Does Sacrifice Ignore Indestructible?
When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, understanding the rules and interactions between cards is crucial to making informed decisions during gameplay. One of the most common questions that players have is whether sacrifice ignores indestructible. In this article, we’ll dive into the rules and mechanics of sacrifice and indestructible to provide a comprehensive answer.
What is Indestructible?
Indestructible is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed. This means that if a permanent with indestructible is targeted by a spell or ability that would destroy it, it will not be destroyed. Instead, the spell or ability will simply fail to resolve. Indestructible is not the same as regeneration, which allows a permanent to regenerate life and return to the battlefield.
What is Sacrifice?
Sacrifice is a mechanic that allows a player to exile a permanent from the game in exchange for a specific benefit. Sacrifice can be triggered by a card effect, such as a sacrifice creature, or by a player’s decision to sacrifice a permanent voluntarily. When a permanent is sacrificed, it is sent to the graveyard and cannot be played again.
Does Sacrifice Ignore Indestructible?
In short, the answer is no. Sacrifice does not ignore indestructible. When a permanent with indestructible is sacrificed, it is still destroyed and sent to the graveyard. This means that even if a permanent has indestructible, it can still be sacrificed and will be destroyed as a result.
Example:
Let’s consider an example to illustrate this point. Suppose a player has a creature with indestructible on the battlefield. Another player plays a sacrifice spell that targets the creature, saying "Exile target creature." Even though the creature has indestructible, it is still sacrificed and sent to the graveyard.
Key Takeaway:
Indestructible does not prevent sacrifice. When a permanent with indestructible is sacrificed, it is still destroyed and sent to the graveyard.
Can You Sacrifice an Indestructible Permanent?
Another common question is whether it is possible to sacrifice an indestructible permanent. The answer is yes, but it depends on the specific card effect. Some cards, such as Sacrifice creature, can sacrifice an indestructible permanent, while others cannot.
Table:
| Card Effect | Can Sacrifice Indestructible? |
|---|---|
| Sacrifice creature | Yes |
| Regenerate | No |
| Exile | Yes |
Why Can’t You Sacrifice an Indestructible Permanent?
There is a common misconception that you can’t sacrifice an indestructible permanent because indestructible is a "protective" ability that prevents destruction. However, sacrifice is not a destruction effect. Sacrifice is an exile effect that removes the permanent from the game in exchange for a benefit. Indestructible only prevents destruction, not exile.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, sacrifice does not ignore indestructible. When a permanent with indestructible is sacrificed, it is still destroyed and sent to the graveyard. However, it is possible to sacrifice an indestructible permanent using certain card effects. Understanding the difference between destruction and exile is crucial to making informed decisions during gameplay.
References:
- Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules
- Official Magic: The Gathering FAQs
- Wizards of the Coast official website
By understanding the rules and interactions between sacrifice and indestructible, you can make more informed decisions during gameplay and improve your chances of winning. Remember to always consult the Comprehensive Rules and Official FAQs for the most up-to-date information on Magic: The Gathering rules.