Annihilator: The Eldrazi’s Devastating Triggered Ability in Magic: The Gathering

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The Annihilator ability is a brutal and feared triggered ability found on many Eldrazi creatures in Magic: The Gathering. In essence, it forces an opponent being attacked by the creature to sacrifice a specific number of permanents. This sacrifice happens before blockers are declared, often crippling the defending player’s ability to mount a defense. The exact rule for annihilator, as defined within the Comprehensive Rules of Magic: The Gathering (specifically rule 702.86a), can be summarized as follows: “Annihilator N (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices N permanents.)” Where N represents the number of permanents that must be sacrificed.

Understanding the Nuances of Annihilator

Annihilator’s strength lies in its timing and its bypassing of many forms of protection. Because it forces a sacrifice, it circumvents effects that prevent destruction, like Indestructible or Regeneration. It also doesn’t target the defending player, making Hexproof irrelevant. Its primary effect is to disrupt the opponent’s board state and resource availability prior to combat, paving the way for devastating attacks.

How Annihilator Triggers and Resolves

The annihilator ability triggers during the declare attackers step when a creature with annihilator is declared as attacking. The triggered ability goes onto the stack, and players can respond to it with instants or activated abilities. Once the ability resolves, the defending player must choose and sacrifice the required number of permanents. This sacrifice occurs before the declare blockers step. This is critical, as the defending player might have to sacrifice potential blockers, leaving them more vulnerable.

Annihilator in Different Game Formats

The core mechanic of annihilator remains consistent across different Magic formats, but its impact can vary. In formats like Two-Headed Giant (2HG), each player is still treated as an individual, although they share a life total and a turn. If an annihilator creature attacks one player, only that player must sacrifice permanents, even though their teammate can declare blockers.

Annihilator FAQs: Your Comprehensive Guide

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about annihilator to deepen your understanding of this powerful mechanic:

1. Does Annihilator trigger when attacking a Planeswalker?

   Yes, annihilator triggers when a creature attacks a Planeswalker. The defending player, who controls the Planeswalker, must sacrifice the required number of permanents. The damage from the attacker will then be applied to the planeswalker (removing loyalty counters).

2. Does Protection from Creatures stop Annihilator?

   No. Protection only prevents damage, enchanting/equipping, blocking, and targeting (DEBT). Annihilator forces a sacrifice, which is none of those things.

3. Does Hexproof prevent Annihilator from working?

   No, Hexproof only prevents a player or permanent from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. Annihilator doesn’t target a player; it simply triggers an effect that requires a sacrifice.

4. Does Annihilator work against Indestructible permanents?

   Yes! Indestructible only prevents permanents from being destroyed by damage or effects that say “destroy”. Sacrificing is a different action entirely, so indestructible permanents can (and often must) be sacrificed to fulfill the annihilator requirement.

5. Can you redirect Annihilator triggers to another player?

   In certain situations, yes. Cards like Portal Mage or similar effects that can change the defending player can redirect the annihilator trigger. The new defending player then becomes the target of the annihilator trigger and must sacrifice the permanents.

6. Does Annihilator work with Double Strike?

   Annihilator only triggers once, during the declare attackers step. The presence of Double Strike on the attacking creature doesn’t cause the annihilator ability to trigger again during the combat damage step.

7. What happens if the defending player doesn’t have enough permanents to sacrifice?

   The defending player must sacrifice as many permanents as they can. If they have fewer permanents than the number required by annihilator, they sacrifice all of them.

8. Does Annihilator trigger if a creature enters the battlefield attacking (e.g., through Ninjutsu)?

   No. Annihilator only triggers when a creature is declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step. If a creature enters the battlefield already attacking, the annihilator ability does not trigger.

9. If a creature with Annihilator attacks in a multi-player game (e.g., Commander), which player sacrifices permanents?

   The player being attacked by the creature with annihilator sacrifices the permanents. The effect is localized to that player and does not affect other players in the game.

10. Can I Stifle the Annihilator ability?

    Yes, you can use cards like Stifle or Tale’s End to counter the annihilator triggered ability when it is placed on the stack. This will prevent the defending player from having to sacrifice any permanents.

11. How does Annihilator interact with token creatures?

    Token creatures can be sacrificed to satisfy the annihilator requirement. Once sacrificed, they cease to exist, as tokens go to the graveyard and then disappear.

12. If I sacrifice a permanent with a “dies” trigger to Annihilator, does that trigger go on the stack after the Annihilator trigger resolves?

    Yes. Sacrificing a permanent is the same as the permanent dying in this case. All “dies” triggers go on the stack after the current ability finishes resolving.

13. Does Annihilator trigger if a creature is put onto the battlefield attacking due to a spell or ability?

    No. Annihilator only triggers when the creature is declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step. If it enters the battlefield already attacking, it bypasses the annihilator trigger.

14. If I control multiple creatures with Annihilator, do the triggers stack?

    Yes, if you attack with multiple creatures with annihilator, each creature’s annihilator ability will trigger separately and go on the stack. The defending player will need to sacrifice the permanents for each resolving annihilator trigger.

15. How can I effectively play against Annihilator?

    Playing against annihilator requires careful resource management. Try to keep a diversified board state with a mix of expendable permanents. Counterspells, removal spells targeting the creatures with annihilator before they attack, and effects that prevent attacking can also be effective.

Deeper Dive into Strategic Considerations

The presence of annihilator demands a shift in strategic thinking. Instead of focusing solely on building a powerful board state, players must also consider the potential for devastating sacrifices. Decks that can quickly rebuild after losing permanents or that rely on non-permanent resources (such as instants and sorceries) are better positioned to withstand the onslaught of annihilator. Understanding how to bait out annihilator triggers with less valuable permanents can also buy time and protect crucial resources.

The Legacy of Annihilator

Annihilator is a controversial ability, often criticized for its ability to create non-games, particularly in formats like Commander. When high annihilator values are present, the game often spirals out of control, with the defending player quickly running out of resources. This has led to some players house-ruling against its use, highlighting its potential to diminish the fun for others. It’s a polarizing mechanic that generates strong opinions within the Magic community.

The mechanic showcases the strategic depth that makes Magic: The Gathering such a compelling game. For more on learning through games, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.