Does Deathtouch beat protection?

Does Deathtouch Beat Protection?

In Magic: The Gathering, Deathtouch is a powerful ability that can instantly kill any creature, regardless of its power. But what happens when Deathtouch meets Protection from Black, a common ability that protects creatures from damage? Can Deathtouch still beat protection, or is it rendered useless?

The Short Answer

The short answer is yes, Deathtouch can beat Protection from Black. However, it requires a specific set of circumstances to work effectively.

How Deathtouch Works

Deathtouch is an ability that allows a creature to instantly kill any creature it deals damage to. The text on the card reads: "Deathtouch: If this creature would deal combat damage to a creature, that creature is destroyed." This means that any damage dealt by a creature with Deathtouch will automatically kill the creature it deals damage to, regardless of its power.

Protection from Black

Protection from Black is an ability that protects a creature from damage caused by black sources. It reads: "Protection from Black: This creature can’t be blocked or damaged by black sources." This ability is often found on creatures, particularly those with black mana in their mana cost.

The Interaction

Now, let’s consider the interaction between Deathtouch and Protection from Black. When a creature with Deathtouch attacks a creature with Protection from Black, it deals damage to the protected creature. In theory, the protected creature should not be able to be damaged by the attacking creature, thanks to its Protection from Black ability.

However, Deathtouch is not a traditional form of damage. It’s not a -1/-1 counter or a single point of damage. Instead, it’s an ability that instantly kills the creature dealing damage to it. This means that Deathtouch can bypass Protection from Black and still kill the creature it deals damage to.

The Edge Case

There is one edge case worth considering. If a creature with Deathtouch has Protection from Black itself, it will not be able to deal damage to a creature with Protection from Black, even if it has Deathtouch. This is because the creature with Deathtouch is also protected from black sources, including itself.

Conclusion

In summary, Deathtouch can indeed beat Protection from Black, but only in specific circumstances. If a creature with Deathtouch attacks a creature with Protection from Black, the creature with Deathtouch will instantly kill the protected creature, regardless of its protection. However, if both creatures have Protection from Black, the Deathtouch ability will not be able to deal damage to the protected creature.

Key Points

• Deathtouch is a powerful ability that can instantly kill any creature
• Protection from Black protects a creature from damage caused by black sources
• Deathtouch can bypass Protection from Black and still kill the creature it deals damage to
• If a creature with Deathtouch has Protection from Black itself, it will not be able to deal damage to a creature with Protection from Black

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Interaction
• The Edge Case
• Conclusion
• Key Points

References

1. Magic: The Gathering Official Rules
2. Wizards of the Coast Official Support
3. MTG Salvation Official Forums

Please note that this article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. It is always best to check the official rules and support articles for the most up-to-date information on a specific topic.