Does Destroy All Work on Indestructible?
Direct Answer
No, destroy all does not work on indestructible creatures. Indestructible creatures are immune to destruction, regardless of the method used, including destroy all effects. This is stated in the official Magic: The Gathering rules: "Indestructible means that the object can’t be destroyed. It can’t be put into a graveyard, sent to the bottom of its owner’s library, or otherwise removed from the game. (701.6, ‘Destroy’)"
What is Indestructible?
Indestructible is a keyword ability that means a permanent, such as a creature, land, or other object, cannot be destroyed. This includes destruction by spells, abilities, and other forms of destruction. Indestructible permanents are often difficult to remove from the game, making them formidable opponents.
How does Indestructible interact with Destroy All effects?
Destroy All is a type of spell effect that destroys one or more creatures with specific characteristics. These effects usually target creatures with certain characteristics, such as power, toughness, or card types. Destroy All effects typically read, "Destroy all [creature/card type/characteristic]." However, indestructible creatures are immune to these effects.
Examples
- A Destroy All spell targeting all creatures with power 2 or greater. An indestructible creature with power 2 would not be destroyed.
- A Destroy All spell targeting all creatures with flying. An indestructible creature with flying would not be destroyed.
Why doesn’t Destroy All work on indestructible creatures?
The primary reason destroy all effects do not work on indestructible creatures is that indestructible means the object cannot be destroyed. Destruction implies the permanent is removed from the game, which indestructible creatures are resistant to.
Implications
Understanding how indestructible interacts with destroy all effects is crucial for strategic gameplay. As a commander, it’s essential to consider the potential consequences of playing indestructible creatures and destroy all effects in the same deck.
Deckbuilding Strategies
- Play indestructible creatures as a means to avoid destruction and gain an advantage on the board.
- Include destroy all effects to remove problematic creatures or gain card advantage.
- Use indestructible creatures as a hedge against destroy all effects by providing a "free pass" for creatures with specific characteristics.
In Conclusion
In summary, destroy all effects do not work on indestructible creatures. Indestructible creatures are immune to destruction, including destroy all effects. As a Magic player, understanding the interactions between indestructible and destroy all effects will help you make informed deckbuilding and strategic decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Indestructible means a permanent cannot be destroyed.
- Destroy all effects do not work on indestructible creatures.
- Play indestructible creatures to avoid destruction and gain an advantage.
- Include destroy all effects to remove problematic creatures or gain card advantage.
FAQs
- Do indestructible creatures always survive destruction?
- No, indestructible creatures are not immune to other forms of removal, such as sacrifice or exile.
- Can destroy all effects destroy indestructible creatures in response?
- No, destroy all effects cannot destroy indestructible creatures, regardless of timing.
- Can destroy all effects target indestructible creatures indirectly?
- No, destroy all effects must directly target creatures to destroy them, which indestructible creatures cannot be.
By understanding how indestructible interacts with destroy all effects, you can make more informed decisions at the game table and develop a competitive strategy.