Trample vs. Protection: A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, trample absolutely works against creatures with protection. The interaction between these two abilities in Magic: The Gathering can be a bit nuanced, but the key takeaway is that protection doesn’t negate trample. A creature with trample simply needs to assign what would be lethal damage to the blocking creature with protection; the fact that the damage is prevented by the protection ability is irrelevant. The remaining damage can then be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker. Let’s delve into the details and common scenarios.
Understanding Trample and Protection
First, let’s quickly define these two crucial keywords:
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Trample: This ability modifies how an attacking creature assigns combat damage. Normally, all damage must be assigned to blocking creatures before any can be assigned to the player or planeswalker being attacked. Trample allows the attacker to assign enough damage to blockers to destroy them, and then assign any remaining damage to the defending player or planeswalker.
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Protection: This ability prevents certain actions from affecting a permanent. Specifically, a permanent with protection from X (where X is a color, source, etc.) can’t be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, enchanted, or equipped by anything of that quality. Protection is denoted by the phrase “protection from [characteristic]”.
The Interaction: Damage Assignment is Key
The crucial point is that trample dictates damage assignment, while protection dictates what happens to the damage once assigned. When a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection, you must still assign what would be lethal damage to the blocker. If the attacker’s power is greater than the blocker’s toughness, this means assigning damage equal to the blocker’s toughness. The protection ability then prevents that damage, but it doesn’t stop the rest of the damage from trampling over to the defending player.
For example, if a 5/5 creature with trample attacks and is blocked by a 2/2 creature with protection from green, the attacker must assign 2 damage to the blocker. The protection ability prevents that damage. However, the remaining 3 damage from the attacker can then be assigned to the defending player.
The defending player still takes the trample damage! Protection only stops damage assigned to the creature with protection.
Trample and Protection Examples
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A 7/7 creature with trample attacks, and is blocked by a 3/3 creature with protection from artifacts. The attacking player must assign 3 damage to the blocker (even though the protection will prevent it). The remaining 4 damage can be assigned to the defending player.
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A 4/4 creature with trample attacks, and is blocked by a 1/1 creature with protection from everything. The attacking player must assign 1 damage to the blocker. The remaining 3 damage can be assigned to the defending player. This is especially notable because the damage cannot be prevented.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding trample and protection:
Q1: Does protection from all colors stop trample?
No. Protection from all colors works the same way as protection from a single color in this scenario. It prevents the damage dealt to the creature with protection, but the attacking player with trample still has to assign lethal damage. Any excess damage is then assigned to the defending player or planeswalker.
Q2: If I block with a creature that has both protection and indestructible, how does trample work?
The trampling creature still needs to assign damage equal to the blocker’s toughness, but the blocker won’t be destroyed since it’s indestructible. However, any remaining damage from the trampling attacker can be assigned to the defending player.
Q3: What if the blocking creature has a shield counter instead of protection?
Shield counters prevent the next instance of damage or destruction. They have absolutely no effect on the damage assignment process.
Q4: How does deathtouch interact with trample and protection?
If an attacking creature has both trample and deathtouch, and is blocked by a creature with protection, the attacker only needs to assign 1 damage to the blocker (since deathtouch makes 1 damage lethal). The protection will prevent that 1 damage, but any remaining damage can be assigned to the defending player.
Q5: Can I assign zero damage to a blocker with protection?
No, you must assign enough damage to be lethal, even if that damage will be prevented. So, you must always assign damage equal to the blocker’s toughness.
Q6: Does a damage prevention effect stop trample?
No. Trample only cares about lethal damage. Other effects that may prevent damage have no bearing.
Q7: Can I redirect trample damage to a planeswalker if I block with a creature with protection?
Yes, as long as the trample damage is assigned legally. You can’t assign damage to both the planeswalker and the player at the same time.
Q8: What happens if the blocker with protection is removed before combat damage?
If the blocker is removed from combat before the combat damage step (e.g., sacrificed or exiled), the trample damage will simply go through to the player or planeswalker as if the creature wasn’t there at all. No damage is assigned to the previously blocking creature.
Q9: Does double strike affect how trample interacts with protection?
Yes. If the creature with trample also has double strike, it deals damage twice. During the first combat damage step, you still need to assign what would be lethal damage to the creature with protection. Any remaining damage is dealt to the defending player. Then, during the second combat damage step, the trampling creature deals damage again. You are still required to assign lethal damage.
Q10: Can I assign damage to a blocker with protection that has already taken damage this turn?
Yes, you assign damage to the blocker as if it had not taken damage. Even if it would be immediately destroyed from previous damage.
Q11: What happens if a creature with trample and lifelink attacks into a creature with protection?
The damage that is assigned to the defending player will provide life.
Q12: How does protection interact with “fight” effects involving a creature with trample?
The “fight” effect is a source of damage. Therefore, protection from that source of damage works as usual.
Q13: Does phasing out a blocker with protection affect trample?
If a blocker phases out before the combat damage step, it is treated as though it isn’t there, and you would not need to assign lethal damage.
Q14: Does protection from artifacts prevent an artifact creature with trample from assigning damage?
The creature cannot be blocked. You would assign all damage to the player.
Q15: Can I stack protection from a color to completely negate a trampler?
No. Protection is not cumulative.
Conclusion
The dance between trample and protection is a classic example of how seemingly simple rules can combine to create interesting and complex gameplay scenarios in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding these interactions is crucial for both newer and more experienced players alike. If you are interested in learning more about how games can affect teaching, check out the Games Learning Society or visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more resources.