Is Attacking a Planeswalker Combat Damage? Unveiling MTG’s Combat Nuances
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Yes, attacking a planeswalker deals combat damage. When you declare an attacker and choose a planeswalker as the target of that attack, any unblocked creature that assigns combat damage will deal that damage to the targeted planeswalker. This damage then results in the removal of an equivalent number of loyalty counters from that planeswalker. It’s a direct application of combat damage rules within the framework of the game. Understanding this interaction is crucial for effective strategy and gameplay in Magic: The Gathering (MTG).
Understanding Planeswalker Combat: FAQs
To further clarify the intricacies of attacking planeswalkers and how it relates to combat damage, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions:
1. How do I declare an attack on a planeswalker?
As the Declare Attackers Step begins, you, as the active player, must declare what each attacking creature is attacking. This choice is between the defending player or one of their planeswalkers if they control any. You essentially choose whether each of your attacking creatures is targeting the player or a specific planeswalker they control.
2. What happens when combat damage is dealt to a planeswalker?
When a creature you control successfully deals combat damage to an opponent’s planeswalker, the appropriate number of loyalty counters is removed from that planeswalker. If this reduces the planeswalker’s loyalty to zero, the planeswalker is put into its owner’s graveyard.
3. Can I attack both a player and a planeswalker in the same turn?
Absolutely. During the Declare Attackers Step, you can assign different attacking creatures to attack different targets. Some creatures can attack the defending player while others attack one of their planeswalkers. Strategic allocation of your attackers is key to victory.
4. Can my opponent block a creature attacking a planeswalker?
Yes, your opponent can block creatures that you have declared as attacking their planeswalker. Blocking works the same as blocking a creature attacking a player. This makes understanding the relative power and toughness of creatures on the board vital when planning your attacks.
5. Does deathtouch work on planeswalkers?
Generally, deathtouch does not automatically destroy planeswalkers. Deathtouch is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage from the source to be enough to destroy a creature. Planeswalkers are not creatures. So the damage reduces loyalty counters as normal. However, there are cards, such as Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence, that can grant deathtouch to damage dealt to planeswalkers by specific creatures, turning deathtouch into a very effective planeswalker removal tool.
6. Can I redirect damage from a spell like Fireball to a planeswalker?
While you cannot directly target a planeswalker with Fireball because it targets creatures or players, you can target the planeswalker’s controller and then, as Fireball resolves, redirect the damage to the planeswalker instead. This is a common tactic to bypass defenses that might protect planeswalkers directly.
7. If a creature with lifelink deals damage to a planeswalker, do I gain life?
Yes, you do. The lifelink ability states that you gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt by the source with lifelink. This applies regardless of whether the damage is dealt to a creature, player, or planeswalker.
8. What happens if a planeswalker has indestructible?
Even if a planeswalker is indestructible, it still loses loyalty counters when dealt damage. The indestructible ability prevents the planeswalker from being destroyed by damage, but it does not prevent the damage from being dealt or loyalty counters from being removed. Once the loyalty reaches zero, even an indestructible planeswalker is put into its owner’s graveyard.
9. Does the “legend rule” affect planeswalkers?
Yes, the “legend rule” applies to planeswalkers, with a slight modification. It’s more accurately referred to as the “planeswalker uniqueness rule.” You cannot control two planeswalkers with the same subtype (the name after “Planeswalker – “). For example, you cannot have two copies of “Jace, the Mind Sculptor” on the battlefield at the same time. If you would, you must choose one and put the other in the graveyard. However, you can have Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Jace Beleren on the battlefield simultaneously, as they have different subtypes.
10. Can I use a spell like Lightning Bolt to target a planeswalker?
Yes, many direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt can directly target planeswalkers. The card text specifies “any target,” which includes players, creatures, and planeswalkers, unless a specific effect restricts targeting options.
11. Can a planeswalker block for me?
No, planeswalkers themselves cannot block. They are permanents on the battlefield but not creatures unless a specific ability temporarily transforms them into one. However, you can use creatures you control to block creatures that are attacking your planeswalker.
12. What are some effective strategies for destroying a planeswalker?
There are various effective methods for eliminating planeswalkers:
- Evasive Creatures / Overwhelming Force: Creature swarms can quickly deplete a planeswalker’s loyalty.
- Destroy Target Permanent: Spells that destroy permanents can directly eliminate a planeswalker.
- Direct Damage Spells: As mentioned, many damage spells can target planeswalkers directly.
- Counterspells / Bounce Effects: Preventing the planeswalker from resolving in the first place or bouncing it back to the opponent’s hand can be highly effective.
13. Do +1/+1 counters affect planeswalkers?
No, +1/+1 counters do not affect planeswalkers’ loyalty. While you can theoretically put +1/+1 counters on a planeswalker that has temporarily become a creature (e.g., through an ability like Gideon Blackblade’s), these counters will only affect it while it is a creature. They have no effect on the planeswalker’s loyalty counters. Similarly, -1/-1 counters don’t affect loyalty.
14. Can I use Ninjutsu to put a creature into play attacking a planeswalker?
Yes, you can. The creature entering the battlefield with Ninjutsu will be attacking the same player, planeswalker, or battle as the creature that was returned to its owner’s hand. This can be a sneaky way to get an unblocked attacker through and damage a planeswalker.
15. What is the best way to learn more about MTG rules and strategy?
Besides comprehensive rule books and online resources, engaging with the MTG community and exploring educational initiatives can greatly enhance your understanding. Organizations like the Games Learning Society contribute to educational gaming and can provide additional insights into the strategic depths of MTG. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Understanding that attacking a planeswalker constitutes combat damage is just one piece of the MTG puzzle. Mastering the nuances of these interactions, as well as the broader rules landscape, will significantly improve your gameplay and strategic decision-making.