Can you infect a planeswalker?

Can You Infect a Planeswalker?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, planeswalkers are powerful beings with extraordinary abilities. They are a key part of the game’s strategy and can be a game-changer on the battlefield. But what happens when a planeswalker is attacked by a creature with infect? Can they be infected, and what are the consequences?

Direct Answer: Yes, Planeswalkers Can be Infected

The short answer is yes, planeswalkers can be infected by creatures with infect. Infect is a keyword ability that deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters, and it can also deal damage to planeswalkers. This means that if a planeswalker is attacked by a creature with infect, the infect ability will deal damage to the planeswalker, just like it would to a regular creature.

How Infect Affects Planeswalkers

When a planeswalker is infected, the -1/-1 counters will be placed on the planeswalker’s card, just like they would be on a regular creature. The counters will not affect the planeswalker’s loyalty counters, however. Loyalty counters are used to track a planeswalker’s life total, and they are separate from the -1/-1 counters placed by infect.

Here’s a summary of how infect affects planeswalkers:

Consequences of Infecting a Planeswalker

Inflicting a planeswalker with -1/-1 counters can have significant consequences for the game. A planeswalker with too many -1/-1 counters may become vulnerable to removal, as they may no longer have the necessary loyalty counters to remain on the battlefield. Additionally, infected planeswalkers may lose their abilities or become unable to attack, depending on the specific abilities of the planeswalker and the -1/-1 counters placed on it.

Defending Against Infect

If you’re playing a planeswalker and want to defend against infect, there are several strategies you can employ:

• Use creatures with deathtouch: Creatures with deathtouch can remove -1/-1 counters from planeswalkers, effectively undoing the damage dealt by infect.
• Use removal spells: Spells that remove creatures or planeswalkers from the game can help mitigate the effects of infect.
• Use cards that interact with -1/-1 counters: Cards like Mwonvuli Acid-Moss can remove -1/-1 counters from planeswalkers, while cards like Vines of Vastwood can add additional -1/-1 counters to planeswalkers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, planeswalkers can be infected by creatures with infect, and the -1/-1 counters will be placed on the planeswalker’s card. While this can have significant consequences for the game, there are several strategies you can employ to defend against infect. By understanding how infect affects planeswalkers and using the right cards and abilities, you can effectively counter the effects of infect and maintain your planeswalker on the battlefield.