Decoding Trample Damage and Planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering

Yes, Planeswalkers can absolutely take trample damage in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). The attacker with trample deals excess damage to the defending player, planeswalker or battle even if it is blocked. Understanding exactly how and when trample damage applies to Planeswalkers is crucial for strategic gameplay. This article will delve into the nuances of this interaction, clearing up common misconceptions and providing a comprehensive overview.

Understanding Trample

Trample is a keyword ability that modifies how damage is assigned during the Combat Damage Step. Normally, a creature dealing combat damage must assign enough damage to any blocking creatures to destroy them before assigning any damage to the creature or player being attacked. Trample changes this rule. With trample, an attacking creature can assign damage to the blocking creatures equal to their toughness, and then assign any remaining damage, or “excess damage”, to the defending player, planeswalker, or battle.

How Trample Works Against Planeswalkers

The key to understanding how trample interacts with Planeswalkers lies in recognizing that attacking a Planeswalker is functionally similar to attacking a player. You declare your attacking creatures targeting the Planeswalker as the defender. If a creature with trample is blocked while attacking a Planeswalker, you must assign lethal damage to the blocking creatures first. “Lethal damage” in this case is usually an amount of damage equal to the creature’s toughness, although effects like deathtouch can modify what counts as lethal damage. Any damage beyond what’s necessary to assign lethal damage to the blockers can then be assigned to the Planeswalker.

Direct Attack vs. Redirection

It’s important to distinguish between directly attacking a Planeswalker and redirecting damage to a Planeswalker. If you are casting a spell like Fireball, which targets a player, you can choose to redirect the damage to a Planeswalker controlled by that player. However, the spell itself isn’t directly targeting the Planeswalker; it’s targeting the player, and you’re merely redirecting the damage upon resolution. Trample only comes into play when attacking the Planeswalker directly with a creature. The Games Learning Society highlights the importance of understanding game mechanics for effective learning, and Magic: The Gathering is an excellent example of a complex system that rewards strategic thinking. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

FAQs: Planeswalkers and Damage

Here are 15 frequently asked questions designed to further clarify the rules and interactions surrounding Planeswalkers and damage in Magic: The Gathering.

1. Can a creature with deathtouch trample over a blocker to a planeswalker?

Yes, a creature with deathtouch only needs to assign 1 damage to a blocker to be considered to have assigned lethal damage. The remaining damage can then be assigned to the Planeswalker if it has trample.

2. If a creature with trample is blocked by multiple creatures, how is damage assigned to the planeswalker?

You must assign lethal damage (again, modified by deathtouch, etc.) to each blocking creature before assigning any damage to the Planeswalker. You choose the order in which you assign damage to the blocking creatures.

3. What happens if a planeswalker has indestructible?

A Planeswalker with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed from it as damage is dealt to it. While it won’t be destroyed by having 0 loyalty counters, it will still be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. Indestructible only prevents destruction; it doesn’t prevent damage or loyalty loss.

4. Can you use a “destroy target permanent” spell on a planeswalker?

Yes, any removal spell that can target any permanent can target a Planeswalker as well. This is a straightforward way to remove a Planeswalker from the battlefield.

5. Can a planeswalker block?

No, Planeswalkers cannot block. Players can attack Planeswalkers, but cannot use them as defenders.

6. If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches 0, what happens?

If a Planeswalker’s loyalty is 0, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action.

7. Can you redirect damage from a spell like Lightning Bolt to a planeswalker?

Yes, if a spell targets a player, you can choose to redirect the damage to a Planeswalker that player controls.

8. Does protection from a color prevent damage to a planeswalker from a source of that color?

Protection from a color has four elements: prevention of damage, prevention of being targeted, prevention of being blocked, and prevention of being enchanted/equipped/fortified. If a creature with protection from a color is attacking, it cannot be blocked by creatures of that color. If a spell that is that color is targetting a player and the player has a planeswalker, they cannot redirect the damage to the planeswalker because of the prevention of damage element.

9. Can you proliferate loyalty counters onto a planeswalker?

Yes, the proliferate mechanic allows you to add counters of any kind already on permanents and/or players, including loyalty counters on Planeswalkers.

10. What happens if a planeswalker is mutated?

If a Planeswalker is on top of a mutation pile, it will no longer be a creature, but will still have the abilities of the creatures below. If the Planeswalker is below the creature(s), it will be a creature with loyalty abilities. This interaction is complex and often results in a non-Planeswalker creature with unusual abilities.

11. Are planeswalkers still immortal like they were before the Mending?

After the Mending, the nature of a Planeswalker’s spark changed, and they lost their invulnerability, immortality, and most of their additional magical power. They are now more vulnerable.

12. Can a planeswalker lose their spark?

Yes, in recent Magic: The Gathering lore, many Planeswalkers have lost their spark due to the Phyrexian invasion.

13. Can you use an ability that says “destroy target creature” on a planeswalker?

No. Unless a planeswalker has somehow become a creature, “destroy target creature” effects cannot target planeswalkers.

14. Does trample affect battles?

Yes. Trample does affect battles. When a creature with trample attacks a battle and is blocked, any excess damage beyond what’s needed to assign lethal damage to the blockers can be assigned to the battle.

15. Are planeswalkers powerful?

Planeswalkers are powerful cards because they provide value and their loyalty abilities are potent. Many of the most played cards in competitive Magic: The Gathering decks include Planeswalkers.

Mastering Planeswalker Defense

Protecting your Planeswalkers is crucial. Strategies include:

• Creature control: Removing or neutralizing opposing creatures reduces the threat to your Planeswalkers.
• Counterspells: Countering spells that target your Planeswalkers can prevent their removal.
• Creating blockers: Generating tokens or playing creatures with high toughness can provide a defensive line.
• Playing Planeswalkers at opportune moments: Deploying Planeswalkers when your opponent is tapped out or has limited resources can increase their survivability.

Understanding the interplay between trample, damage assignment, and Planeswalkers is vital for any Magic: The Gathering player. By mastering these concepts, you can better protect your Planeswalkers, maximize your damage output, and improve your overall gameplay.