Planeswalkers in the Crosshairs: A Combat Guide for 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.
Planeswalkers, those powerful mages from across the multiverse, add a unique dimension to Magic: The Gathering. Unlike creatures, they can’t directly attack, but they can certainly be attacked! The core mechanic to understand is that Planeswalkers are attacked directly by creatures, and they take damage in the form of loyalty counter removal. When a Planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is put into the graveyard as a state-based action. Let’s delve into the intricacies of Planeswalker combat.
The Basics of Attacking a Planeswalker
Think of attacking a Planeswalker much like attacking another player. During your Declare Attackers Step, you choose whether each of your attacking creatures will attack your opponent or a Planeswalker that opponent controls. This decision is made independently for each creature. So, you could attack both the player and their Planeswalker in the same turn. Importantly, Planeswalkers are not considered opponents; opponents are exclusively players.
Combat Damage and Planeswalkers
When a creature successfully attacks a Planeswalker and is unblocked, that creature deals its combat damage directly to the Planeswalker, removing an equivalent number of loyalty counters. If a creature is blocked, standard combat rules apply. The blocked attacker will deal damage to the blocking creature, and the blocking creature deals damage to the attacking creature. If the planeswalker leaves the battlefield before combat damage is assigned, the attacking creature assigns no combat damage.
Defending Against Attacks on Planeswalkers
Just as you would defend yourself from an incoming attack, you can use your own creatures to block attackers targeting your Planeswalker. This is a crucial strategy to protect your Planeswalkers and maintain their valuable abilities. You choose which creatures will block which attackers during the Declare Blockers Step. Remember, even a small chump blocker can buy you valuable time to utilize your Planeswalker’s abilities or develop your board position. Some planeswalkers such as Gideon, Battle Forged can transform into creatures, which can both attack or defend.
Direct Damage and Planeswalkers
While creatures are the primary attackers of planeswalkers, other types of damage can also remove loyalty counters. Direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt cannot target planeswalkers. Instead, you must target the Planeswalker’s controller (the player) and, upon resolution of the spell, redirect the damage to the Planeswalker. Certain cards and abilities like the ones from Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence can damage planeswalkers.
Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule
The Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule dictates that you cannot control two Planeswalkers with the exact same name. If you somehow bring two Planeswalkers with the same name onto the battlefield, you must choose one to keep, and the other is sacrificed as a state-based action. Note that planeswalkers who share a type but have a different name, like two different Jaces, can exist on the battlefield at the same time.
FAQs: Planeswalkers in Combat
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of Planeswalker combat:
1. Can Planeswalkers attack?
No, Planeswalkers themselves cannot attack unless a specific ability, like one found on some versions of Gideon Jura, temporarily turns them into a creature. In their normal state, they are non-creature permanents.
2. Can I attack a Planeswalker directly with a spell?
Generally, no. Direct damage spells like Shock must target a player. However, you can then redirect the damage to a Planeswalker that player controls. Certain cards and abilities like the ones from Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence can damage planeswalkers.
3. Does Deathtouch work on Planeswalkers?
Not directly. Deathtouch only applies to creatures. Damage from a source with Deathtouch will destroy a creature it deals damage to (unless that creature has Indestructible). However, if the creature is attacking a planeswalker and deals combat damage, the number of loyalty counters removed from the planeswalker is equal to the amount of combat damage dealt, regardless of deathtouch. Some cards, however, like Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence, have abilities that cause deathtouch to be relevant.
4. What happens when a Planeswalker reaches 0 loyalty?
A Planeswalker with zero loyalty is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. This happens immediately, and you don’t get a chance to activate any further abilities.
5. Can I give a Planeswalker Indestructible?
Yes, you can grant a Planeswalker Indestructible. However, Indestructible only prevents destruction. It will not stop it from being put into the graveyard as a state-based action once it has zero loyalty counters.
6. Can I redirect combat damage to my own Planeswalker?
No, you cannot redirect damage to your own Planeswalker. This applies to both combat and noncombat damage. You can only redirect damage to an opponent’s Planeswalker when the damage originates from a spell or ability targeting the opponent.
7. Does Lifelink work when attacking a Planeswalker?
Yes. If a creature with Lifelink deals combat damage to a Planeswalker, you gain life equal to the damage dealt.
8. Can I use -1/-1 counters on Planeswalkers?
While you can technically put -1/-1 counters on a Planeswalker, they have no effect. These counters only affect creatures by reducing their power and toughness.
9. Can a Planeswalker have negative loyalty?
No. While Planeswalker abilities can have a negative loyalty cost (reducing the Planeswalker’s loyalty), the Planeswalker is immediately put into the graveyard when its loyalty reaches zero.
10. Does Earthquake damage Planeswalkers?
Unfortunately, no. Spells like Earthquake, which deal damage to each player, cannot directly damage Planeswalkers. The damage redirection rule only applies when you target a player with the spell. “Each player” is not the same as targeting.
11. What happens if a Planeswalker has both Indestructible and 0 loyalty?
Even with Indestructible, a Planeswalker with zero loyalty is still put into the graveyard as a state-based action. Indestructible prevents destruction, but state-based actions bypass that protection in this scenario.
12. Can I have two of the same Planeswalker on the battlefield?
No, you cannot control two Planeswalkers with the exact same name. The Planeswalker Uniqueness Rule forces you to sacrifice one of them as a state-based action. However, you can have two different Planeswalkers that share a Planeswalker type, such as two different versions of Jace.
13. Can a planeswalker emblem be destroyed?
No. Emblems are not permanents and therefore cannot be destroyed or otherwise removed by in-game effects.
14. Does Indestructible stop Deathtouch?
Yes. Indestructible creatures ignore deathtouch. A creature with indestructible will not be destroyed when it takes damage from a source with deathtouch.
15. What are state-based actions?
State-based actions are rules that the game automatically checks and enforces. This includes putting a planeswalker with 0 loyalty into the graveyard. They don’t use the stack and can’t be responded to.
Mastering Planeswalker Combat
Understanding how Planeswalkers function in combat is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering. By knowing how to attack, defend, and utilize direct damage effectively, you can protect your own Planeswalkers while disrupting your opponent’s strategies. With practice and a solid understanding of these mechanics, you’ll be able to wield these powerful allies to their full potential and dominate the battlefield. For more on games and education, consider looking into organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.