Do board wipes target?

Do Board Wipes Target?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, board wipes are a popular and powerful card type that can completely transform the game state. But one of the most common questions about board wipes is whether they target or not. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of board wipes and explore the answer to this question.

What are Board Wipes?

Before we dive into the targeting aspect of board wipes, let’s define what they are. Board wipes are a type of spell or ability that destroys or exiles all permanents on the battlefield. They can be found in white, black, and even other colors, and are often used to clear the board of opposing creatures and planeswalkers.

Do Board Wipes Target?

So, do board wipes target? The answer is no, they do not target. According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, a board wipe is not a targeting spell or ability. This means that it does not require a player to choose specific permanents to destroy or exile.

Why Don’t Board Wipes Target?

There are a few reasons why board wipes don’t target. First, targeting is a mechanism that allows a spell or ability to affect specific permanents on the battlefield. Board wipes, on the other hand, affect all permanents on the battlefield, making them a blanket effect rather than a targeted one.

Second, board wipes are often designed to be broad and sweeping, affecting multiple permanents at once. This is in contrast to targeted spells and abilities, which typically affect a single permanent or a small group of permanents.

How Do Board Wipes Work?

So, how do board wipes work if they don’t target? Board wipes typically work by saying something like "Destroy all permanents" or "Exile all permanents." This means that all permanents on the battlefield are destroyed or exiled, regardless of their color, type, or any other characteristic.

What About Protection and Hexproof?

But what about protection and hexproof? Don’t those abilities prevent a permanent from being destroyed or exiled? The answer is yes, they do. But board wipes are an exception to this rule. Even if a permanent has protection or hexproof, it will still be destroyed or exiled by a board wipe.

Examples of Board Wipes

Here are a few examples of board wipes from Magic: The Gathering:

• Wrath of God: This classic white sorcery destroys all creatures.
• Anger of the Gods: This black sorcery destroys all creatures and exiles all other permanents.
• Day of Judgment: This white sorcery destroys all creatures and planeswalkers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, board wipes do not target permanents on the battlefield. Instead, they are broad and sweeping effects that affect all permanents, regardless of their color, type, or any other characteristic. While protection and hexproof can prevent a permanent from being destroyed or exiled, board wipes are an exception to this rule.

Common Questions and Answers

Here are some common questions and answers about board wipes:

• Q: Do board wipes target?
• A: No, board wipes do not target.
• Q: How do board wipes work?
• A: Board wipes typically destroy or exile all permanents on the battlefield.
• Q: What about protection and hexproof?
• A: Protection and hexproof do not prevent a permanent from being destroyed or exiled by a board wipe.
• Q: Are there any exceptions to this rule?
• A: Yes, some cards and abilities may have specific text that prevents them from being destroyed or exiled by a board wipe.

Table: Common Board Wipes

Here is a table of some common board wipes in Magic: The Gathering:

I hope this article has helped you understand how board wipes work in Magic: The Gathering. Remember, board wipes do not target permanents on the battlefield, and are instead broad and sweeping effects that affect all permanents.