Planeswalker Problems? How to Banish These Persistent Permanents in Magic: The Gathering
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, your opponent just slammed down a shiny new Planeswalker and is already ticking up its loyalty counters. Panic might be setting in, but fear not! Getting rid of a Planeswalker is a crucial skill in Magic: The Gathering, and there are more ways to deal with them than you might think. Here’s the lowdown:
The most direct way to eliminate a Planeswalker is to reduce their loyalty to zero. Once their loyalty reaches zero, they are put into their owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. There are generally three main avenues to accomplish this:
-
Direct Removal Spells: Many spells can directly target and destroy Planeswalkers. Look for spells that say “destroy target permanent” or specifically mention Planeswalkers in their targeting parameters. Murderous Rider’s “Swift End” half, for instance, is a versatile removal spell that can eliminate a Planeswalker.
-
Combat Damage: Planeswalkers can be attacked directly. If your opponent controls creatures, you can declare them as attacking the Planeswalker. If the attack is unblocked, the attacking creature deals its combat damage to the Planeswalker, reducing its loyalty accordingly.
-
Redirecting Non-Combat Damage: This is a powerful but often overlooked technique. Any non-combat damage you would deal to an opponent can be redirected to a Planeswalker they control. This means burn spells like Lightning Bolt or larger damage spells like Banefire can be aimed at the opponent and then redirected to the Planeswalker upon resolution.
Choosing the right approach depends on your deck’s strategy, the board state, and the specific Planeswalker you’re facing. Recognizing the various options and understanding their nuances is key to mastering Planeswalker removal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planeswalker Removal
Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the nuances of dealing with Planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering.
Can I counter a Planeswalker?
Yes, you can counter a Planeswalker spell while it’s being cast (on the stack). Standard counterspells like Counterspell, Negate, or Essence Scatter will do the trick. However, once the Planeswalker resolves and enters the battlefield, you can no longer counter the Planeswalker card itself. You can, however, counter an ability using spells like Stifle.
Can I remove a Planeswalker before it uses its ability?
This depends on priority. After the Planeswalker resolves, the active player (usually the one who cast it) receives priority. They can activate a loyalty ability at sorcery speed. You can’t interrupt this process directly unless you have an instant-speed removal spell ready to go. The stack resolves in “Last In, First Out” order. Thus, if you cast a removal spell in response to the Planeswalker’s ability, your removal will resolve first, destroying the Planeswalker and negating the effect of the ability.
Are Planeswalkers permanent?
Yes, Planeswalkers are a type of permanent in Magic: The Gathering. This is important because many removal spells target “any permanent,” which includes Planeswalkers.
How many times can I use a Planeswalker in a turn?
Normally, you can only activate one loyalty ability of a Planeswalker per turn, and only at sorcery speed during your main phase when the stack is empty. However, certain cards like The Chain Veil or the emblem from Teferi, Temporal Archmage can circumvent this restriction, allowing you to activate multiple loyalty abilities in a turn.
Can Planeswalkers be exiled?
Yes. Exiling is a valid way to remove a Planeswalker. Spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can permanently remove a Planeswalker from the game.
Can I negate Planeswalkers?
Yes, Negate can be used to counter a Planeswalker spell being cast. Since Planeswalkers are spells when they’re on the stack, Negate, which counters noncreature spells, is a perfect answer.
Can I have 2 Planeswalkers out at the same time?
Yes, you can have multiple Planeswalkers on the battlefield at the same time, as long as they don’t share a Planeswalker type. This is governed by the “Planeswalker uniqueness rule,” similar to the Legend rule for legendary permanents. You can’t have two Planeswalkers with the same name (e.g., two copies of “Jace Beleren”), even if they’re from different sets. You can have Jace Beleren and Jace, the Mind Sculptor out simultaneously, but not 2 copies of Jace, the Mind Sculptor.
Does Deathtouch destroy Planeswalkers?
Deathtouch does not directly destroy Planeswalkers. Deathtouch only applies to combat damage dealt to creatures. If a creature with deathtouch deals combat damage to a Planeswalker, the damage is still dealt, and loyalty counters are removed accordingly, but the deathtouch ability itself has no additional effect.
Can I put +1/+1 counters on Planeswalkers?
While you can physically place +1/+1 counters on a Planeswalker card, they have no effect on a standard Planeswalker. +1/+1 counters only affect creatures’ power and toughness. However, if a Planeswalker becomes a creature (e.g., through Gideon Blackblade’s ability), then +1/+1 counters will affect it.
What happens if I do excess damage to Planeswalkers?
Excess damage to a Planeswalker above its remaining loyalty counters is simply ignored. The Planeswalker is destroyed when its loyalty reaches zero, regardless of how much excess damage was dealt.
Can Planeswalkers be sacrificed?
You cannot sacrifice a Planeswalker unless you control a card or ability that specifically allows you to sacrifice permanents you control. A player cannot sacrifice a permanent they do not control.
Can I Fireball a Planeswalker?
You can’t directly target a Planeswalker with Fireball, as Fireball targets creatures or players. However, you can target the Planeswalker’s controller and then redirect the damage to the Planeswalker. This is a common tactic for dealing with Planeswalkers using direct damage spells.
Can I block a Planeswalker ability?
You cannot block a Planeswalker’s activated ability in the same way you would block a creature attacking. You can only respond to it, as described earlier. The only way to block a Planeswalker is to attack it with a creature, which your opponent can choose to block.
What is the Planeswalker redirection rule?
The Planeswalker redirection rule allows you to redirect non-combat damage from a source you control that would deal damage to an opponent to a Planeswalker that opponent controls. This rule is crucial for using burn spells and other non-combat damage sources to eliminate Planeswalkers. Remember you cannot redirect damage to your own planeswalkers, or combat damage to an opponent’s planeswalker.
Are Planeswalkers still immortal?
Planeswalkers are no longer immortal. After the Mending, a significant event in Magic lore, Planeswalkers lost their inherent immortality and other god-like powers. They are now powerful mages but are susceptible to damage and death like any other creature or player.
Getting rid of Planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering requires a solid understanding of the rules, a well-constructed deck, and strategic decision-making. Mastering these techniques will significantly improve your game and help you overcome even the most formidable Planeswalker threats. For more information on game design and the educational potential of gaming, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.