalker has a set of abilities, each with a loyalty cost:
- + Ability: Add loyalty counters (generally a small benefit).
- – Ability: Remove loyalty counters (larger effect).
- Ultimate Ability: Remove a significant number of loyalty counters (a game-changing effect).
It’s crucial to understand the timing and restrictions around activating these abilities.
Timing and Restrictions
The core rule is that you can activate a Planeswalker’s loyalty ability only at sorcery speed. This means:
- During your main phase.
- When the stack is empty (no spells or abilities are waiting to resolve).
- If you could cast a sorcery.
You can activate an ability of each Planeswalker you control, but only one ability per Planeswalker per turn. Therefore, with multiple Planeswalkers in play, you could theoretically activate several loyalty abilities in one turn.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are ways to circumvent the “one loyalty ability per turn” restriction. These exceptions are generally enabled by specific cards:
- The Chain Veil: This artifact allows you to activate loyalty abilities of Planeswalkers you control an additional time each turn.
- Teferi, Temporal Archmage: His emblem (achieved by activating his ultimate ability) grants you the ability to activate loyalty abilities of Planeswalkers you control on any player’s turn, any time you could cast an instant. This completely shatters the sorcery speed restriction.
These cards unlock significant strategic potential, allowing for powerful Planeswalker-centric strategies. Games Learning Society provides excellent resources for understanding and developing these advanced strategies. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Planeswalkers: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Planeswalkers to further clarify their mechanics and usage:
1. Can you use a Planeswalker’s ability the turn it enters the battlefield?
Yes. Planeswalkers do not have summoning sickness. You can play a Planeswalker and immediately activate one of its loyalty abilities, adhering to the sorcery speed restriction.
2. Can you use a Planeswalker’s ability on an opponent’s turn?
Normally, no. You can only activate loyalty abilities during your main phase at sorcery speed, but cards like Teferi, Temporal Archmage’s emblem grant you the ability to do so at instant speed on any player’s turn.
3. If I have two Planeswalkers with the same name, can I keep both?
No. The “legend rule” applies to Planeswalkers with the same card name. If you control two or more Planeswalkers with the same name, you must choose one to keep and put the others into the graveyard. This rule used to apply to Planeswalker types (e.g., you could only have one Garruk), but this was changed. Now, only the exact name matters.
4. Can I target a Planeswalker with a spell that targets creatures or players?
No. Planeswalkers are permanents, but they are not creatures or players. You cannot directly target them with spells that specify those targets. However, you can target the Planeswalker’s controller with a spell like Lightning Bolt, and then redirect the damage to the Planeswalker upon resolution.
5. Does Deathtouch kill a Planeswalker?
No, not directly. Deathtouch only affects creatures. To destroy a Planeswalker with deathtouch, the source with deathtouch must deal damage to the Planeswalker (either directly if the Planeswalker is a creature or indirectly by redirecting damage).
6. What happens if a Planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero?
When a Planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is put into the graveyard as a state-based action. This happens immediately and doesn’t use the stack.
7. Can I give a Planeswalker Indestructible?
Yes, you can give a Planeswalker indestructible. However, this only prevents it from being destroyed by effects that say “destroy.” It will not prevent the Planeswalker from going to the graveyard if its loyalty reaches zero.
8. Can I proliferate loyalty counters on a Planeswalker?
Yes. Proliferate allows you to add a counter of each type already present on a permanent. Since Planeswalkers have loyalty counters, you can use proliferate to add more.
9. What is the highest possible starting loyalty for a Planeswalker?
This varies by card, but some Planeswalkers enter the battlefield with a high number of loyalty counters, making them resilient and able to immediately use powerful abilities.
10. Can I use a Planeswalker’s ability more than once in a turn?
Normally, no. You can only activate one loyalty ability per Planeswalker per turn. However, cards like The Chain Veil allow you to activate additional loyalty abilities.
11. Can I copy a Planeswalker’s ability?
Yes, you can copy Planeswalker abilities using cards like Lithoform Engine. The copy resolves like normal, following the same restrictions regarding sorcery speed.
12. Does Doubling Season affect Planeswalkers?
Yes, but only when they enter the battlefield. Doubling Season doubles the number of loyalty counters a Planeswalker enters the battlefield with. It does not double the number of counters added by a + ability.
13. What is the best way to protect a Planeswalker?
There are several strategies:
- Creature Removal: Keep the board clear of creatures that can attack your Planeswalker.
- Counterspells: Protect your Planeswalker from spells that would destroy it.
- Defensive Creatures: Use creatures with high toughness or abilities like vigilance to block for your Planeswalker.
- Enchantments/Artifacts: Cards that grant hexproof or indestructible can provide additional protection.
14. Can a legendary Planeswalker be a commander?
Yes, some Planeswalkers have the text: “[CARDNAME] can be your commander.” This is an exception to the general rule that commanders must be legendary creatures.
15. Can -1/-1 counters affect Planeswalkers?
Normally, no. -1/-1 counters affect creatures by reducing their power and toughness. Unless a Planeswalker has become a creature (through an effect like that of Gideon Blackblade), -1/-1 counters have no effect on it.
Mastering Planeswalkers
Planeswalkers are complex and powerful tools in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding their abilities, restrictions, and interactions with other cards is crucial for strategic play. By mastering these concepts, you can effectively utilize Planeswalkers to control the board, generate card advantage, and ultimately, secure victory. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned veteran, continuous learning and exploration of different Planeswalker strategies will undoubtedly elevate your gameplay. The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource for delving deeper into the strategic nuances of MTG and other games.