Proliferate vs. Hexproof: Can You Circumvent the Untouchable?

Yes, proliferate absolutely bypasses hexproof. Proliferate does not target. Therefore, abilities like hexproof, shroud, and ward, which prevent targeting, have no effect against it. Proliferate simply adds counters to permanents and players that already have them.

Understanding Proliferate and Hexproof

To fully understand why proliferate ignores hexproof, let’s break down each ability:

• Proliferate: Proliferate lets you “choose any number of permanents and/or players that have a counter, then give each exactly one additional counter of a kind that permanent or player already has.” Notice the key word: choose. This is different from target. The rules text uses the word “choose” instead of “target.” Since you’re not technically targeting anything, these abilities don’t protect against it.

• Hexproof: Hexproof states that the creature cannot be targeted by spells or abilities that your opponent controls. It’s a protective shield that prevents opponents from directly aiming spells and abilities at the creature.

The distinction is crucial. Spells and abilities only “target” if they specifically use the word “target” in their rules text or if they are aura spells. Proliferate avoids this altogether, making hexproof irrelevant.

Why Proliferate Works Against Hexproof

The core reason is that proliferate doesn’t target. Instead, it chooses permanents or players that already have counters. The selection process doesn’t involve targeting in the Magic: The Gathering rules sense. Since hexproof only protects against being targeted, proliferate slips right past it.

Think of it this way: hexproof is like a personal bodyguard that prevents direct attacks. Proliferate is like adding water to a glass that already has water in it. The glass (creature with hexproof) isn’t being targeted by anything new, it’s simply getting more of what it already had.

Practical Examples

Imagine a creature with hexproof that has a +1/+1 counter on it. Your opponent casts a spell with proliferate. They can choose that creature, and it will get another +1/+1 counter. The hexproof is completely irrelevant because the creature wasn’t targeted.

Similarly, if a player has poison counters and their opponent uses proliferate, they can choose that player, and the player will get another poison counter. Again, hexproof doesn’t stop this since proliferate isn’t targeting the player.

How Does Proliferate Work in Magic?

Comprehensive Rules 701.24a To proliferate means to choose any number of permanents and/or players that have a counter, then give each exactly one additional counter of a kind that permanent or player already has.

Other Ways to Get Past Hexproof

Proliferate isn’t the only way to interact with permanents with hexproof. Here are a few more:

• Sacrifice Effects: Spells and abilities that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures get around hexproof. These effects target the player, not the creature.

• Board Wipes: Spells like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” destroy all creatures without targeting specific ones, bypassing hexproof.

• Combat Damage: Hexproof doesn’t prevent creatures from taking combat damage.

• Global Effects: Global enchantments or abilities that affect all permanents equally also ignore hexproof.

• -1/-1 Counters: Putting a bunch of -1/-1s on everything, (I’m looking at you Mutilate and Black Sun’s Zenith).

FAQs: Proliferate and Related Abilities

1. Does proliferate count as targeting?

No. Proliferate specifically chooses permanents and players with counters; it doesn’t target them.

2. Can you proliferate +1/+1 counters?

Yes. Proliferate ability allows you to add counters on a given creature only if at least one counter is already present on the given creature. If a creature already has a +1/+1 counter, proliferate can add another one.

3. Does protection stop proliferate?

No. Protection (from a specific color, for example) only prevents damage, enchants, blocks, and targets (DEBT) from sources of that color. Since proliferate doesn’t target, protection doesn’t stop it.

4. Does Deathtouch work against Hexproof?

Yes. Deathtouch is an ability that makes any amount of damage dealt by a creature lethal. Since deathtouch doesn’t involve targeting, hexproof doesn’t prevent it.

5. Is Hexproof immune to Deathtouch?

No, hexproof will not stop deathtouch. Hexproof prevents it from being targeted by spells or abilities.

6. Can a board wipe destroy Hexproof?

Yes. Board wipes that destroy all creatures without targeting can destroy creatures with hexproof.

7. Does Hexproof prevent counterspell?

No. Hexproof applies to the creature once it’s on the battlefield, not to the creature spell while it’s on the stack.

8. Does Hexproof stop Wrath of God?

No. Wrath of God destroys all creatures, not specific ones, so hexproof is ineffective.

9. Does sacrifice bypass Hexproof?

Yes. If a spell or ability causes your opponent to sacrifice a creature, hexproof doesn’t prevent it, as the ability targets the player, not the creature.

10. Is indestructible better than Hexproof?

It depends on the situation. Indestructible prevents destruction, but not exile or -1/-1 counters. Hexproof prevents targeting, but not board wipes or sacrifice effects. Both are powerful, but have weaknesses.

11. Does shroud stop Deathtouch?

Yes. Deathtouch does not involve targeting; it applies when damage is dealt. Since there’s no targeting involved in applying this effect a creature with shroud still dies when it steps on something like Sedge Scorpion.

12. Does indestructible negate Deathtouch?

Yes. Indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed, even by lethal damage from a creature with deathtouch.

13. Does Deathtouch work on Planeswalkers?

No. Deathtouch only applies to creatures. To damage a planeswalker with a creature, you simply deal combat damage.

14. Does regenerate protect from Deathtouch?

Yes. Regeneration replaces destruction. Therefore, it effectively protects against deathtouch.

15. What IS Hexproof?

Hexproof means the creature can’t be the target spells or abilities your opponent’s control.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of targeting versus choosing is essential for playing Magic: The Gathering effectively. Proliferate neatly sidesteps hexproof because it doesn’t target, demonstrating the importance of careful rules interpretation. Remember, hexproof is a powerful shield, but it’s not impenetrable. Plenty of strategies can overcome it!

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