Does Cleansing Nova Destroy Artifact Creatures?
Yes, Cleansing Nova destroys artifact creatures. As a sorcery that states “Destroy all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments,” its effect is broad enough to encompass any permanent on the battlefield that falls under those categories. Artifact creatures, being permanents that are both artifacts and creatures, are therefore destroyed by Cleansing Nova.
Understanding Cleansing Nova’s Effect
Cleansing Nova is a powerful board wipe commonly found in white-mana-based decks. Its primary function is to reset the board state, removing problematic permanents that might be hindering the player casting it. To fully understand its effect, let’s break down the card text:
- “Destroy all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments.” This seemingly simple sentence holds immense power. The word “all” is crucial. It means every permanent on the battlefield that is an artifact, a creature, or an enchantment, regardless of its color, type, or abilities, is targeted for destruction. There are no exceptions based on targeting restrictions or protection from white (as the effect doesn’t target; it destroys).
Why Artifact Creatures are Vulnerable
The vulnerability of artifact creatures stems from their dual nature. They possess the properties of both an artifact and a creature. Therefore, they are hit by both the “destroy all artifacts” and the “destroy all creatures” portions of Cleansing Nova’s effect. There’s no loophole or way to avoid it (barring hexproof or indestructible).
Implications for Deckbuilding and Gameplay
Understanding that Cleansing Nova destroys artifact creatures has significant implications for both deckbuilding and gameplay:
- Deckbuilding: If your deck relies heavily on artifact creatures as its primary win condition, including cards that grant indestructible or hexproof to your permanents may be crucial to mitigate the effect of Cleansing Nova and similar board wipes. Conversely, if your meta (local play environment) is heavy with artifact creature strategies, adding Cleansing Nova to your deck could be a powerful tech choice.
- Gameplay: When facing a white-mana-heavy opponent, especially one playing control strategies, be wary of overextending your board with artifact creatures. Consider holding back some resources to rebuild after a potential Cleansing Nova. Alternatively, consider ways to bait out the Cleansing Nova by presenting more immediate threats that the opponent is forced to deal with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Cleansing Nova destroy animated lands?
Yes, if a land has been animated into a creature (e.g., through cards like [[Awakening of Vitu-Ghazi]]), Cleansing Nova will destroy it because it is now considered a creature.
2. Can protection from white save a creature from Cleansing Nova?
No. Protection from white prevents targeting, damage, and enchanting/equipping by white sources. Cleansing Nova does not target, deal damage, or enchant/equip; it simply destroys.
3. Does Cleansing Nova destroy indestructible creatures?
No. Indestructible is an ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed. Therefore, while Cleansing Nova attempts to destroy indestructible creatures, the indestructible ability will override the destruction effect.
4. What happens if I control an artifact creature with hexproof?
Hexproof prevents the permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. Since Cleansing Nova doesn’t target, hexproof won’t save it.
5. Does Cleansing Nova destroy tokens?
Yes. Tokens are permanents on the battlefield and are subject to Cleansing Nova’s effect just like any other artifact, creature, or enchantment.
6. If my creature has both hexproof and indestructible, will Cleansing Nova destroy it?
No. Indestructible will prevent the destruction. The hexproof is irrelevant in this case as Cleansing Nova doesn’t target.
7. Can I respond to Cleansing Nova being cast?
Yes, you can respond to Cleansing Nova while it’s on the stack (i.e., being cast). You can cast instant spells or activate abilities to protect your permanents, add more permanents to the battlefield, or counter the spell entirely.
8. What happens if I cast Cleansing Nova when there are no artifacts, creatures, or enchantments on the battlefield?
Nothing happens. Cleansing Nova will resolve, but it won’t destroy anything because there are no valid targets on the battlefield.
9. Does Cleansing Nova destroy planeswalkers?
No. Cleansing Nova only destroys artifacts, creatures, and enchantments. Planeswalkers are a separate card type and are not affected.
10. If I have a creature that is also an enchantment, is it destroyed?
Yes. Since it is both a creature and an enchantment, it is destroyed by both the “destroy all creatures” and “destroy all enchantments” portions of Cleansing Nova’s effect.
11. Does Cleansing Nova affect creatures with shroud?
Yes. Shroud prevents targeting by any spells or abilities, but Cleansing Nova doesn’t target. Therefore, shroud will not protect a creature from Cleansing Nova.
12. If a creature is both an artifact and a planeswalker, is it destroyed by Cleansing Nova?
No. While it is an artifact, Cleansing Nova only destroys artifact creatures and it is an artifact planeswalker, not an artifact creature. The planeswalker would need to also be a creature to be destroyed.
13. What’s the difference between “destroy” and “exile”?
“Destroy” sends a permanent to its owner’s graveyard. “Exile” removes the permanent from the game entirely (usually). Permanents that are indestructible can’t be destroyed but can be exiled.
14. Are there cards that are similar to Cleansing Nova but do slightly different things?
Yes, there are many board wipes that target different permanent types. Examples include:
- Wrath of God: Destroys all creatures.
- Austere Command: Offers two modes to choose from, often including destroying all artifacts or all creatures with converted mana cost 3 or less/greater than 3.
- Farewell: Exiles artifacts, creatures, enchantments, and graveyards, offering a more comprehensive reset.
15. What’s the converted mana cost (CMC) of Cleansing Nova?
The converted mana cost of Cleansing Nova is 5 (2 generic mana and 3 white mana). This is an important consideration for deckbuilding and knowing when you can realistically cast it in a game.