Can I Block with a Creature that Has Protection from Color?
When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, creatures with protection from a specific color can be a game-changer in terms of defense. But what happens if you have a creature with protection from a color and you want to block an attacking creature? Can you use your protected creature to block the attack, or will the protection prevent it from doing so?
The Basic Rule
The basic rule is that a creature with protection from a specific color cannot be affected by anything with that color identity. This means that any source of damage, ability, or effect with that color identity cannot target, damage, or otherwise interact with the protected creature. Protection from a color means that the creature cannot be blocked by any creatures with that color identity.
Blocking and Protection
So, if a creature has protection from a specific color, can it block an attacking creature with the same color identity? The answer is yes. A creature with protection from a color can block an attacking creature with the same color identity. The protection only prevents the attacking creature from dealing damage to the blocked creature, but the blocking itself is not affected.
An Example
Let’s say you have a Soltari Foot Soldier with Protection from Blue on the battlefield. Your opponent attacks with a Deep-Sea Serpent with Flying. In this scenario, the Soltari Foot Soldier can block the Deep-Sea Serpent even though the attacking creature is blue and the blocked creature has protection from blue. The protection only prevents the Deep-Sea Serpent from dealing damage to the Soltari Foot Soldier, but the blocking is allowed to occur.
How Protection Affects Deathtouch
When a creature has deathtouch, it deals lethal damage to any creature it attacks. But if the creature has protection from a color, deathtouch does not work. This is because deathtouch is an ability that requires the attacking creature to deal damage to the blocked creature, which is prevented by the protection.
How Protection Affects Board Wipes
When a board wipe effect occurs, it destroys all creatures on the battlefield with the same color identity. Protection from a color does not prevent a creature from being destroyed by a board wipe. This is because board wipes are not considered "abilities" with a specific color identity, but rather a global effect that targets all creatures of a certain color.
Key Points to Remember
Here are some key points to remember when it comes to protection from color and blocking:
- A creature with protection from a color cannot be blocked by any creatures with that color identity.
- A creature with protection from a color can block an attacking creature with the same color identity.
- Deathtouch does not work on a creature with protection from a color.
- Protection from a color does not prevent a creature from being destroyed by a board wipe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you have a creature with protection from a color and you want to block an attacking creature, you can do so as long as the attacking creature has a different color identity than the protected creature. Remember to keep in mind the differences between deathtouch and board wipes when interacting with protected creatures.
Table: Key Differences
| Ability | Color Identity | Deathtouch | Board Wipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection from Color | Prevents blocking | Prevents deathtouch | Does not prevent board wipe |
I hope this article has been helpful in clarifying the rules around protection from color and blocking in Magic: The Gathering. Happy gaming!