Does Hexproof apply to artifacts?

A common question in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Hexproof is an ability that prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities played by opponents. But what if we ask if Hexproof applies to artifacts? Sounds like a straightforward question, but it’s not a simple one. Let’s dive in and explore it further.

What exactly is Hexproof?

Before we get into what Hexproof does or doesn’t do with artifacts, we need to understand what this ability does in general. Hexproof is an inherent ability, which means that it is part of an object’s identity. Its primary effect is to provide protection to the object on which it is cast on from targeted spells and abilities. Think of it like saying, "Hey, none of my opponents can control you directly."

Main Points

Here are a few key points to recap:

• Hexproof prevents targeted spells and abilities: Spells and abilities target specific permanents or objects, making them vulnerable. Hexproof stops this control by rendering the object unstoppable.
• It won’t save you from planeswalkers: Planeswalkers can still kill you through indirect means such as deathtouch or indirect damage.
• Other forms of exile won’t save you: If your opponent exiles your object, you must still resolve the effect specified on the card.

So, let’s get down to the question: do artifacts benefit from Hexproof?

Do artifacts profit from Hexproof?
Artifacts have something called ‘Equipped…’:

Some artifacts benefit from Equipped…, whether it’s an Equipment source or not. For each artifact, if it’s equip-ment-able but not already equipped, one can become the equipped of the Equipment source. Remember, though, that certain Equipment sources are more reliable than others. So that’s when Hexproof saves the day! If Equipped…, Hexproof gets to join the fray:
‘Artifacts Have Hexproof’:

From this perspective, the more reliable equipment source can either become your equipment source – if an Equipment source equipped to something that isn’t already the equipped source) – and, of these, Artifacts (that can become the targeted source of spells or players) won’t be (targeted by spells for opponents.)

1. Hexproof applies…
   •…to per-man-ents
   • In the absence of the keyword ability Indestructible;
   • It does when a per-man-ent is equipping…
   This means there can’t be a 100% surefire conclusion that ‘Hexproof’, the ‘keyword’s. In fact you have these:

1, #2, #3**: The primary keyword’s

4,, and ”: All non-Keywords.