Planeswalkers Unleashed: Mastering the Multiverse of Many

The world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is vast and ever-evolving, with countless strategies and card interactions to master. One of the most compelling card types is the Planeswalker, powerful beings capable of warping the battlefield to your advantage. But just how many of these potent allies can you command at once?

The short answer is: There’s no limit to the number of Planeswalker permanents you can have in play, so long as they don’t share the exact same name. Imagine the possibilities! A veritable army of Planeswalkers, each contributing unique abilities and strategies to your grand plan. The catch? The infamous “Planeswalker uniqueness rule,” more commonly known as the Legend Rule, applies and prevents you from controlling two planeswalkers with the exact same name.

This rule, at its core, is what dictates how many Planeswalkers you can have on the battlefield simultaneously. You could hypothetically assemble dozens of different Planeswalkers named Jace, Nissa, Teferi, etc. It might be tricky to manage all their abilities, but that’s part of the challenge (and the fun!).

Deciphering the Planeswalker Rulebook

To fully grasp the scope of Planeswalker deployment, let’s break down the key rules and interactions:

• Legendary Supertype: All Planeswalkers are legendary permanents. This means they are subject to the Legend Rule.
• The Legend Rule: If a player controls two or more legendary permanents with the same name, that player chooses one of them and sacrifices the rest. This applies to Planeswalkers, too.
• Planeswalker Uniqueness: You can’t control two Planeswalkers with the same name simultaneously. This is effectively the Legend Rule applying to Planeswalkers, but it’s worth reiterating for clarity.
• Different Names, Different Games: You can control multiple Planeswalkers with the same first name, provided their full names are different. For example, you can have both “Teferi, Hero of Dominaria” and “Teferi, Time Raveler” on the battlefield at the same time.
• Activating Abilities: You can activate one loyalty ability per Planeswalker per turn at sorcery speed (during your main phase when the stack is empty). With numerous Planeswalkers on the field, you’ll have a plethora of abilities at your disposal each turn.

Navigating Planeswalker Interactions

Beyond the core rules, several other interactions affect how Planeswalkers function on the battlefield:

• Damage and Loyalty Counters: When a Planeswalker is dealt damage, that many loyalty counters are removed from it.
• Zero Loyalty: If a Planeswalker’s loyalty reaches zero, it is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action.
• Directing Damage: Spells and abilities that would deal damage to you can be redirected to a Planeswalker you control. This is a key strategic consideration.
• Planeswalker Removal: Many spells and abilities can directly destroy or exile Planeswalkers. Protecting your Planeswalkers is crucial.
• Planeswalker Commanders: Some Planeswalkers have the text “[CARDNAME] can be your commander,” allowing you to build a Commander deck around them.

Building the Ultimate Planeswalker Army

Now that we’ve established the rules, let’s explore some strategic considerations for building decks that utilize multiple Planeswalkers:

• Synergy is Key: Choose Planeswalkers whose abilities complement each other. For example, a Planeswalker that creates tokens can work well with a Planeswalker that buffs creatures.
• Protection is Paramount: Include cards that can protect your Planeswalkers from damage and removal, such as counterspells, creatures with high toughness, and enchantments that grant hexproof or indestructible.
• Mana Fixing: With multiple Planeswalkers in your deck, you’ll need to ensure you have adequate mana fixing to cast them consistently. Dual lands, mana rocks, and ramp spells are essential.
• Versatility is Valuable: Select Planeswalkers with a variety of abilities to handle different situations. Some should focus on offense, others on defense, and some on card advantage.
• Consider “Superfriends” Archetype: Some players specifically build “Superfriends” decks, which heavily rely on Planeswalkers and cards that synergize with them. These decks can be incredibly powerful if built correctly.
• Be mindful of your colors: Planeswalkers are rarely hybrid colored cards or colorless. It’s important to make sure your deck has a stable manabase that can support casting each of them.

The more you understand Planeswalkers, the more you’ll enjoy playing Magic: The Gathering. Explore the world of Games Learning Society to learn more about the best strategies for your game. Whether you want to try a brand new deck, or understand the game better, the GamesLearningSociety.org will help you achieve it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Planeswalkers

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Planeswalkers to further solidify your understanding of these potent cards:

1. Can I have two Planeswalkers with the same name on the battlefield if they are owned by different players?

Yes. The Legend Rule only applies to permanents controlled by the same player. If you and your opponent each control a Planeswalker with the same name, both can remain on the battlefield.

2. If I control a Planeswalker and my opponent casts a spell that would take control of it, what happens to my other Planeswalkers with the same name?

If your opponent gains control of your Planeswalker, the Legend Rule is checked under their control. If they already control a Planeswalker with the same name, they must choose one to keep and sacrifice the other. Your own Planeswalkers are unaffected.

3. Can I use a Planeswalker’s ability on my opponent’s turn if an effect allows me to cast spells as though they had flash?

No. Planeswalker abilities can only be activated at sorcery speed, which means during your main phase when the stack is empty. Even if you have an effect that grants flash to spells, this does not apply to Planeswalker abilities.

4. If I activate a Planeswalker’s ability and then it is destroyed in response, does the ability still resolve?

Yes. Once a Planeswalker’s ability is activated, it goes on the stack. Even if the Planeswalker is removed from the battlefield before the ability resolves, the ability will still resolve unless it is countered.

5. Can I attack a Planeswalker directly with a creature?

Yes. When declaring attackers, you can choose to attack an opponent or a Planeswalker that opponent controls. If you attack a Planeswalker, your creature will deal combat damage to it, and that many loyalty counters will be removed.

6. What happens if a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a Planeswalker?

Deathtouch only affects creatures. If a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a Planeswalker, the Planeswalker loses that many loyalty counters, but is not destroyed outright by deathtouch.

7. Can I put +1/+1 counters on a Planeswalker?

Only if the Planeswalker becomes a creature. Some Planeswalkers have abilities that turn them into creatures. In that case, they can receive +1/+1 counters, which will affect their power and toughness. These counters do not affect their loyalty.

8. Can I proliferate a Planeswalker with no counters on it?

No. Proliferate only allows you to add counters to permanents or players that already have at least one counter of any kind on them. You cannot start by putting the first counter on a Planeswalker with proliferate.

9. If I flicker a Planeswalker, does it return with the same number of loyalty counters it had before?

No. When a Planeswalker is flickered (exiled and then returned to the battlefield), it is treated as a new permanent entering the battlefield. It enters with the number of loyalty counters printed on the card.

10. Can I use multiple abilities of the same Planeswalker in one turn if I have a way to untap it?

No. You can only activate one loyalty ability per Planeswalker per turn, regardless of how many times it becomes untapped. The restriction is tied to the Planeswalker itself, not your ability to use it.

11. Does giving a Planeswalker indestructible prevent it from being put into the graveyard when its loyalty reaches zero?

No. Indestructible prevents damage and “destroy” effects, but the rule that puts a Planeswalker into the graveyard when its loyalty is zero is not a “destroy” effect. The Planeswalker will still be put into the graveyard.

12. Are there any cards that specifically target or benefit from Planeswalkers?

Yes. There are numerous cards that interact with Planeswalkers. Some examples include spells that destroy Planeswalkers, creatures that get bonuses when you control a Planeswalker, and enchantments that protect your Planeswalkers.

13. If I copy a Planeswalker, does the copy enter with loyalty counters?

Yes. The copy of a Planeswalker will enter the battlefield with the number of loyalty counters printed on the card it is copying. However, the Legend Rule will still apply, and you will likely have to sacrifice one of them unless they have different names.

14. Can I use a planeswalker’s ultimate ability the turn it comes into play?

Generally no. To use a planeswalker’s ultimate ability, you need to activate a loyalty ability that costs a large number of loyalty counters. This usually requires accumulating loyalty over multiple turns before you can activate the ultimate.

15. If I play a Planeswalker that can be my commander, does it still start with loyalty counters or commander tax?

Yes, it will still start with loyalty counters equal to the number printed on the card. Since the Planeswalker is your commander, it is subject to commander tax. This tax only applies when casting the card from the command zone.

By understanding these rules, interactions, and strategic considerations, you can effectively harness the power of Planeswalkers and dominate the battlefield. Good luck, and may your Planeswalker army lead you to victory!