When Equipment Becomes a Creature: Understanding the Detachment Dynamics in Magic: The Gathering
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The short, decisive answer to the question “When you make an equipment a creature does it fall off?” is: Yes, absolutely. When an Equipment card transforms into a creature, it immediately becomes unattached from any creature it was previously equipped to. This is a fundamental rule interaction in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) and understanding it is crucial for mastering the game. The reason behind this lies in the very nature of Equipment and how the game defines what they can be attached to.
Why Equipment Detaches When It Becomes a Creature
The core mechanic is simple: Equipment cards are designed to attach only to creatures. This attachment is facilitated by the “Equip” ability, which allows you to target a creature you control and link the Equipment to it. However, when an Equipment card itself becomes a creature – due to a card effect or ability – it transitions into a different type of permanent that can no longer legally be attached to other creatures.
The MTG rules, specifically rule 704.5p, address this situation directly: “If a creature is attached to an object or player, it becomes unattached and remains on the battlefield.” While this rule refers to creatures being attached (like with an aura), the same principle applies in reverse. If the object being attached to a creature ceases to be eligible for attachment, it becomes unattached.
Therefore, the instant an Equipment transforms into a creature, a state-based action is triggered by the game. This state-based action automatically un-attaches the newly-formed creature-equipment from whatever it was formerly attached to. This happens without the need for any spells, abilities, or player action. The unattached equipment-creature remains on the battlefield as a separate, independent entity.
The Implication of This Rule
Understanding this rule is vital because it prevents situations where you might have equipment creatures equipped to other creatures. If equipment remained attached when becoming a creature, this would quickly lead to complex and potentially game-breaking scenarios.
Moreover, this concept also influences strategic decisions in deck building and gameplay. Players may need to weigh the benefits of transforming an Equipment into a creature against the potential loss of its boost to another creature. Likewise, understanding that a card that turns a creature into an equipment could cause it to fall off from the other creature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to further clarify the nuances surrounding equipment and creature transformations in MTG:
1. Does an equipment that becomes a creature retain its equip ability?
Yes, it does. An Equipment that becomes a creature still has its “Equip” ability. However, this ability becomes essentially useless in its creature form, since the creature cannot equip itself. If the creature-equipment ever becomes an equipment again, it will be able to equip other creatures.
2. If a creature stops being a creature, what happens to attached equipment?
If an equipped creature becomes a non-creature permanent, the attached Equipment will become unattached. This is because Equipment can only be attached to creatures. It’s a state-based action, meaning it happens automatically.
3. Does equipment fall off when a creature phases out?
No, Equipment does not fall off when a creature phases out. The creature and its attached Equipment phase out together and phase back in attached. This is a distinct mechanic from a creature leaving the battlefield.
4. Can an equipment creature equip itself?
No, an equipment creature cannot equip itself. The Equip ability targets a creature to attach to, not itself. This is a common point of confusion for newer players.
5. Does blinking a creature remove attached equipment?
Yes, blinking a creature does remove any equipment attached to it. When you blink a creature, it leaves the battlefield and returns as a new object. Therefore, any attachments are removed upon leaving the field, and because the equipment remains, it will now be unattached.
6. When you gain control of an equipped creature, do you gain control of the equipment?
No, you do not gain control of the Equipment when you gain control of a creature. The Equipment remains under the control of its original controller. However, you do benefit from its effects while it’s attached to your now-controlled creature.
7. What happens to equipment if the equipped creature gains protection from the equipment’s color or card type?
If a creature gains protection from a quality that an equipment possesses, the equipment will fall off as a state-based action. This is because a permanent with protection cannot be equipped by equipment with that specific quality.
8. Does equipment fall off if a creature it’s attached to is destroyed?
No, the equipment does not fall off if a creature it’s attached to is destroyed. Instead, it remains on the battlefield unattached, waiting to be re-equipped.
9. Can you move equipment during combat?
No, you cannot move equipment during the combat phase. The “Equip” ability can only be activated during your main phase when the stack is empty. This limitation prevents mid-combat changes of equipment attachments.
10. Does equipment get summoning sickness?
No, equipment does not get summoning sickness. However, if an equipment becomes a creature it would then be affected by summoning sickness as any creature. Summoning sickness applies only to creatures, not non-creature artifacts.
11. Does heroic trigger when you equip a creature?
No, heroic does not trigger when you equip a creature. Heroic abilities are triggered by spells that target the creature, while “equip” is an activated ability.
12. Is an equipment creature considered modified?
Yes. Any creature that is equipped, whether with a standard equipment, or that is a creature-equipment, is considered to be modified. This is regardless of who controls the Equipment.
13. What happens when an equipment attached to a vehicle phases out?
When a vehicle phases out, all attachments phase out with it. Upon phasing back in, State-Based Actions will cause the Equipment to fall off if the Vehicle is not a creature.
14. Do equipment creatures keep counters?
Yes. Creatures that are also equipment keep any counters that were on them before becoming a creature. This applies to both keyword and +1/+1 counters.
15. Does deathtouch cancel deathtouch?
No, deathtouch is not canceled by another instance of deathtouch. Multiple instances of deathtouch on the same creature are redundant, meaning they do not do anything different from having one instance of deathtouch.
Conclusion
The interaction between equipment and creature transformations in MTG might seem complex at first, but it’s governed by a clear set of rules. The key takeaway is that an equipment that becomes a creature will always fall off from any creature it was previously attached to. Understanding this rule is not only essential for gameplay but also adds another layer of tactical depth to this strategic card game. By comprehending these nuances, players can make better decisions and navigate the dynamic battlefield of MTG with confidence.