What Happens if a Creature with Deathtouch Deals 0 Damage?
Deathtouch is a powerful ability in Magic: The Gathering that can turn a creature into a formidable killing machine. But what happens if a creature with Deathtouch deals 0 damage? In this article, we’ll explore the answers to this question and delve into the intricacies of Deathtouch in Magic.
Can a Creature with Deathtouch Deal 0 Damage?
Before we dive into the answer, let’s clarify whether a creature with Deathtouch can actually deal 0 damage. The answer is yes. A creature with Deathtouch can deal 0 damage, and this is a legitimate scenario.
What Happens When a Creature with Deathtouch Deals 0 Damage?
Now that we’ve established that a creature with Deathtouch can deal 0 damage, let’s discuss what happens in this situation. If a creature with Deathtouch deals 0 damage, it cannot destroy any creatures. This is because Deathtouch’s ability is triggered by the creature dealing damage to a creature, and since 0 damage was dealt, the ability doesn’t trigger.
Does Deathtouch Still Work if the Creature is Blocked?
Another important question to consider is what happens if a creature with Deathtouch is blocked. If a creature with Deathtouch is blocked, and the blocker is destroyed, Deathtouch still works. This means that even if the blocker is destroyed, the creature with Deathtouch can still deal damage to the player who controlled the blocker.
Do Abilities Triggered by Deathtouch Still Work if the Creature Deals 0 Damage?
Some abilities triggered by Deathtouch might not work if the creature deals 0 damage. For example, an ability that says "Whenever this creature deals damage to a creature, it gets +2/+2" won’t trigger if the creature deals 0 damage. However, some abilities might still work, such as ones that trigger on the creature dealing damage to a player.
Can a Creature with Deathtouch Be Blocked?
Deathtouch can only destroy creatures, not players. A creature with Deathtouch can be blocked by any creature, including ones with flying. However, if a flying creature blocks a non-flying creature with Deathtouch, the flying creature must be destroyed, as Deathtouch still works.
Indestructible and Deathtouch
Indestructible creatures are immune to Deathtouch. If a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to an indestructible creature, the indestructible creature is not destroyed. However, the creature with Deathtouch can still deal damage to the player who controls the indestructible creature.
Deathtouch and Protection
Protection from a color can prevent damage from being dealt to a creature. If a creature with Deathtouch deals 0 damage to a creature with protection from a color, the Deathtouch ability won’t trigger. However, if a creature with Deathtouch deals 1 or more damage to a creature with protection from a color, the Deathtouch ability will trigger and destroy the protected creature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a creature with Deathtouch can deal 0 damage, and in this situation, the Deathtouch ability won’t trigger and destroy any creatures. However, some abilities triggered by Deathtouch might still work, and the creature with Deathtouch can still be blocked by any creature. Additionally, indestructible creatures are immune to Deathtouch, and protection from a color can prevent damage from being dealt to a creature. By understanding how Deathtouch works in these scenarios, you can better incorporate this powerful ability into your Magic: The Gathering gameplay.
Deathtouch FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Deathtouch:
- Can a creature with Deathtouch deal 0 damage?: Yes, a creature with Deathtouch can deal 0 damage.
- What happens if a creature with Deathtouch deals 0 damage?: The Deathtouch ability won’t trigger and destroy any creatures.
- Can a creature with Deathtouch be blocked?: Yes, a creature with Deathtouch can be blocked by any creature.
- Does Deathtouch still work if the creature is blocked?: Yes, if a creature with Deathtouch is blocked and the blocker is destroyed, Deathtouch still works.
- Do abilities triggered by Deathtouch still work if the creature deals 0 damage?: It depends on the ability, some might still work, and some might not.
Deathtouch References
Here are some references to help you better understand Deathtouch:
- Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules: Section 701.12 – Deathtouch
- Magic: The Gathering FAQ: Q: What happens if a creature with Deathtouch deals 0 damage?
- Magic: The Gathering Strategy: Deathtouch – A Guide to Magic’s Deadliest Ability