Indestructible Planeswalkers: Loyalty and Loss
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No, indestructibility does not prevent Planeswalkers from losing loyalty counters when dealt damage. While indestructible protects a permanent from being destroyed by damage or effects that specifically state “destroy,” it does not negate the damage itself.
Understanding Planeswalker Loyalty and Indestructibility
Let’s delve into the nuances of how these mechanics interact in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Planeswalkers, powerful allies that can be summoned to aid you in battle, enter the battlefield with a certain number of loyalty counters. These counters are vital to activating their abilities, and depleting them to zero results in the Planeswalker being sent to the graveyard.
Damage to Planeswalkers comes in two primary forms: direct damage from spells and abilities, and combat damage when creatures attack them. When a Planeswalker is dealt damage, a corresponding number of loyalty counters are removed.
Indestructible, on the other hand, is a static ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed. A permanent with indestructible can still be dealt damage, have counters removed from it, and be affected by other game mechanics. However, it will ignore any effect that attempts to destroy it, whether through damage or a “destroy” spell.
The key takeaway is that indestructibility only prevents destruction, not damage or the resulting loss of loyalty counters. Think of it like a resilient fortress: while the walls are impervious to being demolished, they can still be bombarded, and the inhabitants within will suffer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Indestructible and Planeswalkers
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between indestructible and Planeswalkers in MTG:
1. How do Planeswalkers lose loyalty counters?
Planeswalkers lose loyalty counters primarily in two ways: by activating their abilities (which often require removing counters as a cost) and by taking damage. Damage dealt to a Planeswalker results in the removal of loyalty counters equal to the amount of damage dealt.
2. What happens when a Planeswalker with indestructible has 0 loyalty counters?
Even with indestructible, a Planeswalker with zero loyalty counters is put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action, meaning it happens automatically when the game state meets that condition. The rule that causes this doesn’t “destroy” the Planeswalker, so indestructibility is irrelevant.
3. Can deathtouch kill an indestructible Planeswalker?
No. Deathtouch is a static ability that destroys a creature that is dealt damage by a source with deathtouch. But it only effect creatures not Planeswalkers. You’ll need an additional ability like that of Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence .
4. Does indestructible prevent -X/-X effects from killing a creature?
No. While indestructible protects against destruction by damage, reducing a creature’s toughness to zero through effects like -X/-X still sends it to the graveyard. This is because the creature dies due to having zero or less toughness, not because of destruction.
5. Does sacrifice beat indestructible?
Yes. Sacrificing a permanent puts it directly into the graveyard as part of the cost or effect of a spell or ability. This is not considered destruction, so indestructible offers no protection.
6. Does trample damage go through an indestructible creature to hit a Planeswalker?
Yes. When a creature with trample attacks and is blocked by an indestructible creature, the attacking creature must assign enough damage to the blocking creature to deal lethal damage if it weren’t indestructible. Any remaining damage is “trampled over” to the defending player or Planeswalker.
7. Can a board wipe that says “destroy all creatures” affect an indestructible Planeswalker that has become a creature?
If a Planeswalker has become a creature (through an effect like Sarkhan the Masterless’s ultimate ability) and is targeted by a board wipe that says “destroy all creatures,” indestructible will protect it from being destroyed.
8. Does indestructible prevent exile?
No. Exile is a completely different zone than the graveyard. Indestructible only protects against destruction, not exile. Effects that exile permanents ignore indestructibility.
9. Does regeneration stop deathtouch from destroying a creature?
Yes, regeneration can prevent a creature from being destroyed by deathtouch. When a creature with regeneration would be destroyed, instead a regeneration effect removes all damage from it, taps it, and removes it from combat.
10. Does first strike negate deathtouch?
If a creature with first strike deals lethal damage to a creature with deathtouch during the first strike combat damage step, the creature with deathtouch will be destroyed before it has a chance to deal damage back.
11. Does hexproof prevent deathtouch?
No. Hexproof only prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch is a static ability, not a targeted spell or ability, so hexproof does not protect against it.
12. Can you proliferate loyalty counters on Planeswalkers?
Yes. Proliferate allows you to add an additional counter of any kind already on a permanent or player. This includes loyalty counters on Planeswalkers, making it a valuable tool in “Superfriends” decks.
13. What is the difference between indestructible and hexproof?
Indestructible prevents destruction, while hexproof prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. They offer different types of protection. A creature with indestructible can still be targeted by spells and abilities, while a creature with hexproof can still be destroyed by damage or sacrifice effects.
14. Does damage marked on an indestructible creature stay there indefinitely?
Yes. Damage marked on a creature remains until the cleanup step or until an effect removes it. Even if the creature is indestructible, the damage is still tracked.
15. Can Planeswalkers be the target of spells like Lightning Bolt?
Yes, but only if the spell specifically says it can target Planeswalkers, or if it can target “any target”. Otherwise, spells that target “creature” or “player” cannot target Planeswalkers. Creatures can attack Planeswalkers though.
Learning More About MTG Mechanics
Understanding the intricate rules and mechanics of Magic: The Gathering can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Resources like the official MTG rulebook and online communities are excellent tools for expanding your knowledge. Educational initiatives, such as those supported by the Games Learning Society through GamesLearningSociety.org, also contribute to fostering a deeper understanding of the strategic and cognitive skills involved in complex games like MTG.
By mastering these mechanics, you can enhance your gameplay and develop a more profound appreciation for the strategic depth of this iconic card game. Remember, indestructibility is a powerful tool, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle in the vast and ever-evolving world of Magic: The Gathering.