{"id":7248,"date":"2025-02-25T01:49:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T01:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=7248"},"modified":"2025-02-25T01:49:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T01:49:40","slug":"can-a-creature-target-itself-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a creature target itself magic?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_a_Creature_Target_Itself_in_Magic_The_Gathering\" title=\"Can a Creature Target Itself in Magic: The Gathering?\">Can a Creature Target Itself in Magic: The Gathering?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_a_creature_with_shroud_target_itself\" title=\"Can a creature with shroud target itself?\">Can a creature with shroud target itself?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#What_is_an_illegal_target_in_MTG\" title=\"What is an illegal target in MTG?\">What is an illegal target in MTG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#What_counts_as_targeting_in_MTG\" title=\"What counts as targeting in MTG?\">What counts as targeting in MTG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_a_counterspell_target_itself\" title=\"Can a counterspell target itself?\">Can a counterspell target itself?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#What_does_%E2%80%9Ctarget_creature%E2%80%9D_mean_in_Magic\" title=\"What does &#8220;target creature&#8221; mean in Magic?\">What does &#8220;target creature&#8221; mean in Magic?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Does_copying_count_as_targeting_in_MTG\" title=\"Does copying count as targeting in MTG?\">Does copying count as targeting in MTG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Does_hexproof_stop_deathtouch\" title=\"Does hexproof stop deathtouch?\">Does hexproof stop deathtouch?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Does_Equip_count_as_targeting_in_MTG\" title=\"Does Equip count as targeting in MTG?\">Does Equip count as targeting in MTG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Does_Hexproof_stop_you_from_targeting_your_own_creature\" title=\"Does Hexproof stop you from targeting your own creature?\">Does Hexproof stop you from targeting your own creature?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_you_target_a_phased_out_creature\" title=\"Can you target a phased out creature?\">Can you target a phased out creature?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_you_target_a_creature_if_it_is_tapped\" title=\"Can you target a creature if it is tapped?\">Can you target a creature if it is tapped?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#What_spells_dont_target_in_MTG\" title=\"What spells don\u2019t target in MTG?\">What spells don\u2019t target in MTG?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_Reprieve_target_itself\" title=\"Can Reprieve target itself?\">Can Reprieve target itself?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#What_does_Hexproof_protect_from\" title=\"What does Hexproof protect from?\">What does Hexproof protect from?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/#Can_deathtouch_destroy_indestructible\" title=\"Can deathtouch destroy indestructible?\">Can deathtouch destroy indestructible?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_Creature_Target_Itself_in_Magic_The_Gathering\"><\/span>Can a Creature Target Itself in Magic: The Gathering?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The short, direct answer is <strong>no, a creature cannot directly target itself<\/strong> with its own abilities or spells that it might be linked to. This is a fundamental rule within Magic: The Gathering (MTG) that prevents confusing and potentially game-breaking scenarios. While this seems straightforward, the nuances of targeting and what constitutes a legal target in MTG warrant a deeper look.<\/p>\n<p>A key rule to understand is that a <strong>spell or ability on the stack is an illegal target for itself<\/strong>. This means if a creature were to somehow gain an ability that included a \u201ctarget\u201d clause, that ability itself cannot target the ability that is currently on the stack. This rule also applies to spells, including instants or sorceries that use the &#8220;target&#8221; keyword. For instance, you cannot attempt to counter a Counterspell with itself by redirecting the original counterspell&#8217;s target to the counterspell itself. This also means that a creature with an activated ability that reads &#8216;target creature&#8217; cannot legally choose itself as the target of that activated ability.<\/p>\n<p>The concept of \u201ctargeting\u201d is crucial for understanding why a creature cannot target itself. In Magic, <strong>targeting<\/strong> is a very specific action, usually denoted by the word &#8220;target&#8221; on a card. A card or ability that includes the phrase \u201ctarget [something]\u201d explicitly requires that a target be selected according to the specifications within that text. If a spell or ability has no &#8220;target&#8221; word at all, then it does not target.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are situations where creatures can be <em>affected<\/em> by spells or abilities they control, but this isn\u2019t the same as <em>targeting<\/em>. For example, a creature might have an ability that affects &#8220;all creatures you control,&#8221; or perhaps a card might have an effect that reads &#8220;each creature you control gets +1\/+1 until end of turn&#8221;. This type of effect will indirectly influence or affect a creature, but these are not the same as a \u201ctarget\u201d scenario.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s break down why this rule exists: it\u2019s primarily for clarity and preventing infinite loops or unintuitive scenarios. Imagine if a creature could target itself with an ability that granted +1\/+1. It could potentially boost itself into absurdity. This also has implications for interactions with cards that manipulate targets, where it could create confusion with how targets can be redirected. This basic rule helps keep the game flowing smoothly and predictably.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To further clarify the complexities of targeting in MTG, let&#8217;s address some common questions:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_creature_with_shroud_target_itself\"><\/span>Can a creature with shroud target itself?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. <strong>Shroud<\/strong> prevents a creature from being the target of <em>any<\/em> spell or ability, including those controlled by its owner. Therefore, a creature with shroud cannot target itself or be the target of any ability or spell controlled by its controller.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_an_illegal_target_in_MTG\"><\/span>What is an illegal target in MTG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An <strong>illegal target<\/strong> is a target that does not meet the criteria specified by the spell or ability or is otherwise ineligible to be targeted. Examples include a creature that is no longer in the zone it was when it was targeted, or an object that has protection from a certain ability or is phased out. Also, and importantly, a spell or ability on the stack cannot target itself.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_counts_as_targeting_in_MTG\"><\/span>What counts as targeting in MTG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In MTG, <strong>targeting<\/strong> is explicitly identified by the phrase &#8220;target [something].&#8221; This means that if a card or ability uses that phrase, it requires a specific target. This could be a creature, a player, a permanent, or any other eligible game object depending on the specific card text. If a card effect has no mention of &#8216;target&#8217;, then it does not target.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_counterspell_target_itself\"><\/span>Can a counterspell target itself?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Absolutely not. A <strong>counterspell<\/strong> on the stack cannot target itself, nor can it be redirected to target itself. Spells and abilities on the stack cannot target themselves, period. This fundamental rule maintains clarity and ensures that counterspell interactions are resolved in a structured manner.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_%E2%80%9Ctarget_creature%E2%80%9D_mean_in_Magic\"><\/span>What does &#8220;target creature&#8221; mean in Magic?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>Target creature<\/strong>&#8221; means that a spell or ability must select one legal creature as its target. Depending on the card text, it might be any creature on the battlefield, a creature you control, or a creature an opponent controls. The specific wording of the card determines what type of creature is a valid target.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_copying_count_as_targeting_in_MTG\"><\/span>Does copying count as targeting in MTG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>copying a spell or ability does not count as targeting<\/strong> in itself. The copy inherits all the original&#8217;s characteristics, including the original targets selected. The act of copying itself does not create any new targeting opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_hexproof_stop_deathtouch\"><\/span>Does hexproof stop deathtouch?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>hexproof does not stop deathtouch<\/strong>. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being <em>targeted<\/em> by an opponent\u2019s spells or abilities. Deathtouch, on the other hand, is a static ability that applies when a creature deals damage. Therefore, hexproof has no bearing on how deathtouch operates.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Equip_count_as_targeting_in_MTG\"><\/span>Does Equip count as targeting in MTG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. The <strong>Equip ability<\/strong> targets the creature that you are attaching the equipment to, as indicated in the reminder text. This means a creature with hexproof or shroud cannot be the target of Equip abilities controlled by an opponent or in the case of shroud, by anyone at all.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Hexproof_stop_you_from_targeting_your_own_creature\"><\/span>Does Hexproof stop you from targeting your own creature?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>hexproof only stops opponents from targeting your creatures<\/strong>. It doesn\u2019t restrict you from targeting your own creatures. However, if a creature has <strong>shroud<\/strong> then it cannot be targeted by anyone, including yourself.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_target_a_phased_out_creature\"><\/span>Can you target a phased out creature?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, you <strong>cannot target a phased out creature<\/strong>. While a permanent is phased out, it is treated as though it doesn&#8217;t exist on the battlefield. So it cannot be the target of anything.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_target_a_creature_if_it_is_tapped\"><\/span>Can you target a creature if it is tapped?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Unless a card specifies otherwise, the <strong>tapped or untapped status of a creature does not affect its eligibility as a target<\/strong>. Any permanent or creature can be chosen as a target. The targeted effect or ability simply ignores the instruction of tapping the card if it cannot be tapped.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_spells_dont_target_in_MTG\"><\/span>What spells don\u2019t target in MTG?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Spells that don&#8217;t use the word &#8220;target&#8221; explicitly do <strong>not target<\/strong>. For instance, spells that say &#8220;destroy all creatures&#8221; do not use the word target and do not target anything. This also means they can affect creatures with protection, hexproof, or shroud.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Reprieve_target_itself\"><\/span>Can Reprieve target itself?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>Reprieve<\/strong> cannot target itself because spells and abilities on the stack cannot target themselves. This rule prevents infinite loops or other unintuitive interactions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_Hexproof_protect_from\"><\/span>What does Hexproof protect from?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Hexproof<\/strong> protects a player or permanent from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. It specifically blocks targeting actions, regardless of the source.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_deathtouch_destroy_indestructible\"><\/span>Can deathtouch destroy indestructible?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>deathtouch cannot destroy a creature with indestructible<\/strong>. While deathtouch causes lethal damage, and would normally destroy a creature, creatures with indestructible cannot be destroyed by lethal damage.<\/p>\n<p>Understanding the intricacies of targeting in Magic: The Gathering is essential for both new and experienced players. Although a creature cannot directly target itself, the rules around targeting and its various effects can be complex. By grasping these fundamentals, players can better navigate the strategic possibilities of the game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can a Creature Target Itself in Magic: The Gathering? The short, direct answer is no, a creature cannot directly target itself with its own abilities or spells that it might be linked to. This is a fundamental rule within Magic: The Gathering (MTG) that prevents confusing and potentially game-breaking scenarios. While this seems straightforward, the &#8230; <a title=\"Can a creature target itself magic?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/can-a-creature-target-itself-magic\/\" aria-label=\"More on Can a creature target itself magic?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7248"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7248\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}