Is a Creature a Target Permanent? Unraveling the Layers of Magic Card Targeting
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Yes, a creature is absolutely considered a target permanent in the context of many card interactions within a trading card game like Magic: The Gathering. The specific game mechanics and card wordings determine when and how something can be targeted, and understanding the “permanent” designation is crucial.
Decoding “Permanent” in Card Interactions
The term “permanent” refers to a card or token on the battlefield. Lands, creatures, artifacts, enchantments, and planeswalkers all fall under this umbrella. The crucial point is that something must be on the battlefield to be a permanent. A card in your hand, library, graveyard, or exile zone is not a permanent.
The “target” aspect further refines this definition. Certain spells and abilities require you to choose a specific permanent (or other card type) as their target. If a card says “Target permanent,” you can typically choose a creature, as creatures, once on the battlefield, are permanents. However, always read the card carefully; some cards may have further restrictions, such as “Target creature” or “Target noncreature permanent.”
Understanding Targeting Restrictions
Many cards have restrictions on what they can target. For example:
- “Target creature”: This can only target creature permanents on the battlefield.
- “Target noncreature permanent”: This targets artifacts, enchantments, lands, and planeswalkers, but not creatures.
- “Target permanent you control”: Limits your choice to permanents you own and control on the battlefield.
- “Target player”: Targets a player, not a permanent.
These restrictions are critical to follow. If you try to target something that doesn’t meet the requirements, the spell or ability is usually countered upon resolution, and no effect happens. (This doesn’t happen if the target becomes illegal after the spell is cast, but before it resolves.)
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding that creatures are target permanents opens up a wide range of strategic options and defensive plays. For instance, knowing that a card like “Murder” can target your opponent’s powerful creature allows you to eliminate a threat. Conversely, understanding that certain protection abilities (like “protection from black”) can make your creature an illegal target for “Murder” allows you to protect your board. This nuanced understanding of the rules is vital for effective gameplay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the concept of creature permanents and targeting:
1. What happens if a creature is no longer a creature when a spell targeting it resolves?
If a permanent ceases to be a creature type but is still a permanent, the targeting condition may no longer be valid. For example, if you cast “Murder” on a creature, but before the “Murder” resolves the creature becomes an enchantment (but remains a permanent), the “Murder” will still resolve, destroying the permanent. However, if the target becomes illegal – if the creature disappears entirely, or becomes a land, or is protected from black – the spell will be countered on resolution.
2. Can I target a creature card in my graveyard with a spell that says “Target permanent”?
No. Permanents are only considered permanents when they are on the battlefield. A card in your graveyard is simply a card, not a permanent. Spells or abilities targeting permanents cannot target cards in your graveyard unless they specifically say they can target cards in a graveyard.
3. If a creature has hexproof, can it be targeted by my opponent’s spells or abilities?
No. Hexproof prevents a permanent from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. You can target your own creature with hexproof.
4. If a creature has shroud, can it be targeted by any spells or abilities?
No. Shroud prevents a permanent from being the target of any spell or ability, including your own.
5. Can I target a creature that is being cast as a spell?
No. A card being cast is on the stack, where spells and abilities reside. It is not yet a permanent on the battlefield. You can only target it with effects that specifically target spells on the stack.
6. What happens if my target creature becomes indestructible?
If your target creature becomes indestructible before a destruction spell resolves, the spell still resolves, but the creature is not destroyed. It remains on the battlefield, unaffected by the spell’s attempt to destroy it.
7. Can I target a creature with a land destruction spell if it’s also a land?
Yes. If a card is both a creature and a land, it is treated as both card types and can be targeted by spells that target either creatures or lands.
8. What if a creature I target is removed from the battlefield in response to my spell?
If the targeted creature is removed from the battlefield before your spell resolves, the spell will be countered upon resolution due to having no legal target. No effect will happen.
9. Can I target a creature with a spell that says “Target artifact”?
No, unless that creature is also an artifact. Some creatures are also artifacts, but a creature that is only a creature cannot be targeted by “Target artifact”.
10. Does “Target creature or player” mean I can choose either a creature or a player as the target?
Yes. “Target creature or player” provides you with a choice. You can target a creature permanent or a player.
11. Can I target my own creature with a spell that says “Target opponent controls”?
No. You cannot target a permanent you control with a spell that specifies “Target opponent controls.” This would be an illegal target, and the spell would be countered on resolution.
12. What’s the difference between “destroy” and “exile” when targeting a creature?
Destroy means to send a permanent to its owner’s graveyard. Exile means to remove a permanent from the game entirely, placing it in the exile zone. Indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed, but they can be exiled.
13. Can I change the target of my spell after I’ve cast it?
No. Once a spell is cast and targets are chosen, the target cannot be changed unless a specific card ability allows you to do so.
14. If a spell targets a creature and also requires me to sacrifice a creature, do I have to sacrifice the targeted creature?
No, unless the card specifically states that you must sacrifice the targeted creature. You can sacrifice any creature you control.
15. Where can I learn more about the rules of targeting and card interactions?
There are many resources available online and in local game stores. For example, the Games Learning Society offers fantastic resources. You can check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.