Decoding the Apocalypse: How Board Wipes Work in Magic: The Gathering
Board wipes, the dramatic reset buttons of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), are spells designed to remove multiple permanents from the battlefield simultaneously. Their primary function is to clear a cluttered or disadvantageous board state, offering a chance to stabilize or swing the game in your favor. Typically, they destroy or exile all permanents of a specific type, such as creatures, artifacts, or enchantments, though some can affect all permanent types indiscriminately. Their effects bypass typical defenses like targeting restrictions and combat interactions, making them crucial tools for controlling the game’s pace.
Understanding the Mechanics of Destruction
The power of board wipes lies in their ability to overcome individual defenses. Unlike spot removal spells that target single threats, board wipes cast a wide net, affecting everything within their specified parameters. This often means that defenses like protection, hexproof, and shroud are irrelevant. The reason is simple: most board wipes do not target. Targeting requires specifying a particular permanent as the subject of a spell or ability. Because board wipes generally affect all permanents of a certain type (or all permanents), they circumvent these targeting-based defenses.
However, it’s not a complete free-for-all. Indestructible, for instance, can resist board wipes that destroy permanents, as indestructible permanents cannot be destroyed. Similarly, effects that prevent damage can mitigate the impact of board wipes that rely on damage to remove creatures. Board wipes that exile permanents or reduce their toughness to zero are generally the most effective, as they bypass most forms of protection.
Color is also a key factor in accessing board wipes. White is the color most often associated with this type of spell, followed by black, and to a lesser extent, red and blue. White board wipes often focus on destroying creatures, while black board wipes may involve sacrificing or destroying creatures. Red board wipes tend to rely on dealing damage, and blue board wipes may return creatures to their owner’s hand or transform them.
Strategic Implementation: When and Why to Wipe
Knowing when to cast a board wipe is as important as understanding how they work. Prematurely wiping the board can set you back if your opponent can recover faster, while waiting too long can leave you vulnerable to an overwhelming attack. Good timing depends on several factors:
- Your Deck’s Strategy: If you’re playing a control deck, board wipes are essential for surviving the early game and setting up your late-game win conditions. If you’re playing an aggressive deck, board wipes might be less important, but they can still be useful for clearing the way for a final, decisive attack.
- Your Opponent’s Board State: Evaluate the threats your opponent presents. Are they about to overwhelm you with creatures? Are they building a combo that you need to disrupt? If the answer is yes, it might be time to wipe the board.
- Your Hand and Future Draw: Consider what you have in your hand and what you’re likely to draw in the coming turns. Do you have the resources to rebuild after a board wipe, or will you be left vulnerable?
- Your Life Total: If you’re close to losing, a board wipe can buy you valuable time. However, be mindful of any life loss associated with the wipe itself.
Board wipes are not a guaranteed win condition, but they are powerful tools that can significantly impact the game. Mastering their timing and understanding their interactions with other game mechanics is crucial for success in MTG. To enhance your understanding of game mechanics and strategies, consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society, which delve into the intersection of learning and gaming. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Board Wipes
1. Do board wipes target creatures?
Generally, no. The majority of board wipes affect all creatures (or permanents of a certain type) without specifying a particular target. This is what allows them to bypass effects like hexproof and shroud.
2. How many board wipes should I include in my deck?
The ideal number depends on your deck’s strategy and the format you’re playing. For Commander, 3-4 is a common starting point, though some control decks may run more. Creature-heavy decks may only need 1-2 as a last resort.
3. Do board wipes affect indestructible creatures?
It depends on the type of board wipe. If the board wipe destroys creatures, indestructible creatures are unaffected. If the board wipe exiles creatures or reduces their toughness to zero, indestructible is irrelevant.
4. How does ward interact with board wipes?
Ward only affects spells and abilities that target the permanent with ward. Since most board wipes don’t target, ward provides no protection.
5. Does shroud protect against board wipes?
No. Shroud prevents a permanent from being the target of spells or abilities. Since board wipes typically don’t target, shroud doesn’t protect against them.
6. Does protection from a color prevent board wipes of that color from affecting a permanent?
No. Protection from a color only prevents targeting, damage, enchanting/equipping, and blocking by sources of that color. Since board wipes usually don’t target or deal damage directly, protection is ineffective.
7. Does hexproof stop board wipes?
No. Hexproof prevents a permanent from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. As board wipes generally don’t target, hexproof offers no protection.
8. How do I deal with indestructible creatures in MTG if they are unaffected by destruction board wipes?
Indestructible creatures can be dealt with in several ways: exile, bounce (returning to hand), forcing sacrifice, or reducing their toughness to zero. Some board wipes use these methods to deal with such creatures.
9. Is a spell like Blasphemous Act considered a board wipe?
Yes. Blasphemous Act is a board wipe that deals damage to all creatures. Its effectiveness increases with the number of creatures on the battlefield.
10. Can I exile a creature with hexproof using a board wipe?
Yes, provided the board wipe exiles all creatures or a specific subset of creatures without targeting them individually.
11. Can I be forced to sacrifice a creature with hexproof?
Yes. If a spell or ability forces you to sacrifice a creature (rather than targeting the creature directly), hexproof offers no protection.
12. If a creature has a shield counter, will that prevent a board wipe from destroying the creature?
Shield counters will prevent the initial destruction effect of a board wipe. After that destruction effect is prevented, the shield counter will be removed.
13. Will a creature with protection from black be affected by a board wipe that is black?
No. If a creature has protection from black, it will not be affected by a black board wipe.
14. What are some examples of common and effective board wipes in MTG?
Some popular board wipes include Wrath of God, Damnation, Day of Judgment, Farewell, and Supreme Verdict. These spells offer varying costs and effects, catering to different deck strategies.
15. How do board wipes affect the overall strategy in Commander (EDH)?
Board wipes are crucial in Commander to control the often chaotic multiplayer environment. They reset the board, preventing one player from gaining an insurmountable advantage and allowing other players to stabilize. Well-timed board wipes can be game-changing, altering the course of the game in your favor.