Does ninjutsu count as attacking in Magic The Gathering?

Does Ninjutsu Count as Attacking in Magic The Gathering?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, ninjutsu is a fascinating mechanic that allows a creature to be placed onto the battlefield and replace an unblocked creature that attacked earlier in the combat phase. But a crucial question arises: does ninjutsu count as attacking in Magic: The Gathering?

Understanding Ninjutsu

To answer this question, we need to delve deeper into the concept of ninjutsu. Ninjutsu is a ability that allows a creature to replace another creature on the battlefield when the attacking creature isn’t blocked. The replacing creature retains the same state it had when it was created, including any auras or equipment attached to it.

Direct Answer: Does Ninjutsu Count as Attacking?

According to the official Magic: The Gathering ruling, ninjutsu does not count as attacking. This is explicitly stated in the 702.49c section of the official Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules, which states that ninjutsu can only be activated while a creature on the battlefield is unblocked, and the replaced creature is attacking the same player, planeswalker, or planes as the original creature.

Timing of Ninjutsu

So, when exactly does ninjutsu occur? Ninjutsu triggers after combat, when the defending player’s end step is processed. This means that ninjutsu can replace an unblocked creature even after the combat phase has already passed.

Triggered Abilities

Another important consideration is triggered abilities that rely on the attacking status of a creature. Ninjutsu does not trigger abilities that require a creature to attack. This includes abilities such as Annihilator, which triggers when a creature with the keyword attacks.

Example Scenario

Here’s an example scenario to illustrate how ninjutsu works:

• You control a 3/3 creature, Akane, that is attacking your opponent.
• Your opponent controls a 2/2 creature, Gori, that is blocked by your 2/2 creature, Yama.
• You use ninjutsu on Akane, replacing it with your 2/2 creature, Tora.
• Tora retains its state from when it was created, including any auras or equipment attached to it.
• Gori, the blocking creature, still blocks Tora because ninjutsu doesn’t trigger Annihilator or any other ability that requires a creature to attack.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ninjutsu does not count as attacking in Magic: The Gathering. Ninjutsu is a unique mechanic that allows creatures to be replaced on the battlefield, but it does not trigger abilities that rely on the attacking status of a creature. By understanding how ninjutsu works, you can incorporate it into your deckbuilding strategies and make the most of this fascinating mechanic.

Table of Relevant Rules

Here’s a table summarizing the relevant rules related to ninjutsu:

I hope this article helps you understand the nuances of ninjutsu in Magic: The Gathering!