Can You Sacrifice a Permanent with Indestructible?
Indestructible permanents can still be put into their owner’s graveyard by other means, such as by the "legend rule", by being sacrificed or (in the case of creatures) having zero or less toughness. However, sacrificing an indestructible permanent is a tricky question, and we will delve into it in this article.
Sacrificing an Indestructible Permanent: What Happens?
Before we dive into the question of whether you can sacrifice a permanent with indestructible, let’s understand what "indestructible" means in Magic: The Gathering. An indestructible permanent means that the permanent can’t be destroyed, can’t be broken, and can’t be sent to the graveyard from the battlefield due to lethal damage or by lethal effects.
When a player tries to sacrifice an indestructible permanent, nothing happens. The permanent stays on the battlefield and cannot be put into the graveyard.
Exceptions: Putting Indestructible Permanents into the Graveyard
There are certain circumstances under which indestructible permanents can be put into the graveyard:
• Legendary Rule: A player can’t cast two copies of the same spell in a turn. If an indestructible permanent would put an indestructible legendary creature onto the battlefield, that creature would go to the graveyard because of the "legend rule" even though it is indestructible.
• Creatures with 0 or Less Toughness: A creature’s toughness can’t be reduced below 0, but a player can target a creature with a spell that destroys or removes the creature. In this case, even an indestructible creature will be put into the graveyard if its toughness is reduced to 0.
• Exile and Destruction: If an indestructible permanent is targeted by an exile or destruction spell, the permanent is put into exile (not the graveyard).
• Rules-Based Exclusions: There may be specific card effects that specifically state "you can’t sacrifice an indestructible permanent". These rules take precedence over indestructibility.
The Rules: What Do They Say?
Here’s a summary of the Magic: The Gathering official rules that relate to indestructible permanents and sacrificing:
| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| 602.6d | If an object is indestructible, that means it can’t be destroyed by anything, including combat, sacrifice, and exile effects. |
| 607.6c | Sacrifice means putting an object onto the bottom of its owner’s library, but an indestructible permanent cannot be sacrificed. |
| 706.5c | An object that has toughness can be put into the graveyard due to combat, even if it is indestructible. |
In Conclusion
Sacrificing an indestructible permanent is not possible. The indestructible trait ensures that a permanent cannot be destroyed, destroyed by lethal damage, or put into the graveyard. However, there are specific exceptions under which an indestructible permanent can still be put into the graveyard. Remember, if you want to sacrifice an indestructible permanent, nothing happens – the permanent stays on the battlefield.