Can you target attack a tapped creature?

Can You Target Attack a Tapped Creature?

In Magic: The Gathering, targeting an attacking creature with an ability or spell is a common occurrence. However, a question that often arises is whether you can target an attacking creature that is already tapped. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide examples to illustrate the concept.

Direct Answer: Yes, You Can Target a Tapped Creature

The answer to this question is yes, you can target a tapped creature. Tapping or untapping a creature does not prevent it from being targeted. This means that even if a creature is already tapped, you can still target it with an ability or spell.

Examples

• Dungeon Geists: As an example, consider the ability of Dungeon Geists, which states "You can’t cast this spell unless you control an enchantment." If you control an enchantment and cast Dungeon Geists, you can target a tapped creature with its ability.
• Dispatch: Another example is the spell Dispatch, which states "Target creature." If you target a tapped creature with Dispatch, it will be exiled, regardless of its tapped or untapped status.

Why Can You Target a Tapped Creature?

There are a few reasons why you can target a tapped creature:

• Tapping or untapping a creature does not change its status as a permanent: Even if a creature is tapped, it remains a permanent on the battlefield and can still be targeted.
• Targeting a creature is not the same as attacking it: Targeting a creature allows you to apply an ability or spell to it, whereas attacking a creature involves dealing combat damage to it.
• Tapping a creature does not prevent it from being targeted: As mentioned earlier, tapping a creature does not prevent it from being targeted with an ability or spell.

Consequences of Targeting a Tapped Creature

When you target a tapped creature, there are a few consequences to consider:

• The creature will remain tapped: If you target a tapped creature, it will remain tapped after the ability or spell resolves.
• The creature will not untap: If you target a tapped creature, it will not untap during its controller’s untap step.
• The creature will not be able to attack or block: If a creature is tapped, it cannot attack or block, even if it is targeted by an ability or spell.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, you can target a tapped creature with an ability or spell. This is because tapping or untapping a creature does not change its status as a permanent, and targeting a creature is not the same as attacking it. However, there are consequences to consider when targeting a tapped creature, such as it remaining tapped and not untapping.