Does Avacyn Protect Planeswalkers? A Deep Dive into MTG Rules
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Yes, under the right circumstances, Avacyn, Angel of Hope does protect your planeswalkers. Her ability grants indestructibility to Avacyn herself and all other permanents you control. Since planeswalkers are indeed permanents, they become indestructible while Avacyn’s ability is in effect. However, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of how indestructibility interacts with planeswalkers and their unique rules.
Understanding Indestructibility and Planeswalkers
Indestructibility prevents a permanent from being destroyed by lethal damage or by effects that say “destroy.” It doesn’t prevent a permanent from being put into the graveyard for other reasons. This distinction is particularly important when considering planeswalkers.
Planeswalkers have loyalty counters, and damage dealt to a planeswalker results in the removal of loyalty counters equal to the amount of damage. If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard. This is a state-based action that doesn’t destroy the planeswalker. Thus, a planeswalker with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed when dealt damage, and if those counters reach zero, the planeswalker will still be put into the graveyard. Indestructibility only prevents destruction; it doesn’t protect against losing loyalty counters.
So, while Avacyn makes your planeswalkers significantly harder to get rid of (immune to destroy effects and lethal damage), they are still vulnerable to losing loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Avacyn and Planeswalkers
Here are some common questions about Avacyn and planeswalkers, to give you a more comprehensive understanding:
Can a board wipe destroy planeswalkers protected by Avacyn?
Some board wipes, like Wrath of God, only destroy creatures, and therefore have no effect on planeswalkers, indestructible or not. However, board wipes that deal damage to all permanents, including planeswalkers, will still cause loyalty counters to be removed. While indestructibility prevents the planeswalker from being destroyed, it doesn’t stop the loss of loyalty. If the planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it goes to the graveyard.
If a planeswalker with indestructible has no loyalty counters, is it put into the graveyard?
Yes. The rule that puts a planeswalker into the graveyard when it has no loyalty counters is a state-based action, not a destruction effect. Therefore, indestructibility doesn’t prevent this from happening.
Does Deathtouch kill an indestructible planeswalker?
Deathtouch only affects creatures. It causes one point of damage from a creature with deathtouch to be considered lethal damage, which would normally destroy the creature. Since planeswalkers are not creatures, deathtouch alone will not send a planeswalker to the graveyard. However, if a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a planeswalker, loyalty counters are removed as normal.
Does Hexproof protect planeswalkers from planeswalker abilities?
Hexproof prevents a permanent from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Planeswalker abilities are abilities. Therefore, if an opponent’s planeswalker ability targets one of your permanents, Hexproof will stop it. However, your own planeswalker abilities can target your permanents with hexproof.
How was Avacyn corrupted?
Avacyn’s madness was caused by the cryptoliths created by Nahiri. The redirection of mana caused by these structures was particularly harmful to angels, who are formed of raw mana. This corruption led to her transformation into Avacyn, the Purifier.
Is Archangel Avacyn red?
Archangel Avacyn has a white casting cost. However, she can transform into Avacyn, the Purifier, who has a red color identity. Thus, Archangel Avacyn’s color identity is white and red.
What does Hexproof not protect against?
Hexproof is ineffective against any effect that doesn’t target the creature or player. This includes board wipes, sacrifice effects, and effects that interact with cards in the graveyard or library. It also doesn’t prevent damage from combat if the creature is blocked.
Does shroud negate deathtouch?
Shroud prevents a permanent from being targeted by any spell or ability. Deathtouch does not target, so shroud does not protect against it. A creature with shroud that is dealt damage by a creature with deathtouch will still be destroyed (unless it also has indestructible).
Do board wipes affect planeswalkers?
Some board wipes destroy only creatures, while others deal damage to all permanents, including planeswalkers. The ones that deal damage to all permanents will cause the loyalty counters to be removed.
How powerful was Avacyn?
Avacyn was considered the most powerful and confident angel on Innistrad. She could hear all prayers in Innistrad, granting her a unique connection to the plane’s inhabitants. Her power stemmed from the magic of faith invested in her by Sorin Markov.
Why is [[Avacyn, Angel of Hope]] expensive?
Avacyn, Angel of Hope is expensive due to her popularity in formats like Commander (EDH). She is a powerful card that protects your permanents, making her a valuable asset for many decks.
Who killed Griselbrand?
Griselbrand was killed by the planeswalker Liliana Vess. He was previously imprisoned in the Helvault alongside Avacyn.
Why did Sorin create Avacyn?
Sorin Markov created Avacyn to maintain the balance on Innistrad. He tasked her with protecting the plane from the darkness, ensuring the survival of both humans and vampires. The Church of Avacyn rose from the power Sorin invested in her.
What happens to Avacyn?
Avacyn was imprisoned in the Helvault alongside Griselbrand and other demons. When the Helvault was destroyed, Avacyn was freed, but she had become corrupted and ultimately needed to be destroyed, although the exact circumstances vary depending on the story you read.
What block was Avacyn Restored in?
Avacyn Restored is the third set in the Innistrad block, released in May 2012.
The Strategic Implications
Knowing how Avacyn interacts with planeswalkers allows for more strategic gameplay. You can protect your planeswalkers from destruction effects, forcing your opponent to attack them directly or use other methods to deplete their loyalty. However, remember that Avacyn is a powerful target herself. Protecting her is often just as crucial to maintaining your board state.
Understanding the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering rules is key to mastering the game. Resources like the Games Learning Society website (GamesLearningSociety.org) can offer valuable insights into game mechanics and strategies. Whether you are playing kitchen table magic or EDH, knowing the rules is always advantageous.