Does Hexproof Stop Wrath of God?
The Answer in a Nutshell
Hexproof, a keyword ability introduced in Magic: The Gathering, prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities played by opponents. However, when it comes to Wrath of God, a popular red instant card that destroys all creatures on the battlefield, hexproof is of no help.
Why Hexproof Can’t Stop Wrath of God
To understand why hexproof can’t stop wrath of God, let’s break down the abilities of these two cards. Wrath of God destroys all creatures on the battlefield, while Hexproof prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities played by opponents. Here are the key differences:
| Wrath of God | Hexproof | |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | Destroys all creatures on the battlefield | Prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities played by opponents |
| Targeting | Targets all creatures on the battlefield | Prevents targeting |
As you can see, wrath of God does not target specific creatures with hexproof. Instead, it affects all creatures on the battlefield, regardless of whether they have hexproof or not. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of a spell or ability, not from being affected by it.
But What About Protection?
Protection, another keyword ability, provides similar benefits to hexproof. However, protection is more restrictive in its effects. When a creature with protection from white is affected by a white spell or ability, the creature’s controller gets to choose what happens to it. For example, if a white creature with protection from white is affected by wrath of God, the controller gets to choose whether to destroy the creature or return it to the battlefield.
In contrast, hexproof doesn’t have these restrictions. When a creature with hexproof is affected by a spell or ability, it’s simply not the target of the effect. The creature might still be affected by other effects, including wrath of God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hexproof does not stop wrath of God. While hexproof prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities played by opponents, wrath of God destroys all creatures on the battlefield, regardless of whether they have hexproof or not. Protection, on the other hand, provides more restricted benefits, but even then, a creature with protection from white would not be safe from wrath of God’s effects.
Common Scenarios Where Hexproof Won’t Save You
Here are some common scenarios where hexproof won’t save you from wrath of God:
• When a creature is attacked by multiple creatures: Even if your creature has hexproof, it will still take the damage from all attacking creatures, including those that don’t have hexproof.
• When a creature is targeted by multiple spells: Hexproof won’t prevent your creature from being affected by multiple spells or abilities that target it, including wrath of God.
• When a creature is part of a sacrifice: Even if your creature has hexproof, it can still be sacrificed or destroyed as part of a sacrifice effect.
In these scenarios, hexproof is no guarantee of protection, and you’ll still need to be careful about your creature’s fate.