Does Protection From Black Prevent Blocking? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, protection from black does prevent a creature from being blocked by black creatures. This is a core element of how protection works in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding protection is crucial for successful gameplay. It’s more than just a simple defense; it’s a multi-layered ability that can completely shut down certain strategies. This article delves deep into the intricacies of protection from black, covering blocking and a myriad of related scenarios.
Understanding Protection in Magic: The Gathering
The protection ability in Magic is defined by the acronym DEBT:
- Damage: Prevents all damage that would be dealt by sources of the specified quality (in this case, black sources).
- Enchant/Equip: A creature with protection cannot be enchanted or equipped by Auras or Equipment of the specified quality.
- Blocked: A creature with protection cannot be blocked by creatures of the specified quality.
- Targeted: A creature with protection cannot be the target of spells of the specified quality or abilities from sources of that quality.
So, when a creature has protection from black, it’s immune to all these effects originating from black sources. This is more than just a simple defense mechanism.
Blocking with Protection from Black
The blocking aspect of protection is straightforward. If you control a creature with protection from black, and your opponent attacks with a black creature, your creature with protection simply cannot be blocked by that black creature. This can be incredibly advantageous, allowing your protected creature to swing freely and deal damage.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Protection
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding protection in Magic: The Gathering, to further solidify your understanding.
What exactly does “protection from black” do?
Protection from black prevents a creature from being damaged, enchanted/equipped, blocked, or targeted by anything black. This includes creatures, spells, and abilities with a black source.
Does protection from black stop multicolored cards with black in their mana cost?
Yes. Multicolored spells count as all their colors. Therefore, a black/red card is still considered “black”, and protection from black will function accordingly.
If I have protection from green, can I still block a green creature?
Your creature having protection from green does not prevent you from declaring it as a blocker against a green creature. However, the green creature will be unable to block your creature with protection. Your blocker will take no damage from that creature.
Does protection from everything prevent blocking?
Yes, protection from everything means the creature cannot be blocked by any creatures. “Everything” includes all colors, colorless sources, and anything else that could potentially block.
Does protection from everything protect from board wipes?
Protection from everything protects from board wipes that target, deal damage, enchant, or equip. However, if a board wipe doesn’t target, it’s not prevented by protection. For example, a board wipe that exiles all creatures is not stopped by Protection.
Does protection prevent triggered abilities of the protected color?
Protection only prevents things that target, deal damage, block, enchant, or equip. It doesn’t stop triggered abilities or static abilities unless those abilities specifically try to target, deal damage, etc., the protected creature.
Can I target my own creature with protection from black using a black spell?
No. You cannot target your own creature that has protection from black with a black spell, even if you want to.
Does protection from black prevent deathtouch?
Yes. Since protection from black prevents damage from black sources, it also nullifies deathtouch from black creatures or spells. The creature with protection will take no damage, and thus won’t be destroyed by the deathtouch effect.
Does indestructible get around protection?
No. Indestructible and protection are separate abilities. Protection prevents the damage and other effects, while indestructible prevents destruction. Having both is redundant in most cases, but sometimes one can matter when the other doesn’t.
If a black creature has an ETB effect that destroys all creatures, does protection protect against this effect?
If the ETB (Enter the Battlefield) ability of the black creature targets or damages the creature with protection from black, then the protection will prevent the effect. However, if the ability simply destroys all creatures without targeting or dealing damage, protection offers no defense.
How does protection interact with auras?
A creature with protection from black cannot be enchanted by black auras. If an aura is already attached and then the creature gains protection from black, the aura will fall off.
Does hexproof protect from board wipes?
Hexproof only protects against spells or abilities your opponents control that target your creature. It does not protect from board wipes that don’t target.
What happens if a creature gains protection from a color after it has been targeted by a spell of that color?
If a creature gains protection after being targeted, the spell will be countered upon resolution because its target is now illegal. The spell fizzles.
Can you flicker a card that you control?
Yes, in most cases. This can be a useful way to get around effects like protection and hexproof.
Is there a difference between protection from artifacts and protection from colorless?
Yes, protection from artifacts would prevent a creature from being targeted, blocked, damaged, equipped, or enchanted by artifact sources. Protection from colorless would prevent a creature from being targeted, blocked, damaged, equipped, or enchanted by colorless sources. It is important to distinguish the two types.
Mastering Protection: Strategic Implications
Understanding protection isn’t just about knowing the rules; it’s about utilizing them strategically. Knowing when to play a creature with protection from black can completely disrupt your opponent’s strategy, especially in black-heavy metas. It’s an excellent way to force your opponent to find alternative answers or waste valuable resources.
From a design perspective, the concept of protection reflects the complex interplay between rules and strategy in games. If you are interested in game-based learning, be sure to check out the resources at the Games Learning Society website GamesLearningSociety.org, where researchers and educators explore the use of games for educational purposes.
In conclusion, protection from black is a potent ability that offers comprehensive defense. Understanding its nuances is essential for any player looking to elevate their game. Use this knowledge wisely, and you’ll find yourself dominating the battlefield.