Do Board Wipes Kill Planeswalkers?
When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, board wipes can be a game-changer in a match. They allow players to quickly clean up the board of opponents’ creatures and leave themselves in a strong position to win. But, as players, we’ve often found ourselves wondering: Do board wipes kill Planeswalkers?
The Basics: Planeswalkers
For those who may be new to Magic: The Gathering, a Planeswalker is a type of spell card that represents a powerful mage who has harnessed the power of the magical plane. They’re characterized by their unique abilities and loyalty counters, which represent their strength and ability to survive. Planeswalkers can be cast and played just like other creatures, but they also have the ability to enter the battlefield and participate in the game.
What Happens When a Planeswalker Dies?
So, when a Planeswalker dies, its death is triggered as a state-based action. In most cases, a Planeswalker’s death simply sends it to the graveyard and removes it from the game. However, there are certain situations where a Planeswalker’s death can trigger additional effects, such as its abilities being played once more or its opponents gaining life.
How Board Wipes Affect Planeswalkers
When a board wipe hits the battlefield, it will affect all creatures, including Planeswalkers, under the following conditions:
• If the board wipe explicitly targets Planeswalkers: In this case, the board wipe will simply destroy the Planeswalkers on the board.
• If the board wipe doesn’t specifically target Planeswalkers but does affect all creatures: In this scenario, Planeswalkers will still be destroyed by the board wipe, just like regular creatures.
But Here’s the Catch: Looting and Scourge Wipes
Not all board wipes are created equal, and some may specifically ignore Planeswalkers. For example, some wipes may have a trigger effect that allows players to loot – retrieve cards from the bottom of their deck – whenever a creature is destroyed by the wipe. This could allow Planeswalkers to survive the wipe by bouncing back to their player’s hand.
On the other hand, Scourge wipes will exile any permanent that is destroyed, sending them to the graveyard or the exile zone, where they cannot return.
Conclusion: Board Wipes and Planeswalkers
In summary, board wipes do indeed kill Planeswalkers unless they specifically have abilities that allow them to survive or return from the dead. Planeswalkers are treated just like other creatures when it comes to board wipes, meaning they will be destroyed and sent to the graveyard if affected by a board wipe. However, certain situations like looting or Scourge wipes can make them more resilient. Ultimately, understanding how board wipes affect Planeswalkers will help you make more informed decisions during your Magic games and improve your chances of victory.
Tips for Working with Planeswalkers
• Build your deck around your Planeswalker: Planeswalkers are powerful and deserve a deck that showcases their strengths.
• Combine with other creatures and effects: Planeswalkers work best when supported by other creatures and effects.
• Use board wipes strategically: Board wipes can be a powerful tool for eliminating opponents’ threats and making room for your Planeswalkers.
• Keep an eye out for looting and Scourge wipes: Certain wipes can allow Planeswalkers to survive, while others can exile them.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Timing is everything: Timing your Planeswalker’s entry onto the board can be crucial. Enter too early, and your Planeswalker may die quickly. Enter too late, and you may struggle to make an impact.
- Pay attention to the opponent’s life total: If the opponent’s life total is low, your Planeswalker’s damage output may not matter, and you should prioritize more immediate threats.
- Keep an eye out for removal spells: Players can use removal spells to quickly eliminate your Planeswalker. Keep a defensive mind and be prepared to answer threats.
- Beware of sweepers and wipes: Sweeper spells and wipes can devastate your board, especially if you have multiple threats.
- Consider life-gain strategies: In certain situations, focusing on life-gain strategies may help you survive and make up for lost ground.
I hope this article has given you a better understanding of how board wipes affect Planeswalkers.