Annihilator vs. Indestructible: A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering’s Rules
Yes, Annihilator absolutely works on permanents with indestructible. Annihilator forces a player to sacrifice permanents. Indestructible only protects against destruction, damage, and effects that would reduce a creature’s toughness to zero. Sacrificing isn’t destruction; it’s a separate game action, bypassing indestructible entirely. Think of it like this: indestructible stops a building from being bombed, but not from being voluntarily demolished by its owner.
Understanding Annihilator
What Exactly is Annihilator?
Annihilator is a triggered ability found on some truly terrifying creatures, most notably the Eldrazi. Represented as “Annihilator N,” it triggers when the creature with the ability attacks. The defending player is then forced to sacrifice N permanents. This can be devastating, as it removes lands, creatures, enchantments, and even planeswalkers from the battlefield. The number of permanents required is determined by the ‘N’ value in the ability (Annihilator 2, for example, forces a sacrifice of two permanents). This ability gives creatures with Annihilator a massive board control advantage.
Why is Annihilator so Effective?
Annihilator is effective because it’s difficult to directly counter. It circumvents many common forms of protection. Players facing Annihilator often must make hard decisions about which of their precious resources to give up. Its power stems from the inherent limitation in the act of sacrifice, where the game mechanic forces you to give up your own cards, not allowing for any kind of protection, like Indestructible.
Why Indestructible Doesn’t Help Against Annihilator
The Definition of Indestructible
Indestructible, a keyword ability in MTG, means that a permanent cannot be destroyed by damage or “destroy” effects. This includes effects like Wrath of God, Murder, or a creature being dealt lethal damage in combat. Importantly, it doesn’t make a permanent immune to all forms of removal.
The Key Difference: Destruction vs. Sacrifice
This is where the distinction lies. Sacrifice is a game action where a player chooses a permanent they control and puts it directly into their graveyard (or exile, if specified). It isn’t considered destroying the permanent, and thus, indestructible has no effect.
Think of it like this: a house with indestructible defenses can’t be bombed or burned down, but the owner can still choose to tear it down themselves. Annihilator forces the owner’s hand, compelling the sacrifice, and indestructible is simply irrelevant to the act.
State-Based Actions and Rule 704.5
Rule 704.5 of the Comprehensive Rules deals with state-based actions which includes various actions the game takes automatically. While 704.5g deals with a creature being destroyed when it has taken lethal damage, it does not mean all routes to the graveyard are destruction.
Overcoming Annihilator: Strategies and Tactics
While indestructible doesn’t work, there are ways to mitigate the impact of Annihilator:
- Token Generation: Create a flood of tokens. These can serve as fodder for the sacrifice, allowing you to protect your more valuable permanents.
- Instant-Speed Removal: If you can remove the creature with Annihilator before it attacks (e.g., with an instant-speed removal spell), you can prevent the triggered ability from resolving.
- Bouncing/Exiling the Attacker: Similar to removal, bouncing or exiling the attacker before it attacks will prevent the trigger.
- Going Wide: Similar to token generation, flooding the board with lots of creatures makes sacrificing less painful because each individual permanent lost has less value.
- Focusing on Speed: Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Overwhelm your opponent before the Annihilator trigger can cripple you.
- Playing Around It: Sometimes, the best way to deal with a mechanic is simply to out-maneuver it by making smart plays that take into account the impending sacrifices.
Remember, Magic is a game of strategy. Knowing your opponent’s deck and understanding the limitations of certain abilities is key to victory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Deathtouch affect indestructible?
No. Deathtouch states that any amount of damage a creature deals to another creature is enough to destroy it. Since indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed by damage, deathtouch does not affect them.
2. Does protection from creatures stop Annihilator?
No. Protection from creatures prevents damage, targeting, and being blocked by creatures, and being enchanted/equipped/fortified by creatures. Annihilator forces you to sacrifice permanents; it doesn’t damage, target, block, or enchant/equip/fortify anything.
3. Can you target an indestructible creature with a “destroy” spell?
Yes. You can target it, but the “destroy” effect will simply fail to destroy it because of the indestructible ability. The spell still resolves, but the creature remains on the battlefield.
4. Does Hexproof stop Annihilator?
No. Hexproof prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Annihilator doesn’t target you; it triggers and forces you to sacrifice.
5. What happens if an indestructible creature’s toughness is reduced to 0?
An indestructible creature with 0 toughness still dies and is sent to the graveyard. Indestructible protects against damage and “destroy” effects, but not against having its toughness reduced to zero.
6. Can indestructible creatures be exiled?
Yes. Exile is a separate form of removal that completely bypasses indestructible. Effects that exile permanents are very effective against indestructible.
7. Does the “legend rule” affect indestructible permanents?
Yes. The legend rule forces a player to choose one legendary permanent with the same name and put the others into the graveyard. This is not destruction or sacrifice, but a state-based action that bypasses indestructible.
8. What is rule 117.5 in Magic The Gathering?
Rule 117.5 describes how the game handles priority and state-based actions. Before a player gains priority, the game checks for and performs any necessary state-based actions (like a creature dying from lethal damage or the legend rule). This loop continues until no state-based actions are required, at which point a player gains priority.
9. Can you be forced to sacrifice a creature with an indestructible counter on it?
Yes. An indestructible counter grants the indestructible ability. Indestructible only protects against damage and “destroy” effects, not sacrifice.
10. Does Annihilator trigger when attacking a Planeswalker?
Yes. Annihilator triggers whenever the creature attacks, regardless of whether it is attacking a player or a planeswalker. The defending player, in this case the player controlling the planeswalker, must sacrifice the required number of permanents.
11. Does Annihilator work with creatures that are also indestructible?
Yes, if a creature has both Annihilator and Indestructible it will make your opponent sacrifice permanents, and that creature will be harder to remove.
12. What is the rule 0 deck in Magic The Gathering?
Rule 0 refers to an informal rule where players agree to modify the rules of the game, often allowing the use of banned cards or unconventional deck constructions. It requires all players to consent to the changes.
13. What magic card makes everything indestructible?
There are several cards that can make your permanents indestructible. Avacyn, Angel of Hope is a popular choice, as it provides indestructible to all permanents you control. Darksteel Forge gives all artifacts you control indestructible.
14. Does wrath of God beat indestructible?
No. Wrath of God specifically says “Destroy all creatures.” Indestructible specifically says that creatures can’t be destroyed by “destroy” effects.
15. Where can I learn more about the rules of Magic: The Gathering and the intersection of games and learning?
You can find helpful content on the Games Learning Society website, specifically on GamesLearningSociety.org.
Hopefully, this comprehensive exploration of Annihilator and indestructible clarifies how these mechanics interact. Remember, understanding the nuances of Magic’s rules is key to becoming a more skilled and strategic player!