Do Auras Fall Off with Hexproof? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is no, auras do not fall off when a creature gains hexproof. This is a common point of confusion for many Magic: The Gathering players, so let’s dive into the specifics and clarify exactly why this is the case. Hexproof and auras interact in specific ways that can be easily misunderstood if you don’t grasp the underlying mechanics.
Understanding Hexproof and Auras
Before we delve further, it’s crucial to understand the core mechanics of both hexproof and auras.
What is Hexproof?
Hexproof is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent (typically a creature or a player) from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. This means your opponents cannot directly aim spells or abilities at a permanent with hexproof. The crucial word here is target.
What Are Auras?
Auras are enchantments that are attached to a permanent on the battlefield, usually a creature. When you cast an aura spell, you select the permanent it will enchant. The act of casting an aura spell involves targeting the intended permanent, but once the aura is on the battlefield and attached, it no longer targets anything. The aura is considered to be ‘on’ the permanent.
The Key Interaction
The critical distinction to understand here is the difference between targeting and being on the battlefield.
- Aura Spells and Targeting: When an aura is cast from your hand, it targets a permanent to which it will attach. This means if your opponent has a creature with hexproof, you cannot cast an aura spell targeting that creature.
- Auras on the Battlefield: Once an aura is already attached to a permanent, it is no longer targeting anything. It’s simply an enchantment modifying or affecting the permanent.
Since hexproof only prevents targeting and not effects that don’t target, adding hexproof to a permanent that is already enchanted by an aura will not cause the aura to fall off. The aura was already cast and attached.
Examples to Clarify
Let’s consider a couple of examples:
- Scenario 1: You have a creature on the battlefield, and your opponent casts an aura that enchants it. Now, the creature is enchanted by an aura. If you then use a spell or ability to give the creature hexproof, the aura will not fall off. The aura is already attached and doesn’t target anything at this point.
- Scenario 2: Your opponent has a creature with hexproof. You cannot target it with an aura spell, preventing you from attaching an aura to their creature.
The Importance of Targeting
The primary takeaway here is that the targeting step is the crucial factor. Once an aura is attached, it is just an enchantment modifying the permanent and no longer ‘targets’ it. Hexproof is specifically designed to only prevent targeting, which means existing auras will not be affected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about hexproof, auras, and their interactions to help clarify common points of confusion:
1. Can I cast an aura spell targeting my opponent’s creature with hexproof?
No. You cannot target an opponent’s creature with hexproof using an aura spell. The aura spell must target the permanent it’s enchanting, and hexproof prevents targeting by opponents’ spells and abilities.
2. If a creature has an aura on it, and then gains hexproof, does the aura fall off?
No. Once an aura is attached to a permanent, it no longer targets anything. The hexproof ability only prevents future targeting, so the existing aura remains attached.
3. Does hexproof prevent all kinds of removal?
No. Hexproof only protects against targeted removal. Board wipes, sacrifice effects, and other effects that don’t target still affect creatures with hexproof.
4. If a creature has hexproof, can I still enchant it with auras?
Yes, if you control the aura. Hexproof only prevents your opponents from targeting your permanents. You can still target and enchant your own creatures with hexproof.
5. How does shroud differ from hexproof in the context of auras?
Shroud prevents a permanent from being the target of any spells or abilities, while hexproof only applies to spells and abilities controlled by opponents. Like hexproof, shroud doesn’t remove attached auras, because they don’t target after they are on the battlefield.
6. Does protection remove auras?
Yes, protection can remove auras. For example, a creature with protection from blue cannot be enchanted or targeted by blue sources, and any blue auras already attached to it will fall off and be put in the graveyard.
7. Can you destroy an aura?
Yes, there are removal spells that can destroy enchantments including auras. Additionally, certain spells that bounce or destroy the creature they are on also force the aura into the graveyard.
8. Does hexproof protect against death touch?
No. Deathtouch does not target; it simply makes damage from a source lethal. Hexproof prevents targeting, not being hit by something with deathtouch.
9. Does indestructible make you immune to deathtouch?
Yes, a creature with indestructible cannot be destroyed by damage. Damage from deathtouch attempts to destroy the creature. Therefore, indestructible creatures are immune to deathtouch.
10. What kinds of spells or abilities can remove a creature with hexproof?
Non-targeted removal spells, board wipes, sacrifice effects, abilities that force a player to sacrifice a creature, or effects that put a permanent directly into the graveyard without targeting.
11. Can I use a planeswalker ability to target a creature with hexproof?
No, a planeswalker’s ability cannot target your opponent’s creature with hexproof if the ability targets.
12. Can you tap a creature with hexproof?
Yes, you can tap a creature with hexproof. Tapping doesn’t target a creature, so hexproof provides no protection.
13. Can you tap an aura?
No, auras do not tap. You tap the creature that it is attached to, but not the aura itself.
14. Do auras fall off when you regenerate?
No. Regeneration keeps the creature on the battlefield, so it also keeps the auras, counters, and equipment attached.
15. Do auras fall off when creatures stop being creatures?
It depends on the aura. If an aura says “Enchant Creature” then if a vehicle stops being a creature, the aura will fall off. However, if an aura says “Enchant Creature or Vehicle”, it will remain attached even if the vehicle stops being a creature during the cleanup step.
Conclusion
While it might seem counterintuitive initially, the interaction between auras and hexproof is quite straightforward once you grasp the difference between targeting and the effects of spells on the battlefield. Hexproof prevents targeting by opponents, while auras target when cast but not while attached. This distinction ensures that auras remain on permanents that gain hexproof later on. By understanding these fundamental rules, you can navigate complex situations in Magic: The Gathering with more confidence and clarity.