Does Indestructible Cancel Trample? The Definitive Guide
No, indestructible does not cancel trample. A creature with indestructible will not be destroyed by lethal damage assigned to it, but the trample ability allows the attacking creature to assign excess damage beyond what’s needed to deal lethal damage to the blocking creature to the defending player or planeswalker. The indestructible creature will still be dealt damage, even though it will not be destroyed. This damage assignment is a crucial distinction in understanding how these two mechanics interact.
Understanding Indestructible and Trample
Let’s break down each ability individually before exploring their interaction.
Indestructible Explained
Indestructible is a static ability that prevents a permanent (usually a creature) from being destroyed by lethal damage or effects that specifically say “destroy.” It’s important to note what indestructible doesn’t do. It doesn’t prevent damage from being dealt to the creature, it doesn’t counter spells or abilities that target the creature, and it doesn’t prevent effects that exile the creature or reduce its toughness to zero. Essentially, it’s a shield against destruction, but not against all forms of removal or negative effects. A creature with indestructible can still be affected by -1/-1 counters, damage, and other effects, they just won’t be destroyed by them.
Trample Explained
Trample is an ability typically found on creatures that allows them to deal excess combat damage to the defending player or planeswalker they’re attacking. The attacker must still assign enough damage to the blocking creature(s) to deal lethal damage to them. However, anything beyond that amount can “trample over” to the player or planeswalker. This makes trample incredibly effective at pushing through damage even when blocked by resilient creatures. The amount of damage that “tramples” over can be strategically important in reducing the opponent’s life total or damaging their planeswalker.
The Interaction: A Detailed Look
When an attacking creature with trample is blocked by a creature with indestructible, the attacker must assign lethal damage to the indestructible blocker. However, since the blocker is indestructible, lethal damage isn’t actually lethal. But the game still requires that lethal damage be assigned. This means you need to assign damage equal to the blocker’s toughness, then all remaining damage will “trample” to the player or planeswalker being attacked.
Here’s a scenario: A 5/5 creature with trample attacks, and is blocked by a 3/3 creature with indestructible. The attacker must assign at least 3 damage to the blocker, and can then assign the remaining 2 damage to the defending player or planeswalker. The blocker will survive (due to indestructible), and the player/planeswalker takes 2 damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further understand the interaction between indestructible and trample, along with other related scenarios:
Q1: If a creature with trample is blocked by multiple creatures, one of which has indestructible, how does damage assignment work?
A1: You must assign lethal damage to each blocking creature in the order you choose. For the indestructible creature, you must assign damage equal to its toughness before assigning any further damage to other blockers or the defending player/planeswalker. You assign damage to the other creatures as needed.
Q2: Can a creature with trample assign zero damage to an indestructible blocker and assign all damage to the player?
A2: No. You must assign at least lethal damage (equal to its toughness) to the indestructible blocker before any damage can trample over.
Q3: What happens if a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with both indestructible and deathtouch?
A3: Deathtouch changes the definition of lethal damage to be any amount of damage. Because the indestructible creature also has deathtouch, the attacker only has to assign 1 damage to the blocker, and the remaining damage can trample over. The indestructible creature doesn’t die, of course, but the opponent still takes the trample damage.
Q4: Does trample ignore protection from creatures?
A4: No, trample does not ignore protection. If a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection from the attacking creature’s color, it cannot deal damage to that creature. The trample damage is then calculated based on the remaining possible damage that can be assigned.
Q5: How does trample interact with a blocker that has a prevention ability?
A5: If a blocker has an ability that prevents damage, such as “prevent the next 2 damage that would be dealt to this creature,” you must still assign lethal damage to the blocker, even if some of that damage is prevented. Any remaining damage can then trample over.
Q6: What if my creature with trample is blocked by a creature with lifelink?
A6: The creature with lifelink will gain life equal to the damage it’s dealt. However, this doesn’t affect how trample works. You assign lethal damage to the blocker, and any excess damage tramples over to the defending player/planeswalker.
Q7: Can I choose not to trample over with my creature if I don’t want to?
A7: No, you cannot choose not to trample. If you assign enough damage to destroy the blocking creature(s) (or assign damage equal to the blocker’s toughness if it has indestructible) and there’s damage remaining, that damage must be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker.
Q8: How does trample interact with creatures that have abilities that trigger “when this creature takes damage”?
A8: The creature’s ability will trigger as normal when it takes damage, even if it’s indestructible. The fact that it won’t be destroyed doesn’t negate the trigger condition.
Q9: If a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with regenerate, what happens?
A9: When a creature regenerates, it is not destroyed. The attacking creature with trample still needs to assign damage equal to the blocker’s toughness to the blocker. If there is any excess damage remaining, the defending player or planeswalker will receive it.
Q10: Does indestructible stop combat damage?
A10: No, indestructible does not stop combat damage. It only prevents a creature from being destroyed by lethal damage or “destroy” effects. The creature still takes the damage, and any relevant triggered abilities (like those that trigger when damage is taken) will still occur.
Q11: If a creature with indestructible blocks a creature with trample, does the blocker deal combat damage?
A11: Yes, the indestructible creature still deals combat damage as normal during the combat damage step, assuming it survives until that point. Indestructible only affects destruction, not the ability to deal damage.
Q12: What happens if I assign more damage than the blocker’s toughness but the blocker has protection from the source of the damage?
A12: The protection ability will prevent all damage from that source from being dealt to the blocker. In this case, you would not assign damage to the blocker. If no damage is assigned to the blocker, you can not trample over to the defending player or planeswalker.
Q13: Where can I learn more about complex card interactions in trading card games?
A13: A great place to expand your knowledge of TCG mechanics and the broader applications of game design principles is the Games Learning Society. Their work explores the intersection of games and learning, offering insights relevant to both players and educators. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Q14: Does hexproof stop trample damage?
A14: Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. It does not prevent damage from combat, so trample will still work as described above.
Q15: Can indestructible creatures be exiled?
A15: Yes, indestructible only protects against destruction. Effects that exile a creature will still work, bypassing the indestructible ability entirely. Similarly, effects that reduce a creature’s toughness to 0 will also result in the creature being put into the graveyard, even with indestructible.
By understanding the nuances of these interactions, you can better navigate complex board states and make informed decisions during your games. Remember, knowing the rules inside and out is the key to mastering any game!