Protecting Your Planeswalkers: A Comprehensive Guide to Defense in Magic: The Gathering

So, you’ve summoned a powerful Planeswalker in Magic: The Gathering, a veritable powerhouse brimming with loyalty and game-changing abilities. Congratulations! But the celebration might be short-lived if you don’t know how to keep them safe. The burning question on every player’s mind then becomes: How do you prevent planeswalkers from being attacked? The answer is multifaceted, relying on a combination of proactive strategy, defensive spells, and clever creature deployment. Let’s break it down.

The most direct answer is this: You prevent planeswalkers from being attacked by intercepting the attacks directed at them. Opponents can declare attacking creatures to target your planeswalker. You can then redirect those attacks to creatures you control, use spells and abilities to destroy or exile the attacking creatures, cast spells and abilities to prevent the attack from happening altogether (like Fog), or use effects to increase your planeswalker’s loyalty (making it harder to eliminate). Ultimately, the name of the game is control – controlling the battlefield and controlling the flow of combat. Understanding these methods is crucial for any aspiring Planeswalker protector.

Understanding Planeswalker Vulnerability

Planeswalkers are, by design, vulnerable. They represent powerful allies, but they aren’t invincible gods. Understanding their weaknesses is the first step to protecting them. An unprotected planeswalker on an open board is essentially a ticking time bomb, vulnerable to direct assault. Remember that creatures are not the only threat, spells like “Lightning Bolt” can deal direct damage and eliminate a Planeswalker.

• Direct Attack: Opponents can declare attacking creatures to specifically target your planeswalker. This is the most common way they are eliminated.
• Burn Spells: Spells that deal direct damage can target planeswalkers if an opponent chooses. Some planeswalker abilities can circumvent this, but the default rule is that planeswalkers are legal targets.
• Planeswalker Removal Spells: Some cards are designed specifically to destroy planeswalkers. These are often sorceries or instants that can completely bypass your defenses.

Key Strategies for Planeswalker Defense

The core of planeswalker protection boils down to effective resource management and strategic planning. Here’s a breakdown of essential strategies:

• Creature Control: This is often the most reliable method. Deploy creatures with high toughness and defensive abilities (like vigilance or reach) to act as blockers. Cards that generate creature tokens are extremely valuable. Remember, even a small token can soak up a significant amount of damage.
• Removal Spells: Keep a healthy supply of removal spells in your deck. These can eliminate potential attackers before they even reach your planeswalker. Options like “Swords to Plowshares,” “Murder,” and “Lightning Bolt” (for smaller creatures) are essential.
• Countermagic: Counterspells are excellent at preventing your opponent from resolving threats in the first place. Use them strategically to stop planeswalker removal spells or large, threatening creatures.
• Fog Effects: “Fog” effects prevent all combat damage in a turn. These are particularly effective in swarm decks where your opponent relies on overwhelming you with creatures.
• Board Wipes: When all else fails, a board wipe can reset the battlefield. These spells destroy all creatures (or sometimes all permanents), giving you a fresh start to rebuild your defenses.
• Loyalty Management: Using your planeswalker’s abilities strategically to increase their loyalty can buy you time. A planeswalker with high loyalty is more difficult to eliminate in a single turn.
• Planeswalker Redirection: Some cards like “Deflecting Swat” redirect damage intended for your Planeswalker onto another target.

Deckbuilding for Planeswalker Protection

Protecting your planeswalkers starts with careful deckbuilding. Consider including the following types of cards:

• Efficient Creatures: Creatures that offer good value for their mana cost, especially those with defensive abilities.
• Versatile Removal: Spells that can target a wide range of threats.
• Card Draw: Consistent card draw ensures you always have options available.
• Mana Ramp: Accelerating your mana allows you to deploy threats and defenses faster than your opponent.
• Planeswalker-Specific Support: Some cards are designed specifically to protect planeswalkers, such as enchantments that grant them protection from certain colors.

Advanced Tactics

Beyond the basics, here are some advanced tactics to consider:

• Bait and Switch: Use weaker creatures to bait out your opponent’s removal spells, then deploy your planeswalker once their defenses are down.
• Political Plays: In multiplayer games, you can sometimes convince other players to help protect your planeswalker by offering them benefits or pointing out the threat posed by another player.
• Knowing Your Opponent’s Deck: Understanding your opponent’s deck allows you to anticipate their threats and plan your defenses accordingly.

The Importance of Playtesting

No strategy is foolproof. The best way to refine your planeswalker protection is to playtest your deck extensively. Experiment with different card combinations and strategies to see what works best in different situations. Remember to adapt your tactics based on the meta you are playing in.

Finding Resources and Community

The world of Magic: The Gathering is vast and ever-evolving. Continuously improving your knowledge of the game is key to success. Resources like GamesLearningSociety.org provide valuable insights and community connections. Engaging with the community can help you discover new strategies and refine your skills. Learning from others and sharing your own experiences is an excellent way to level up your game.

Conclusion

Protecting your planeswalkers is a critical skill in Magic: The Gathering. By understanding their vulnerabilities, employing effective defensive strategies, and building your deck with protection in mind, you can significantly increase their longevity and maximize their impact on the game. Remember to adapt your tactics based on your opponent’s strategy and the overall game state. So get out there, summon your planeswalkers, and defend them with all your might! Check out Games Learning Society for more in-depth resources.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I block with a planeswalker?

No, you cannot block with a planeswalker. Planeswalkers are not creatures and therefore cannot be declared as blockers.

2. If a creature has trample, does the excess damage go to the planeswalker even if I block?

Yes, if a creature with trample is blocked, but its power exceeds the blocker’s toughness, the excess damage will be dealt to the defending player or planeswalker (depending on the target of the attack). So a creature with Trample can still damage your Planeswalker even if it is blocked.

3. Can I use a planeswalker ability in response to an attack targeting it?

Yes, you can activate a planeswalker ability in response to an attack declared targeting it, as long as you have priority and the ability’s activation cost is met. This can often be a crucial defensive maneuver.

4. Are there cards that specifically grant planeswalkers hexproof or protection?

Yes, there are cards like “The Chain Veil” which can grant planeswalkers abilities, including hexproof or other protective effects, although these are relatively rare. However, Auras or equipment can also provide protection.

5. What happens if a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero?

If a planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is immediately put into the graveyard as a state-based action. It’s essentially destroyed.

6. Can I target a planeswalker with a spell that says “target player”?

No, unless the card specifically says it can target planeswalkers. “Target player” refers only to players, not planeswalkers.

7. If my opponent controls a creature with deathtouch and attacks my planeswalker, will it die instantly?

Yes, if a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a planeswalker, that damage is sufficient to destroy the planeswalker, regardless of its remaining loyalty.

8. Can I use a sacrifice outlet to protect my planeswalker?

Yes, you can sacrifice a creature to a card effect, redirecting the attack to the creature instead. It’s a valid strategy to sacrifice a creature to protect your Planeswalker.

9. Are there any artifacts that help protect planeswalkers?

Yes, there are artifacts that can help protect planeswalkers, such as “The Chain Veil” (mentioned earlier). There are also others that can generate tokens to act as blockers.

10. Can I use a redirect damage spell to redirect damage from a planeswalker to another planeswalker?

Yes, most redirect damage spells can redirect damage between permanents you control. Therefore, if a Planeswalker is about to be damaged, you can transfer that damage to another Planeswalker you control.

11. Does shroud prevent a creature from attacking a planeswalker?

No, shroud only prevents the creature from being targeted by spells or abilities. It does not prevent it from attacking a planeswalker.

12. What’s the difference between hexproof and shroud in terms of planeswalker protection?

Hexproof prevents your opponent from targeting the permanent (or player) with spells or abilities they control. Shroud prevents anyone, including you, from targeting the permanent with spells or abilities. For planeswalker protection, hexproof is generally preferable as it allows you to target the planeswalker with your own beneficial spells.

13. Can I use a “fog” effect to prevent damage to only my planeswalker and not my creatures?

No, most “fog” effects prevent all combat damage that would be dealt that turn, affecting both players and all creatures and planeswalkers. Some specialized fogs may only work against one opponent, but these are rare.

14. How does ward interact with damage spells and planeswalkers?

If a permanent (including a planeswalker) has ward, any time it becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, that opponent has to pay an additional cost (specified by the ward ability). If they don’t pay, the spell or ability is countered. This can effectively prevent damage spells from targeting your planeswalker.

15. If I control multiple planeswalkers, can my opponent choose which one to attack?

Yes, your opponent can choose which planeswalker to attack when declaring attackers. They are not forced to attack the planeswalker with the highest loyalty or any other specific criteria. The choice is entirely theirs.