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Does Protection Remove Auras? A Comprehensive Guide

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Yes, protection typically removes Auras. The mechanics of protection in card games, like Magic: The Gathering, dictate that a permanent with protection from a specific quality (such as a color) cannot be targeted, damaged, enchanted/equipped, or blocked by sources of that quality. Since Auras are enchantments that target a permanent, granting a permanent protection from the Aura’s color will cause the Aura to fall off. This is a state-based action, meaning it happens automatically the next time the game checks for these conditions.

However, there are nuances and exceptions. Let’s delve into the specifics. Protection’s influence on Auras is a complex interplay of rules and specific card interactions. Understanding these interactions is crucial for strategic gameplay. The most common way to protect something is with protection from a color.

Understanding Protection and Auras: The Nitty-Gritty

To fully grasp how protection affects auras, we need to break down the core concepts.

Protection: A keyword ability that prevents certain actions from affecting a permanent. It usually takes the form “Protection from [quality],” where the quality is most often a color, but can also be card types (like “Protection from Artifacts”) or names. Remember the acronym DEBT to understand what protection does:
- Damage from sources with the stated quality is prevented.
- The permanent can’t be Enchanted or equipped by Auras or Equipment with the stated quality.
- The permanent can’t be Blocked by creatures with the stated quality.
- The permanent can’t be Targeted by spells with the stated quality or abilities from sources with the stated quality.
Auras: A type of enchantment permanent that is attached to another permanent (or player). Auras require a target to be cast and remain attached as long as their target remains legal and in play. If the target becomes illegal (e.g., gains protection from the Aura’s color), the Aura is put into the graveyard as a state-based action.
State-Based Actions (SBAs): Automatic game rules that are checked before any player receives priority. SBAs handle things like removing damage from creatures, putting creatures with lethal damage into the graveyard, and detaching illegal Auras.

The Standard Scenario: Aura Removal

When a permanent gains protection from a color, any Auras of that color attached to it will be detached and put into the graveyard. For example, if you control a creature enchanted with a blue Aura, and that creature gains protection from blue, the blue Aura will immediately fall off.

Exceptions and Nuances

Not all Auras are created equal. There are specific situations where Auras can bypass protection.

Auras that Grant Protection: Some Auras themselves grant protection. In this case, the timing of when they are cast or enter the battlefield can matter. An example mentioned in the document, Spectra Ward, specifically states that it doesn’t cause auras to be removed when it enchants a creature.
Auras Enchanting Players: Protection interacts differently with Auras enchanting players. If a player gains protection from a color, Auras of that color attached to them will still fall off.
Auras and Gods: In some cases, auras will fall off of gods when they are no longer creatures as auras will fall off a god if it’s no longer one of the types that the aura can enchant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between protection and auras:

Does protection from a color prevent abilities from enchantments?

No, protection from a color only protects against spells and abilities that originate from sources of that color. It does not protect against abilities of the permanent itself, even if it’s a colored enchantment.
If an Aura gives a creature protection, will other Auras fall off?

Normally, yes. However, it is possible for the granting Aura to make an exception. The Aura would need to specifically say that it does not remove any Auras. Note enchantment auras that give protection will sometimes allow other auras to remain.
Can you destroy an Aura attached to a creature with protection?

Yes. Protection prevents targeting by spells or abilities of the specified quality. You can still target the Aura itself with a spell or ability to destroy it.
Does protection prevent exile effects targeting an enchanted creature?

Not always. Protection only prevents targeting from sources of the specified color. If an exile effect doesn’t target (e.g., a board wipe that exiles all creatures), protection won’t prevent the enchanted creature from being exiled. This is why board wipes are effective.
What happens when an Aura phases out while attached to a creature with protection?

When the Aura phases back in, it will reattach to the creature only if the creature is still a legal target. If the creature has gained protection from the Aura’s color in the meantime, the Aura will phase in unattached and go to the graveyard.
Does protection from a color include spells?

Yes. Protection from a color prevents the permanent from being the target of spells of that color.
If I blink an Aura, can I attach it to a creature with protection from its color?

No. When the blinked Aura returns, you must choose a legal target. A creature with protection from the Aura’s color is not a legal target, so you cannot attach it to that creature.
Does protection remove equipment?

Yes, protection will cause equipment to fall off.
Do board wipes get around protection?

Yes, board wipes typically get around protection because they don’t target.
Does protection from a color prevent abilities?

Only abilities from sources of that color are prevented.
What is the color of protection aura?

White, silver, black, and blue are often associated with protection. White and silver are considered to be pure and clean colors that can offer spiritual protection. Black can be protective by absorbing negative energy.
Do auras fall off gods?

An aura falls off a god if it’s no longer one of the types that the aura can enchant. This is most commonly the case with the Theros gods.
How does protection from color work?

A creature with protection from one or more colors of magic cannot be affected by any magic of those colors. For example, a creature with protection from blue cannot be blocked by blue creatures, dealt damage by blue creatures, or enchanted, damaged, or otherwise affected by blue cards.
Can you destroy an aura?

Yes, you can destroy an aura. If the object an aura is enchanting gets destroyed, exiled, or otherwise removed from play, the aura goes to the graveyard. Similarly, if at any point the enchanted object is no longer a legal target for the aura, the aura will go to the graveyard.
Who controls an aura?

An Aura’s controller is separate from the enchanted object’s controller or the enchanted player; the two need not be the same. If an Aura enchants an object, changing control of the object doesn’t change control of the Aura, and vice versa. Only the Aura’s controller can activate its abilities.

Strategic Implications

Understanding the relationship between protection and auras has significant strategic implications:

Playing Around Protection: If you’re playing against an opponent who can grant their creatures protection, consider using Auras of a different color or removal spells that don’t target.
Protecting Your Auras: If you’re relying on Auras, be mindful of potential protection effects from your opponent. You can try to bait out protection spells before playing your key Auras or use Auras that provide immediate value even if they’re removed.
Utilizing Auras for Protection: Auras that grant protection can be powerful defensive tools, especially if they can be played at instant speed in response to removal spells.

Conclusion

While protection typically removes Auras, the specifics depend on the type of protection, the Aura’s color, and any specific card interactions. Mastering these nuances can give you a significant edge in card games like Magic: The Gathering. For more on learning and strategy in games, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.