What Destroys Indestructible? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of how to overcome indestructible permanents in Magic: The Gathering is a persistent and crucial one. Simply put, indestructible doesn’t mean invincible. Indestructible permanents cannot be destroyed by damage (including lethal damage) or effects that specifically use the word “destroy“. This leaves several avenues for removing them from the battlefield. The primary methods include exiling, reducing toughness to zero, forcing a sacrifice, and in the case of planeswalkers, depleting their loyalty counters.
Methods to Remove Indestructible Permanents
Let’s delve into each of these methods in detail:
Exiling
Exiling an indestructible permanent bypasses its indestructibility entirely. Effects that exile a permanent do not attempt to destroy it; they simply remove it from the game and place it in the exile zone. Cards like Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile, and Anger of the Gods are excellent examples of cards that can deal with indestructible creatures. The Games Learning Society understands the educational power of games, and complex card games like Magic the Gathering provide robust environments to test critical thinking and strategic planning.
Reducing Toughness to Zero
While damage doesn’t destroy an indestructible creature, its toughness still matters. If a creature’s toughness is reduced to zero or less, it is put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. This isn’t considered destruction, so indestructible doesn’t prevent it. Effects that give -X/-X, such as The Meathook Massacre, Plague Wind, or repeated activations of Noxious Gearhulk‘s ability, are effective ways to shrink an indestructible creature to oblivion.
Forcing a Sacrifice
Indestructible only protects against being destroyed. If a player is forced to sacrifice an indestructible permanent, it must be sacrificed. Sacrificing isn’t the same as destroying; it’s simply moving the permanent from the battlefield to its owner’s graveyard as part of the cost or effect of a spell or ability. Cards like Liliana of the Veil, Grave Pact, and Dictate of Erebos can force opponents to sacrifice their indestructible creatures. GamesLearningSociety.org promotes the study of this type of complex games and recognizes the many learning skills that can be acquired.
Planeswalkers and Loyalty Counters
If a Planeswalker is indestructible, it still takes damage in the form of the removal of loyalty counters. If its loyalty reaches zero, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard. This isn’t destruction, so indestructible doesn’t protect it. Direct damage spells, attacking creatures, and abilities that remove loyalty counters can all effectively remove an indestructible Planeswalker.
Other Considerations
- Bouncing: While not permanent removal, “bouncing” an indestructible creature back to its owner’s hand can buy valuable time and disrupt their strategy.
- Control Effects: Effects that allow you to gain control of an opponent’s indestructible permanent, such as Mind Control, can turn their strength against them. This, while not removing it, makes it a friendly card, so effectively it is removed from the opposition.
- Combination Effects: Sometimes, a combination of effects is needed. For example, dealing a small amount of damage to an indestructible creature and then exiling all creatures with damage on them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H2 FAQ Section: Destroying Indestructible Permanents
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into how to deal with indestructible permanents in Magic: The Gathering.
H3 Question 1: Can damage destroy an indestructible creature?
No. Indestructible creatures are not destroyed by damage, including lethal damage. They ignore the state-based action that would normally destroy a creature with damage equal to or greater than its toughness.
H3 Question 2: Does deathtouch kill an indestructible creature?
No. Deathtouch causes lethal damage, and indestructible creatures are immune to being destroyed by lethal damage.
H3 Question 3: Can Wrath of God kill an indestructible creature?
No. Wrath of God and similar effects specifically use the word “destroy“. Since indestructible prevents destruction, the creatures survive.
H3 Question 4: Does sacrifice work on indestructible creatures?
Yes. Sacrificing a creature is not the same as destroying it. Indestructible only protects against destroy effects and lethal damage. You can be forced to sacrifice an indestructible creature.
H3 Question 5: Does -X/-X kill indestructible creatures?
Yes. If a creature’s toughness is reduced to zero or less by -X/-X effects, it will be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. This isn’t destruction, so indestructible doesn’t prevent it.
H3 Question 6: Can you exile indestructible creatures?
Yes. Exiling a permanent is not the same as destroying it. Indestructible only protects against destroy effects and lethal damage.
H3 Question 7: Does combat damage kill indestructible creatures?
No. Combat damage is still considered damage, and indestructible creatures are immune to destruction by damage.
H3 Question 8: Can you target an indestructible creature with a “destroy” effect?
Yes. You can target an indestructible creature with a “destroy” effect, but the effect will simply do nothing. The creature won’t be destroyed.
H3 Question 9: Does lifelink work on indestructible creatures?
Yes. Lifelink works normally with indestructible creatures. Damage is still dealt, and you will gain life equal to the damage dealt.
H3 Question 10: Does first strike matter against indestructible creatures?
First strike doesn’t inherently counter indestructibility. The first strike creature will deal its damage first, but the indestructible creature will still survive.
H3 Question 11: What happens if a Planeswalker is indestructible and takes damage?
The Planeswalker still has loyalty counters removed as it takes damage. If its loyalty reaches zero, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard, bypassing indestructible, as this is not considered being destroyed.
H3 Question 12: Can anger of the gods kill indestructible?
Alone, no, but Anger of the Gods says “If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.” Indestructible creatures do not die as a result of damage, this would not be enough on its own. HOWEVER, If something else would make the creature die, though, Anger would exile it instead so its very important to understand the whole effect.
H3 Question 13: Can a sorcery destroy an indestructible creature?
A sorcery cannot destroy an indestructible creature. If a permanent is indestructible, rules and effects can’t destroy it. Such permanents are not destroyed by lethal damage, and they ignore the lethal-damage state-based action.
H3 Question 14: Is Hexproof or indestructible better?
Both are powerful effects, though have many ways to work around and remove the threat. Indestructible falls prey to exiling, tucking, etc; Hexproof is hit by ‘destroy all’ and other non-targeting spells.
H3 Question 15: What are the rules for indestructible?
702.12b A permanent with indestructible can’t be destroyed. Such permanents aren’t destroyed by lethal damage, and they ignore the state-based action that checks for lethal damage (see rule 704.5g). 704.5f If a creature has toughness 0 or less, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard.