Does Indestructible Stop Trample in Magic: The Gathering?
The short answer is no, indestructible does not stop trample. While an indestructible creature can’t be destroyed by combat damage, the attacking creature with trample still needs to assign lethal damage to the blocking, indestructible creature before any excess damage can trample over to the defending player or planeswalker.
Think of it like this: trample cares about assigning enough damage to “kill” the blocker. Indestructible simply ignores the “killing” part. The trampling creature still has to go through the motions of dealing lethal damage to the blocker before moving on.
The Nuances of Indestructible and Trample
Understanding how these two mechanics interact is crucial for skillful play in Magic: The Gathering. Indestructible provides fantastic resilience, but it isn’t a complete shield. Trample, on the other hand, ensures that excess damage finds its way to the intended target. Let’s dive deeper into the relationship.
How Trample Works
Trample allows an attacking creature to assign damage beyond what’s needed to destroy a blocking creature to the defending player or planeswalker. The attacker decides how the damage is assigned, but must assign enough to each blocker to deal lethal damage.
How Indestructible Works
Indestructible means that the permanent can’t be destroyed by damage or effects that specifically say “destroy.” However, it doesn’t prevent damage from being dealt. The creature can still be dealt damage and have that damage marked on it. It simply ignores the result of lethal damage: destruction.
Combining the Two
When a trampling creature attacks into an indestructible blocker, the trampling creature must assign what would be lethal damage to the indestructible creature. This means assigning damage equal to or greater than its toughness, even though that damage won’t destroy it. Any remaining damage can then be assigned to the player or planeswalker being attacked.
Case Examples
Consider these scenarios:
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A 5/5 creature with trample attacks, and is blocked by a 3/3 indestructible creature. The attacker must assign at least 3 damage to the indestructible creature, and can assign the remaining 2 damage to the defending player.
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A 10/10 creature with trample attacks, and is blocked by a 1/1 indestructible creature. The attacker must assign at least 1 damage to the indestructible creature, and can assign the remaining 9 damage to the defending player.
Related Concepts
Understanding other related concepts like Deathtouch, First Strike, and Double Strike can further clarify how trample interacts with blockers:
Deathtouch and Indestructible
Deathtouch makes any amount of damage dealt by a creature lethal. So, a creature with deathtouch and trample needs only assign 1 damage to the indestructible blocker to consider it dealt lethal damage. However, indestructible is immune to deathtouch in the sense that the creature can’t be destroyed by the damage.
First Strike and Trample
If a creature with trample also has First Strike, it deals combat damage during the first combat damage step. If it deals enough damage to the blocker during this step to equal or exceed the blocker’s toughness, it can then trample over the remaining damage during the regular combat damage step.
Double Strike and Trample
Similarly, with Double Strike, a creature assigns combat damage twice. The damage assigned during the first combat damage step is considered when determining how much can trample through in the second combat damage step.
The Importance of Correct Damage Assignment
Correctly assigning damage is essential for optimal play. Failing to assign lethal damage to the indestructible blocker means the remaining damage can’t trample over. Understanding these rules is critical for competitive Magic: The Gathering.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs addressing common questions related to indestructible and trample:
1. Does indestructible prevent damage altogether?
No, indestructible only prevents destruction by damage or “destroy” effects. It doesn’t stop the damage from being dealt or marked.
2. Can a creature with indestructible still be exiled?
Yes, indestructible only protects against destruction. It doesn’t prevent a creature from being exiled, bounced (returned to hand), or sacrificed.
3. If a creature has both deathtouch and trample, how much damage must it assign to an indestructible blocker?
Only 1 damage needs to be assigned, since deathtouch makes any amount of damage lethal.
4. What happens if a blocker with indestructible also has lifelink?
The player controlling the indestructible blocker with lifelink gains life equal to the damage dealt to it. The indestructible creature survives and the controller gains the life.
5. Can a creature with indestructible be affected by -X/-X effects?
Yes, a creature with indestructible can have its toughness reduced by -X/-X effects. If its toughness reaches zero or less, it is put into the graveyard, as that is not considered destroying the creature.
6. Does “prevent all damage” stop trample?
Yes. You only have to assign damage to a defending creature equal to the creature’s toughness; it doesn’t matter if the damage will be prevented. If all damage is prevented, no damage is assigned and none tramples over.
7. Can an indestructible creature be sacrificed?
Yes, indestructible only prevents destruction. Sacrifice is a separate game action, not an effect that destroys a creature.
8. If a creature with trample is blocked by multiple creatures, one of which is indestructible, how does damage assignment work?
You must assign lethal damage to each blocker in the order you choose. You must assign enough to the indestructible blocker to “kill” it (equal to its toughness) before assigning any damage to the defending player.
9. What happens if I give a planeswalker indestructible?
If an effect gives a Planeswalker indestructible, it would survive an effect that says destroy. However, whenever a planeswalker is dealt damage, that many loyalty counters are removed, indestructibility doesn’t stop that from happening.
10. Does Hexproof prevent trample?
Hexproof has nothing to do with Trample. Hexproof means the creature can’t be the target spells or abilities your opponent’s control. Trample cares about how much damage to assign to the creatures that block the attacking creature.
11. Does First Strike affect how trample and indestructible interact?
Yes, First Strike affects the interaction between trample and indestructible. If the creature with trample has First Strike, the blocker would need to receive lethal damage in the First Strike combat damage step for the trample damage to be able to be dealt.
12. Can a creature with indestructible be destroyed by a board wipe?
It depends on the board wipe. If the board wipe is one that destroys or damages creatures it would be unaffected. If the board wipe exiles or gives -X/-X to creatures, it would be affected.
13. Does the legend rule kill indestructible?
Yes, the legend rule forces you to sacrifice one of the legendary permanents. Indestructible doesn’t stop you from being forced to sacrifice the permanent.
14. What happens when Blasphemous Act hits an indestructible creature?
Indestructible doesn’t prevent damage. It just says “lethal damage doesn’t kill this creature.” A creature with indestructible can still be dealt damage, it just won’t be destroyed because of it.
15. If my indestructible creature has 0 toughness, what happens?
If a creature with indestructible has zero or less toughness, it is put into the graveyard because State Based Actions say so. This isn’t an effect that destroys the creature.
Conclusion
Understanding the interplay between indestructible and trample is vital for mastering Magic: The Gathering. While indestructible offers significant protection, it doesn’t negate the need to assign lethal damage to blockers before trampling over. Mastering these nuances can provide a competitive edge in your gameplay.