Does Deathtouch Work on Vehicles?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Deathtouch is a powerful ability that can instantly destroy any creature it deals damage to. But what happens when you combine Deathtouch with vehicles? Can a vehicle with Deathtouch destroy another creature on the battlefield? In this article, we’ll delve into the rules of Magic: The Gathering to provide a comprehensive answer to this question.
Does Deathtouch Work on Vehicles?
The simple answer is: Yes, Deathtouch can work on vehicles, but only if the vehicle is a creature. As per the official Magic: The Gathering rules, if a creature with Deathtouch deals damage to another creature, it destroys that creature immediately. And, according to the same rules, a vehicle becomes a creature when it has a crew of the correct size.
When does a Vehicle become a Creature?
A vehicle becomes a creature when it is crewed by a number of creatures equal to the vehicle’s power. This means that if a vehicle has a power of 3, you need three creatures with a power of 1 or more to crew it. Once it is crewed, the vehicle can attack and deal damage like any other creature.
Crewing a Vehicle
When crewing a vehicle, remember that the creatures that make up the crew are not affected by any abilities that trigger "attacking" or "damage". This means that the creatures that crew the vehicle can still have abilities that trigger when they are tapped or when they deal damage to another creature.
The Importance of Summoning Sickness
Summoning Sickness is a key aspect to consider when dealing with vehicles. If a creature is summoned, it will have summoning sickness, which means it can’t attack or use abilities during its first turn. This includes crewing vehicles. If you want to crew a vehicle on the same turn it is summoned, you’ll need to tap it to activate its ability, which will then let you crew it.
The Rules of Combat and Deathtouch
During combat, when a vehicle with Deathtouch deals damage to another creature, it destroys that creature immediately. This is according to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, which state that Deathtouch "destroys the creature it deals damage to".
| Ability | Effect |
|---|---|
| Deathtouch | Destroys the creature it deals damage to. |
| Crew | Makes the vehicle a creature. |
| Summoning Sickness | Prevents the creature from attacking or using abilities during its first turn. |
Infect and Deathtouch
Infect is an ability that deals damage to the opponent’s life total instead of destroying the target creature. When a vehicle with Deathtouch and Infect deals damage to the opponent’s life total, it will destroy any creature it dealt damage to, in addition to dealing damage to the opponent’s life total. This means that Deathtouch and Infect work together to create a devastating combination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Deathtouch can work on vehicles, but only if the vehicle is a creature. To make a vehicle a creature, you need to crew it with the correct number of creatures. Additionally, remember that summoning sickness affects creatures, including those that crew vehicles, and that Deathtouch and Infect can be used together to devastating effect. By understanding these rules, you can use vehicles with Deathtouch to take control of the battlefield and crush your opponents.