Understanding Annihilation in Magic: The Gathering
Annihilation in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) can refer to a few different, but related, concepts. Most directly, it refers to the Annihilator keyword ability found on certain creatures, predominantly those of the Eldrazi race. However, it can also refer to the general concept of mass creature destruction like board wipes or the total obliteration of permanents, similar to the original card Annihilation. In this article, we’ll explore both meanings and delve into the mechanics and implications of this powerful word in the world of Magic.
Annihilator: A Devastating Keyword Ability
The most prominent and mechanically defined form of annihilation in MTG comes from the Annihilator ability. Officially, the rules for Annihilator are as follows:
702.86a Annihilator is a triggered ability. “Annihilator N” means “Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices N permanents.”
This simple but brutal ability forces a defending player to sacrifice a specified number of permanents when a creature with Annihilator attacks. This means that the defending player must sacrifice anything they control on the board, including lands, creatures, enchantments, artifacts, and even planeswalkers, if they choose. Annihilator is not targeted; rather, it dictates an action on the defending player. Crucially, this effect happens before blockers are declared, often stripping away potential defenders and making the attacking Eldrazi a significant threat. The timing is vital. This means Annihilator occurs during the declare attackers step, allowing the affected player to sacrifice permanents before the declare blockers step.
How Annihilator Operates
When a creature with Annihilator attacks, its ability triggers. This trigger goes onto the stack, and the defending player will have a chance to respond with instant speed spells and abilities. Once the trigger resolves, the defending player must choose which permanents they control they wish to sacrifice and then execute the sacrifice, losing those permanents in the process. If the defending player controls less permanents than the number required by the Annihilator ability, they will sacrifice as many as they can. This aspect of the ability can make even a single Annihilator trigger debilitating for an opponent and provides a great way to clear the board of your opponent’s defenses.
Annihilation as Mass Destruction
While the Annihilator ability is a specific mechanic, the term ‘annihilation’ can also broadly refer to the destruction of all creatures on the battlefield or the wholesale removal of permanents. Cards like the classic sorcery Annihilation fit into this idea, as well as cards such as Wrath of God or Damnation. These cards are sometimes called board wipes, and typically destroy or exile all creatures on the battlefield, offering a way for players to reset the board and gain a better position in the game. These kinds of mass destruction events offer a level of strategic reset that can be essential for controlling a game’s board state. Such cards often utilize effects such as destroy, exile, or -X/-X where X is equal to the toughness of the creatures on the battlefield to achieve their desired effect of complete board annihilation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Annihilation
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the different facets of annihilation in MTG.
1. Does Annihilator work with double strike?
No. Annihilator only triggers once, when the creature is declared as an attacker, not when it deals combat damage. Double strike only affects damage dealt, not the triggered abilities like Annihilator.
2. Does Annihilator target?
No. Annihilator does not target. The ability forces the defending player to sacrifice permanents, but does not target them. This distinction is important because effects such as hexproof do not stop Annihilator.
3. Does hexproof stop Annihilator?
No. Hexproof only prevents a player from being targeted by their opponent’s spells and abilities. Annihilator forces a player to sacrifice and does not target. Thus, hexproof does not prevent a player from having to sacrifice with Annihilator.
4. Does Annihilator trigger when attacking a planeswalker?
Yes. Annihilator triggers whenever the creature attacks, regardless of whether it is attacking a player or a planeswalker. The defending player (the controller of the planeswalker) will still have to sacrifice the required number of permanents.
5. Does protection from creatures stop Annihilator?
No. Protection abilities do not prevent Annihilator from triggering. Annihilator is not dealing damage and is not targeting a player or permanent. Therefore, Protection has no effect against Annihilator.
6. Does Annihilator happen before blocking?
Yes. Annihilator happens before the declare blockers step. When the attacker is declared, the Annihilator trigger goes onto the stack. The defending player must resolve it by sacrificing permanents before blockers can be declared. This timing can make even a single instance of Annihilator extremely detrimental.
7. Can you respond to Annihilator?
Yes, players can respond to the Annihilator trigger when it goes onto the stack. Players may use instants or abilities to do this to potentially save their permanents.
8. What is the difference between Annihilator and “destroy all creatures”?
Annihilator is an ability that forces a player to sacrifice their permanents, one at a time, during the declare attackers step. Cards that destroy all creatures do so during their casting, such as during the resolution of the spell, and are often sorceries that clear the board of creatures. Annihilator targets the defending player, not their permanents, and occurs before damage is even dealt. Board wipes, such as Damnation, target the creatures on the battlefield.
9. Does Indestructible stop Annihilator?
No. Indestructible does not stop Annihilator. Indestructible prevents permanents from being destroyed by effects that deal damage or that use the word destroy, but does not prevent them from being sacrificed. If an indestructible permanent is on the battlefield, it is still sacrifced to Annihilator.
10. What is the significance of Eldrazi and Annihilator?
Eldrazi are known for their use of Annihilator. They are massive creatures that are often extremely powerful and utilize Annihilator to help ensure they can deal damage in combat. The combination of a large body with a devastating sacrifice trigger makes these creatures very powerful threats.
11. What is the 75% rule in MTG?
The 75% rule isn’t directly related to Annihilation, but it is a deck building philosophy that encourages players to build strong decks that are not overly optimized or competitive, which aims to prioritize a fun and balanced experience for all players at the table. It is a popular strategy in commander.
12. What happens if you give a Planeswalker indestructible?
A Planeswalker with indestructible will still have its loyalty counters reduced from damage. When a planeswalker has no loyalty counters, it is still put into its owner’s graveyard even if it is indestructible. Indestructible does not prevent loyalty counters from being removed.
13. What does deathtouch do?
Deathtouch is a keyword ability that means that any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch to another creature is enough to destroy it. It does not deal damage to the player, just the creature it damages.
14. Does Deathtouch work with fight?
Yes. When a creature with deathtouch fights, any amount of damage it deals is considered lethal.
15. What are some cards with a similar effect to Annihilator?
There are not many effects that directly mimic Annihilator, but some cards offer sacrifice effects, such as Liliana of the Veil’s plus ability, that can cause a player to sacrifice. Others have board wipe effects that destroy all creatures. However, the combination of forcing a sacrifice upon declaration of an attacker is unique to the Annihilator ability, making it one of MTG’s more brutal keyword abilities.
Conclusion
Annihilation, whether as the specific Annihilator ability or the broader concept of mass destruction, embodies a powerful and potentially game-ending force in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding the mechanics and implications of these effects is crucial for both playing with and against them. As a unique and impactful ability, Annihilator provides a level of strategic depth that can lead to both incredible power and significant player interaction. Whether you’re facing a monstrous Eldrazi or deploying a board wipe, understanding the concept of annihilation is essential for success in MTG.