Sacrifice and Hexproof: A Definitive Guide
Yes, sacrifice bypasses Hexproof. Hexproof only protects a permanent from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. Sacrifice effects, however, typically don’t target the permanent being sacrificed. They target the player who controls the permanent, forcing them to make the choice to sacrifice it.
Understanding Hexproof and Targeting
Hexproof is a powerful defensive ability in trading card games like Magic: The Gathering. It prevents your opponents from using spells or abilities that specifically target the permanent with Hexproof. This means direct removal spells like “Lightning Bolt” or “Murder” can’t touch it. However, Hexproof isn’t an absolute shield. It doesn’t protect against effects that don’t target. The crucial point here is understanding what constitutes “targeting.” Only spells and abilities that explicitly use the word “target” (or are Aura spells cast on an opponent’s permanent) are considered targeting.
How Sacrifice Mechanics Work
Sacrifice effects force a player to send one of their permanents (often creatures) to the graveyard. These effects are usually phrased like “Sacrifice a creature” or “Target player sacrifices a creature.” Notice that the spell is targeting the player and not the creature itself. This is the key difference. The player, not the game rules, chooses which creature to sacrifice (assuming the card doesn’t put restrictions on the choice), and this choice is what allows sacrifice to bypass Hexproof.
The Interaction in Action
Imagine your opponent controls a creature with Hexproof. You play a card that says, “Target player sacrifices a creature.” Since the target of the spell is the player, not the creature, your opponent must sacrifice one of their creatures. They can even sacrifice the creature with Hexproof, because Hexproof only prevents your creatures from being targeted, not your opponent.
Beyond Sacrifice: Other Ways to Deal with Hexproof
Sacrifice isn’t the only way to deal with creatures that have hexproof. Other common strategies include:
- Board Wipes (Non-Targeted Removal): Spells like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” destroy all creatures on the battlefield without targeting. These effects bypass Hexproof entirely.
- Combat Damage: Hexproof doesn’t prevent creatures from being blocked and taking combat damage.
- -X/-X Effects: While some of these effects might target, many apply globally, reducing the toughness of all creatures on the battlefield without targeting.
- Exile Effects: Similar to destroy effects, some exile effects don’t target.
- Giving the Creature Away: Some spells allow you to take control of an opponent’s creature, bypasssing the need to target it with removal.
- Effects that trigger upon death: These can affect any creature even if it’s been sacrifced.
FAQs: Deep Diving into Hexproof and Sacrifice
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between sacrifice and Hexproof, along with related concepts:
1. Does Hexproof protect against effects that say “Destroy all creatures”?
No. Effects that say “Destroy all creatures” (like Wrath of God) do not target any specific creature. Therefore, Hexproof provides no protection against them. These are often referred to as “board wipes”.
2. Does Hexproof stop my opponent from forcing me to sacrifice a creature?
No. If your opponent casts a spell that says, “Target player sacrifices a creature,” the target of the spell is you, the player. Your Hexproof creatures are not targeted, so you must sacrifice one of your creatures.
3. What happens if I have a creature with both Hexproof and Indestructible and my opponent casts a spell that makes me sacrifice a creature?
You would have to sacrifice the creature. Indestructible only protects against effects that say “destroy” and lethal damage. Since sacrifice isn’t destroying the creature, Indestructible offers no protection. Since the target of the effect is the player not the creature, hexproof doesn’t apply.
4. If a creature has both Hexproof and Shroud, can it still be sacrificed?
Yes. Both Hexproof and Shroud prevent the creature from being targeted. Sacrifice effects target the player, not the creature.
5. Does Deathtouch affect creatures with Hexproof?
Yes. Deathtouch is an ability that causes any amount of damage dealt by the creature with Deathtouch to be lethal. Deathtouch does not involve targeting, so Hexproof does not prevent it.
6. Can I enchant my own creature with Hexproof using an Aura?
Yes. Hexproof only prevents your opponents from targeting the creature. You can still target your own creature with spells and abilities you control, including Aura spells.
7. Is Shroud better than Hexproof?
It depends on the situation. Hexproof is generally considered better because it only prevents your opponents from targeting the creature. Shroud prevents everyone, including you, from targeting it. This means you can’t buff your own creature with Auras or equipment if it has Shroud.
8. Does “Proliferate” affect permanents with Hexproof?
Yes. Proliferate does not target, so permanents with Hexproof can be chosen.
9. Can Hexproof stop Planeswalker abilities?
Planeswalker abilities that target objects you do not control cannot target permanents with Hexproof. If they don’t target, hexproof doesn’t prevent them.
10. If a creature has Hexproof and is blocking an attacking creature with Double Strike, will it survive both instances of combat damage?
Yes, unless the attacking creature has Deathtouch. In this case, if any damage is dealt, hexproof will prevent being targeted, but deathtouch does not target.
11. If I control a creature with Hexproof, can my opponent still use an ability that triggers when it dies?
Yes. Abilities that trigger upon a creature’s death (for any reason, including being sacrificed) are not affected by Hexproof. Hexproof only prevents targeting.
12. Does Hexproof prevent my opponent from taking control of my creature with a non-targeting effect?
No. If an effect doesn’t target the creature, Hexproof won’t stop your opponent from gaining control of it.
13. Can my opponent exile my creature with Hexproof using a card that exiles all creatures?
Yes. If the exile effect doesn’t target, Hexproof provides no protection.
14. If a card gives all my permanents Hexproof while I’m the monarch, can my opponent still sacrifice them with cards like “Diabolic Edict”?
Yes. The player with the permanents with Hexproof can still be made to sacrifice them. Effects that force players to sacrifice do not target creatures.
15. What’s the difference between Hexproof and Protection?
Hexproof prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. Protection prevents damage, enchanting/equipping, blocking, and being targeted by spells or abilities from a specified source (like “Protection from Red”). Protection offers broader defense against a particular source, whereas Hexproof solely focuses on preventing targeting from opponents.
In Conclusion
While Hexproof is a powerful defensive ability, it’s not impenetrable. Understanding its limitations, especially regarding sacrifice effects, is crucial for success in trading card games. Remember that Hexproof protects against targeting, and sacrifice effects typically target the player, not the permanent. Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll be well-equipped to handle Hexproof creatures. Learn more about the mechanics and strategies of games at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.