Does Hexproof Stop Card Abilities? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: Yes, Hexproof stops card abilities, but only in specific situations. Specifically, Hexproof prevents a permanent or player from being the target of abilities controlled by an opponent. This distinction is crucial, as not all card abilities target. Understanding this nuance is vital for mastering the strategic depth of card games like Magic: The Gathering.
Understanding the Core of Hexproof
Hexproof, in essence, is a protective keyword ability. It bestows a shield that deflects any targeting spells or abilities controlled by your opponents. It doesn’t make a creature invincible or immune to all forms of removal. Instead, it makes it difficult for your opponent to directly interact with that specific card.
It’s crucial to differentiate between abilities that target and those that do not. For example, an ability that says “Destroy target creature” is completely negated by Hexproof. However, an ability that says “Destroy all creatures” will bypass Hexproof entirely. This is because, in the latter example, the creatures are not being individually targeted.
What Hexproof Blocks
- Targeted Abilities: If an opponent’s ability uses the word “target,” then Hexproof will prevent that ability from affecting the protected card. This is a blanket protection against anything your opponent aims directly at your card with hexproof.
- Planeswalker Abilities: As they are a form of ability, Planeswalker abilities that target cannot target your hexproof permanents (that you do not control).
- Triggered Abilities: Similar to activated abilities, triggered abilities that specify a target cannot target a permanent that you control with hexproof, as long as the triggered ability is controlled by your opponent.
What Hexproof Does Not Block
- Non-Targeted Abilities: Abilities that affect multiple cards without using the word “target” (like a board wipe) will ignore Hexproof.
- Sacrifice Effects: Forced sacrifice effects that target a player rather than the specific card are not affected by Hexproof. If an opponent is made to “sacrifice a creature,” and that is the only creature on your side with hexproof, then they will still have to sacrifice it.
- Deathtouch: Deathtouch is not a targeting ability; it only affects creatures that have been dealt damage. Hence, deathtouch remains effective against creatures with hexproof.
- Damage: Hexproof does not stop damage. It only prevents the card from being the target of an ability.
- Your Own Abilities: Hexproof only affects your opponent’s spells and abilities. You can still target your own cards with hexproof.
- Effects in Graveyards or Libraries: Hexproof doesn’t protect a card in your graveyard or library from spells that interact with those zones.
- Tapping Abilities: Tapping abilities can still affect hexproof creatures if it does not target. For example, an ability that says, “tap all creatures” can affect hexproof creatures, but an ability that says “tap target creature” cannot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hexproof
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Hexproof and its interaction with card abilities:
- Does Hexproof protect against all spells?
No, it only protects against spells that target a player or permanent controlled by you that you don’t control with Hexproof. Non-targeted effects, like board wipes, ignore Hexproof. - Can my opponent use removal spells on my hexproof creature?
If the removal spell uses the word “target”, then no. If not, then yes. Removal spells that don’t target, like “destroy all creatures”, work. - Does Hexproof work against deathtouch?
No. Deathtouch is not a targeting ability. Any amount of damage from a source with deathtouch is lethal, even if the creature has Hexproof. - Can I enchant or buff my own hexproof creature?
Yes. Hexproof only protects against your opponent’s spells and abilities. You can freely target your own hexproof permanents. - Does Hexproof protect against forced sacrifice?
It depends. If a spell or ability targets you and makes you sacrifice a creature, Hexproof doesn’t prevent it. But if the spell or ability targets the creature, it will not work. - Does Hexproof block triggered abilities?
Yes, if the triggered ability is controlled by your opponent and includes the word “target”. If an ability does not target it can affect hexproof. - What about Planeswalker abilities? Are those blocked?
Yes. Just like any other ability, a Planeswalker ability that targets a player or permanent can’t target your cards with hexproof if you don’t control the planeswalker. - Can a “destroy all” effect bypass Hexproof?
Yes. “Destroy all” effects do not target, and therefore can affect cards with Hexproof. - Does Hexproof stop my opponent from tapping my creature?
It depends. If the effect is a targetting ability then hexproof will protect. However, if it does not target it will work. For example, an ability that says “tap all creatures” can affect hexproof creatures, but an ability that says “tap target creature” cannot. - Does proliferate get around hexproof?
Yes. Proliferate does not target so hexproof does not protect against it. - Does protection stop board wipes?
No, protection does not stop board wipes if they don’t target or damage, enchant, equip, block, or target that specific card. - Is there a difference between Hexproof and Indestructible?
Yes. Hexproof stops targeting, indestructible stops destruction. Neither protects from exiling. Indestructible is often defeated by exiling, tucking, or reducing its toughness to 0, while hexproof succumbs to non-targeting removal and sacrifice effects. - Does destroy all creatures work on indestructible?
No. Indestructible creatures are immune to any effect that destroys. - Does Hexproof protect against instants and sorceries?
Yes, if they target. Hexproof will prevent a spell or ability from affecting your creature or player if the word “target” is used in the spell or ability. - Does deathtouch cancel deathtouch?
No. There is no interaction between two creatures with deathtouch that would cancel the ability. Damage from a source with deathtouch is lethal, no matter the source’s power.
Conclusion: Strategic Use of Hexproof
Hexproof is a powerful defensive ability, but it’s not foolproof. Understanding its limitations and the subtleties of how it interacts with different abilities is crucial for strategic card play. It shields against targeted removal and allows you to build up your threats, but remember that it is not invincible to all of your opponents’ strategies. By grasping these nuances, you can leverage Hexproof to its full potential and gain an edge in your battles.