Does Hexproof Apply to Artifacts? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, hexproof absolutely applies to artifacts. Hexproof is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by their opponents. This protection extends to all permanent types, including artifacts. So, if an artifact has hexproof, your opponents can’t target it with their removal spells, equipment-destroying abilities, or any other effect that specifically targets it. This makes hexproof a valuable asset in strategies that rely on key artifact pieces. Understanding how hexproof interacts with artifacts is crucial for mastering MTG gameplay.

Understanding Hexproof in Detail

Hexproof’s strength lies in its ability to shut down pinpoint removal. It’s a proactive defense, preventing your opponent from directly interfering with your strategy. However, it’s important to remember that hexproof only protects against targeting. This means that non-targeting effects, like board wipes or sacrifice effects that target a player rather than the artifact itself, can still affect your hexproof artifacts. Understanding this distinction is critical for both playing with and playing against hexproof strategies.

What Hexproof Protects Against

Hexproof offers protection from a wide range of threats. Primarily, it shields your artifacts from targeted removal spells such as:

• Direct destruction spells: Cards like “Murder” or “Naturalize” that specifically target and destroy a permanent.

• Targeted exile effects: Spells like “Swords to Plowshares” or “Path to Exile” that remove a permanent from the game.

• Control-changing abilities: Effects that would allow your opponent to gain control of your artifact.

• Equipping and enchanting by opponents: Prevents your opponent from attaching their equipment or enchantments to your artifact if those auras target the permanent as part of casting the spell.

What Hexproof Doesn’t Protect Against

While hexproof is powerful, it’s not an impenetrable shield. It’s crucial to know what it doesn’t protect against:

• Non-targeting effects: This is the biggest weakness. Spells that destroy all artifacts, like “Shattering Spree” or “Austere Command,” will still affect your hexproof artifacts because they don’t target.

• Sacrifice effects targeting the player: Some cards force a player to sacrifice a permanent. If the card targets the player and not the artifact directly, hexproof won’t help.

• Combat damage: Hexproof has no bearing on combat. Your artifact can still be blocked and destroyed by a creature, even if that creature has deathtouch.

• Effects that indirectly affect artifacts: Something like the triggered ability of Stony Silence, which prevents artifacts from activating abilities, is not stopped by Hexproof because Stony Silence doesn’t target.

Strategies for Playing with Hexproof Artifacts

Knowing how to leverage hexproof artifacts can significantly improve your gameplay. Here are some key strategies:

• Build around them: If your deck relies on specific artifacts, prioritize finding ways to give them hexproof, either through equipment, enchantments, or abilities.

• Pair with other protection: Combining hexproof with indestructible or other forms of protection can create incredibly resilient artifacts that are difficult for your opponents to deal with.

• Bait removal: Sometimes, it’s strategically sound to play a less crucial artifact and let your opponent waste their removal on it before deploying your key hexproof artifact.

• Be aware of non-targeting removal: Always keep in mind that board wipes and other non-targeting effects can bypass hexproof. Consider having backup plans or ways to rebuild your board.

Strategies for Playing Against Hexproof Artifacts

Facing down a hexproof artifact can be frustrating, but there are effective strategies to overcome this challenge:

• Use non-targeting removal: Board wipes and other spells that affect all permanents are your best friend.

• Force sacrifices: Cards that force your opponent to sacrifice permanents can bypass hexproof.

• Ignore them: Sometimes, the best approach is to focus on developing your own board and ignoring the hexproof artifact altogether. This can be particularly effective if the artifact isn’t directly impacting your ability to win the game.

• Exploit other vulnerabilities: Hexproof doesn’t protect against everything. Look for ways to disrupt your opponent’s strategy through other means, such as attacking their life total or disrupting their mana base.

FAQs About Hexproof and Artifacts

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how hexproof interacts with artifacts:

1. Can you Hexproof an artifact creature?

Yes, you can. Hexproof applies to all permanent types, including artifact creatures.

2. Does Hexproof stop artifact abilities?

No, Hexproof does not stop the activation of abilities by artifacts. It only protects the artifact from being targeted by your opponents’ spells or abilities. An exception to this is if the ability itself targets.

3. Does Hexproof protect from enchantments controlled by my opponent?

Only if they target to attach to the Hexproof permanent. Auras that target during casting can’t be attached to a permanent with Hexproof.

4. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch?

No. Deathtouch does not target. It’s an effect that occurs when combat damage is dealt.

5. Does Hexproof protect from Planeswalkers’ abilities controlled by my opponent?

Yes, if the Planeswalker ability targets your artifact. If a Planeswalker has a -X ability that says, “Destroy target artifact,” Hexproof will stop that from affecting your artifact.

6. Does Hexproof stop destroy all effects?

No. “Destroy all artifacts” effects do not target, so Hexproof does not protect against them.

7. Is shroud or Hexproof better for artifacts?

It depends on the situation. Hexproof allows you to target your own artifact with your own spells and abilities, while your opponent cannot. Shroud prevents anyone from targeting the artifact, including you.

8. How does protection from artifacts work?

Protection from artifacts means the permanent can’t be damaged by artifacts, enchanted by artifact auras, equipped by artifact equipment, or targeted by artifact spells or abilities.

9. Can you proliferate someone with Hexproof?

Yes, proliferate does not target. It adds counters to permanents and/or players that already have them.

10. Do creature abilities affect Hexproof artifacts?

Yes, creature abilities can affect Hexproof artifacts, if they don’t target. For example, if a creature has an ability that says, “All artifacts get -1/-1,” that will affect a Hexproof artifact creature.

11. Can you sacrifice a creature with Hexproof if an opponent targets you with a sacrifice effect?

Yes. If the effect targets you and forces you to sacrifice a creature, Hexproof doesn’t prevent you from sacrificing your Hexproof creature.

12. Does Hexproof stop counterspells?

No. Counterspells target spells on the stack, not permanents on the battlefield. Hexproof only protects permanents on the battlefield.

13. Does Hexproof remove enemy enchantments already attached to it?

No. Hexproof only prevents new enchantments from being attached by your opponents.

14. What kills Hexproof artifacts?

Non-targeting effects like board wipes are effective. Also, sacrifice effects that target the player.

15. Is indestructible better than Hexproof for artifacts?

Again, it depends. Indestructible prevents destruction, but not exile or bouncing. Hexproof prevents targeting, but not non-targeting removal. Often, having both is the ideal scenario.

Conclusion

Hexproof is a valuable defensive tool for protecting your artifacts from targeted removal. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to play both with and against it, is essential for success in Magic: The Gathering. Remember to always consider the broader game state and your opponent’s potential answers when deploying hexproof artifacts. Want to delve deeper into the educational aspects of games like MTG? Explore the work of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org and discover how games can be powerful tools for learning and development.