Does Indestructible Prevent Trample? The Definitive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is no, indestructible does not prevent trample. Trample is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) that allows a creature to deal excess combat damage beyond what’s needed to assign lethal damage to a blocking creature to the defending player or planeswalker. Indestructible simply means a permanent cannot be destroyed by damage or “destroy” effects; it does not change how trample functions. The attacking creature with trample still assigns combat damage as normal, and any damage beyond lethal damage for each blocker is dealt to the player or planeswalker being attacked.
Understanding Indestructible and Trample Mechanics
To fully grasp why indestructible doesn’t stop trample, it’s essential to understand how both abilities work independently and in combat scenarios.
Indestructible Explained
Indestructible is a static ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed by two main methods:
- Lethal Damage: Damage dealt to an indestructible permanent will mark it, but it won’t be destroyed. The damage remains on the permanent until the cleanup step.
- “Destroy” Effects: Spells or abilities that specifically state “destroy target creature” (or similar wording) have no effect on an indestructible permanent.
However, indestructible doesn’t prevent other things:
- Sacrifice: An effect that forces you to sacrifice a permanent still works, even if it’s indestructible.
- Exile: Permanents can be exiled regardless of whether they are indestructible.
- Negative Toughness: If a creature’s toughness becomes zero or less (through -X/-X effects, for example), it will still be put into the graveyard, even if it’s indestructible.
- Loss of Indestructible: If the permanent loses the indestructible ability itself, it becomes vulnerable to destruction as normal.
- Combat Damage from a Creature without Trample: While the indestructible creature survives, it still blocks.
Trample Explained
Trample modifies how an attacking creature assigns combat damage. Here’s the breakdown:
- Normally, an attacking creature must assign lethal damage to each blocking creature before assigning any damage to the defending player or planeswalker.
- Trample allows the attacking creature to assign damage beyond what’s needed to deal lethal damage to the blocking creature and assign that excess damage to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking.
- The key here is the term “lethal damage.” In the case of an indestructible blocker, what is considered lethal damage?
Trample and Indestructible in Combat: The Interaction
When a creature with trample is blocked by an indestructible creature, the attacker must still assign lethal damage to the blocker. Since the indestructible creature won’t be destroyed by damage, “lethal damage” is considered to be damage equal to its toughness. The remainder of the damage can be “trampled over” to the defending player or planeswalker.
Example:
Imagine a 5/5 creature with trample attacking, blocked by a 3/3 creature with indestructible.
- The attacking player must assign 3 damage to the indestructible blocker (the 3/3 creature). Although the 3 damage does not destroy the blocker because it is indestructible, it is still considered lethal damage in this scenario.
- The remaining 2 damage can be assigned to the defending player.
Why Indestructible Doesn’t Stop Trample
Indestructible doesn’t change the amount of damage required to be assigned to a blocker; it only changes whether the damage will actually destroy it. Trample cares about lethal damage assignment, not lethal damage outcome. The attacker still needs to account for the blocker’s toughness when determining how much damage to assign before trampling over.
Strategic Implications
Understanding this interaction is crucial for strategic play. Indestructible creatures are excellent at blocking because they absorb damage without being destroyed, but they don’t prevent trample damage from reaching you. This means you need to consider other defensive options if you’re facing a large creature with trample.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if a creature with trample is blocked by multiple indestructible creatures?
The attacking player must assign lethal damage (equal to the toughness) to each blocking indestructible creature before assigning any damage to the defending player.
2. Does lifelink interact with trample when blocking an indestructible creature?
Yes. You gain life equal to the total damage dealt by your creature with lifelink, including the damage assigned to the indestructible blocker and any damage that tramples over.
3. If a creature has both indestructible and deathtouch, does trample still apply?
Yes, trample still applies. Deathtouch only means that any amount of damage assigned by the deathtouch creature is considered lethal damage. Because the indestructible blocker won’t be destroyed by 1 damage it is necessary to assign the blockers toughness in damage. The trample damage will proceed from that point. The attacker must assign damage equal to the indestructible blocker’s toughness before any damage tramples over to the defending player.
4. Can I redirect trample damage?
No, you cannot generally redirect trample damage once it’s been assigned. Once the attacker has chosen how to assign damage, that assignment stands unless something specifically changes the creature’s power or toughness, or removes blockers from combat.
5. What if the indestructible creature has protection from the attacking creature’s color?
Protection prevents damage, among other things. If the indestructible creature has protection from the attacking creature’s color, no damage can be assigned to it. Therefore, all the damage can be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker.
6. Does the order of blockers matter when facing a creature with trample and multiple indestructible blockers?
Yes, the attacking player assigns damage in the order they choose the blockers. They must assign lethal damage (equal to toughness) to the first blocker before assigning any to the second, and so on. The order of blockers can affect how much damage tramples over.
7. What if the attacking creature with trample is also indestructible?
The blocking creature still absorbs damage as normal, and trample still functions the same way. The attacking creature simply survives the combat encounter regardless of the damage it takes.
8. Does regenerate prevent trample?
No, regenerate replaces being destroyed with a series of actions (removing damage, tapping the creature, and removing it from combat). However, regenerate doesn’t stop damage assignment or alter how trample functions. The attacker still assigns “lethal damage” equal to the toughness to the regenerated blocker.
9. If a creature has both indestructible and hexproof, how does trample work against it?
Hexproof only prevents the creature from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. It doesn’t affect combat or trample. Trample functions as normal: damage equal to toughness must be assigned.
10. What are some good ways to deal with creatures with trample and/or indestructible?
- Exile Effects: These remove the creature from the game entirely, bypassing indestructible.
- Sacrifice Effects: These force the opponent to sacrifice the creature, which indestructible doesn’t prevent.
- -X/-X Effects: Reducing a creature’s toughness to zero or less, even with indestructible, will send it to the graveyard.
- Creature Removal that Doesn’t Destroy: Examples include bouncing the creature back to your opponent’s hand or putting it on top of their library.
- Pacifism Effects: Preventing the creature from attacking in the first place removes the trample threat.
11. Can I use a combat trick to change the toughness of my indestructible creature during combat to reduce trample damage?
Yes. If you can increase the toughness of your indestructible creature before damage assignment, the attacking player must assign more damage to the blocker, potentially reducing the trample damage. Conversely, reducing the toughness will reduce the amount of damage required to be assigned.
12. How does protection interact with trample?
If a creature has protection from a quality (e.g., protection from red), it can’t be damaged by sources of that quality. If a creature with trample has a source of damage that a blocking creature is protected from, then it will deal all damage to the player.
13. Can I prevent trample damage with a Fog effect (e.g., Fog, Holy Day)?
Yes. A Fog effect prevents all combat damage that would be dealt that turn. This prevents all trample damage as well.
14. If an indestructible creature blocks a creature with trample and double strike, how much damage is assigned?
In the first combat damage step, the attacking player must assign lethal damage (equal to toughness) to the indestructible blocker. If there is damage remaining, it tramples over to the defending player. In the second combat damage step, because the blocker is still there, damage must be assigned to the indestructible blocker again equal to its toughness. Again if there is damage remaining, it tramples over to the defending player.
15. Are there situations where indestructible does indirectly counter trample?
Yes, in a very specific sense. If you control multiple blockers, including an indestructible blocker with a very high toughness, the attacker may be forced to assign a significant portion of their damage to the indestructible creature, reducing the amount that can trample over. This is less about countering trample and more about strategically using indestructible as a damage sink.
Conclusion
While indestructible provides excellent protection against destruction, it doesn’t negate the effects of trample. Understanding this nuanced interaction is critical for effective gameplay. Indestructible will allow your creatures to survive, but it won’t necessarily protect you from taking damage from a trampling attacker. Strategic planning and proper threat assessment are key to navigating these combat scenarios successfully. Learning about game mechanics like these can be enhanced through resources and communities like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org. You can find out how educators use games for learning purposes through the Games Learning Society.