Does Hexproof Stop ETB Triggers? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is no, Hexproof does not stop Enter-the-Battlefield (ETB) triggers. Hexproof is a powerful keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering, but it has specific limitations. While it provides excellent protection against targeted spells and abilities from your opponents, it does nothing to stop ETB triggers, which are abilities that activate when a permanent enters the battlefield. Understanding the nuances of Hexproof and ETB triggers is crucial for mastering the game, and this article will delve into the details.
Understanding Hexproof and ETB Triggers
What is Hexproof?
Hexproof is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. This means your opponent cannot directly target a creature, enchantment, or any other permanent with Hexproof using a spell or ability that specifically targets. For instance, a spell that says “destroy target creature” cannot target a creature with Hexproof if the spell is cast by your opponent.
What are Enter-the-Battlefield (ETB) Triggers?
ETB triggers are abilities that automatically activate when a permanent enters the battlefield. These abilities do not target unless explicitly stated in the card text. They typically have a “When [this permanent] enters the battlefield” phrase on the card. These triggers can range from simple effects like drawing a card to more complex ones such as destroying an opponent’s creature.
Why Hexproof Doesn’t Stop ETB Triggers
The key reason why Hexproof does not stop ETB triggers is that ETB triggers are not targeted. The text on cards with ETB triggers usually don’t include the word “target.” Hexproof only prevents spells and abilities controlled by opponents from targeting the permanent with Hexproof. Because ETB triggers are automatic abilities that occur as a result of a permanent entering the battlefield and are not targeted by anyone, Hexproof doesn’t interfere with them.
The Interaction Explained
Let’s use an example to illustrate this:
Imagine you play a creature with Hexproof, and your opponent plays a creature with an ETB trigger that destroys a creature. Even though your creature has Hexproof, the opponent’s ETB trigger will still go onto the stack. This is because the ETB ability isn’t targeting anything yet, it just has to enter the battlefield to go on the stack. Once the trigger goes onto the stack, you would be the one picking what the target will be. The ETB trigger won’t be blocked by Hexproof, and if you have no other creatures to choose as the target, you may be forced to target your own hexproof creature. The Hexproof will not stop this from happening.
Here’s another scenario: Consider a card like Fiend Hunter. When Fiend Hunter enters the battlefield, its ability triggers, and you choose a target creature. Once on the stack, the player that cast the Fiend Hunter choses the target of the ability, not the opponent. Once the target is selected, then the trigger resolves. If the selected target was something with Hexproof, it can still be targeted by the ETB trigger of Fiend Hunter, so the hexproof on a card would do nothing here. Giving Hexproof to something that is already targeted in response to an ETB trigger, will counter that ETB trigger. The key takeaway here is, that it’s not because of hexproof, it’s the nature of the game mechanics that is doing this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that will provide a deeper understanding of Hexproof and how it interacts with other game mechanics:
1. Does Hexproof protect against board wipes?
No, Hexproof does not protect against board wipes. Board wipes typically do not target specific creatures; instead, they affect all creatures on the battlefield or those of a specific color. Since they do not target, Hexproof offers no protection. For example, a spell that says “Destroy all creatures” will affect creatures with Hexproof.
2. Does Hexproof stop sacrifice effects?
No, Hexproof does not stop sacrifice effects. Sacrifice effects typically target the player and not the creatures. If a spell or ability says “Target player sacrifices a creature,” the player must still sacrifice a creature, even if it has Hexproof. Hexproof only prevents direct targeting of the permanent with Hexproof itself.
3. Can you enchant a creature with Hexproof?
Yes, you can enchant a creature with Hexproof. Hexproof only prevents opponents from targeting the creature. You can still target it with your own spells and abilities, including enchantments, equipment, or spells that grant it additional bonuses.
4. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch?
No, Hexproof does not stop Deathtouch. Deathtouch is an ability that says any damage a creature deals to another creature is enough to destroy that creature. Deathtouch does not target; it is a passive ability that interacts with combat damage.
5. Does Hexproof stop planeswalker abilities?
No, Hexproof stops targeted planeswalker abilities from targeting a permanent you control. However, it does not stop non-targeted abilities such as the ultimate abilities of planeswalkers. Just like with creatures, if an ability does not target, Hexproof will not stop it.
6. Can you counter ETB triggers?
Generally, no, you cannot counter ETB triggers. Once a creature has entered the battlefield and its ETB ability has triggered, the ability is already on the stack. Unless you have a counterspell designed to stop abilities, or if you somehow remove or flicker the creature before the ETB ability can resolve, you will not be able to stop it.
7. Does Hexproof stop counterspells?
No, Hexproof does not stop counterspells. Counterspells target the spell on the stack, not the creature after it has resolved. Because of this, counterspells can be used on a creature that has the word ‘hexproof’ on the card, but is still on the stack. A creature with hexproof has hexproof after it enters the battlefield.
8. Does the Legend rule affect ETB triggers?
Yes, but not how you might think. The Legend rule, which forces players to sacrifice additional copies of legendary permanents, is a state-based action. The game checks for state-based actions before ETB triggers go on the stack. This means you will have to choose which legendary permanent to keep before any of the ETB triggers from those permanents go on the stack. This does not stop ETBs from resolving, it only affects the order the game does checks.
9. Does copying count as an ETB trigger?
No, creating a copy of a permanent does not trigger ETB abilities. Copying a permanent is a separate action. If a card says, “When this creature enters the battlefield…” then creating a copy of that permanent will not trigger that. This is because it is not entering the battlefield, it is a copy being made on the battlefield.
10. Can you flicker a creature to trigger ETB again?
Yes, flickering (exiling a permanent and then returning it to the battlefield immediately) will trigger the ETB ability again, as that card is being put onto the battlefield again. This is an excellent way to repeatedly use powerful ETB abilities.
11. Does Hexproof prevent tapping?
Yes and no. Hexproof prevents an opponent’s spell or ability from targetting the permanent to tap it. However, if a spell or ability does not target a creature or card with hexproof, then it can still be tapped. An example of this would be using Emrakul, the Promised End and taking control of your opponents turn. The card does not target creatures, so it can still tap hexproof creatures.
12. Does “destroy all” destroy hexproof creatures?
Yes, “destroy all” cards will destroy Hexproof creatures because the cards do not target any specific creatures. Therefore, Hexproof will not protect it. This is because the card says “destroy all” and does not say “destroy target creature”.
13. Does Hexproof stop targeted triggered abilities?
Yes, Hexproof can stop targeted triggered abilities from opponents. A triggered ability will go on the stack, and then the user will choose a target when it resolves. This will only stop a triggered ability if the target is a creature controlled by that opponent, and they want to target your Hexproof creature with it. If the ability has already been triggered, or is about to resolve, and the user wants to target your Hexproof creature, then it will not be a valid target.
14. Is Hexproof better than indestructible?
Hexproof and indestructible are powerful, but different. Hexproof protects against targeted removal, while indestructible protects against destruction effects. Neither is strictly better, as they each have weaknesses. Indestructible creatures can still be exiled or sacrificed, and Hexproof creatures can still be destroyed by board wipes or sacrificed.
15. Does proliferate get around Hexproof?
Yes, the proliferate mechanic can affect permanents with hexproof because it does not target. Proliferate lets you choose a permanent with counters and add one more of each type of counter the permanent has on it. This action is not targetted, which means it will work through Hexproof.
Conclusion
Hexproof is a potent ability in Magic: The Gathering, providing excellent protection against targeted spells and abilities. However, it’s essential to understand its limitations. Hexproof does not stop Enter-the-Battlefield (ETB) triggers, and recognizing this distinction is crucial for effective gameplay. By understanding how Hexproof interacts with various game mechanics, you can better navigate the complexities of Magic: The Gathering and develop effective strategies.