Does Deathtouch work on Planeswalkers?

Does Deathtouch Work on Planeswalkers?

In Magic: The Gathering, Deathtouch is a popular static ability that causes a creature to kill any creature it deals damage to. However, many players are left wondering whether Deathtouch works on Planeswalkers, which are a unique type of permanent. In this article, we’ll dive into the rules and explore whether Deathtouch can take down a Planeswalker.

Deathtouch: The Basics

Before we get into the specifics of Planeswalkers, let’s review the basics of Deathtouch. Deathtouch is a static ability that means that if a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature, that creature is destroyed. It’s a powerful ability that can be used to take out problematic creatures and gain an advantage on the battlefield.

Do Planeswalkers Qualify as Creatures?

One of the key questions surrounding Deathtouch and Planeswalkers is whether Planeswalkers qualify as creatures. Planar Counsel from the Modern Masters set defines a Planeswalker as a permanent, but it doesn’t explicitly state whether a Planeswalker is a creature. According to the Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules, a creature is defined as a permanent that has creature types. Planeswalkers have planeswalker types, which is a separate category from creature types.

Does Deathtouch Target Planeswalkers?

Given that Planeswalkers are not creatures, it’s natural to wonder whether Deathtouch can target them. Deathtouch is a targeted ability, meaning it requires a specific target to be chosen. When a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature, it automatically destroys that creature. Since Planeswalkers are not creatures, Deathtouch cannot target them directly.

Can Deathtouch Indirectly Affect Planeswalkers?

While Deathtouch cannot target Planeswalkers directly, it’s possible for Deathtouch to indirectly affect a Planeswalker. For example, if a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to a creature that’s being attacked by a Planeswalker, the Planeswalker might lose loyalty as a result of the creature’s destruction. However, this is not a direct application of Deathtouch, but rather a secondary effect.

Summary: Deathtouch and Planeswalkers

To summarize, Deathtouch does not work on Planeswalkers. Planeswalkers are not creatures, and Deathtouch is a targeted ability that requires a specific target to be chosen. While Deathtouch can indirectly affect a Planeswalker, it cannot target them directly.

Implications for Deckbuilding

For deckbuilders, this means that Planeswalkers are a unique category of permanents that require specialized removal strategies. Deathtouch is not a reliable way to remove a Planeswalker, and deckbuilders will need to consider alternative removal spells or abilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Deathtouch does not work on Planeswalkers. Planeswalkers are not creatures, and Deathtouch is a targeted ability that requires a specific target to be chosen. While Deathtouch can indirectly affect a Planeswalker, it’s essential for deckbuilders to understand the limitations of this ability and develop strategies to effectively remove Planeswalkers from the game.