Does Protection Allow You to Block?
Direct Answer:
In Magic: The Gathering, protection from a color can indeed prevent a creature or player from being blocked, targeted, or affected by anything of that color. However, this does not necessarily mean that the blocking creature or player is invincible, as other game mechanics and effects can still interact with it.
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the specifics of protection and blocking, exploring the intricacies of this complex game mechanic. We’ll also examine scenarios where protection can and cannot prevent blocking, as well as the implications of this mechanism on gameplay.
Blocking and Protection: A Fundamental Understanding
Before we dive into the specifics of protection and blocking, it’s essential to understand the fundamental mechanics of blocking and attacking in Magic: The Gathering.
- Attacking: When a player attacks with a creature, they declare that creature as an attacker and specify which player or planeswalker the attack is targeting.
- Blocking: When a player blocks with a creature, they declare that creature as a blocker and specify which attacking creature they’re blocking.
Protection Mechanics
Now that we’ve covered the basics of attacking and blocking, let’s explore the protection mechanics. Protection from a color prevents a creature or player from being affected by anything of that color. This includes:
• Blocking: A creature with protection from a color cannot be blocked by a creature of that color.
• Targeting: A player or planeswalker with protection from a color cannot be targeted by an ability or spell of that color.
• Damaging: A creature or player with protection from a color cannot be dealt damage by an ability or spell of that color.
• Enchanting: A creature or player with protection from a color cannot be enchanted by an aura or equipment of that color.
Scenarios: Protection and Blocking
Here are some scenarios to help illustrate how protection can and cannot prevent blocking:
Scenario 1: A creature with protection from blue is attacked by a blue creature. Can the creature with protection be blocked by the blue creature?
Answer: No, the creature with protection cannot be blocked by the blue creature.
Scenario 2: A creature with protection from red is attacked by a red creature. Can the creature with protection be blocked by a white creature?
Answer: Yes, the creature with protection can be blocked by a white creature, as it’s not a creature of the same color.
Implications of Protection on Blocking
When a creature or player has protection from a color, it can still be affected by other game mechanics and effects. Here are some implications to keep in mind:
• Other colors: A creature or player with protection from a color can still be affected by abilities or spells from other colors.
• Non-color-specific effects: A creature or player with protection from a color can still be affected by effects that don’t specify a color, such as life-loss or destruction.
• Game-changing effects: Protection from a color does not prevent game-changing effects like board wipes, which can still affect a creature or player with protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, protection from a color in Magic: The Gathering allows a creature or player to avoid being affected by abilities, spells, or effects from that color. This includes blocking, targeting, damaging, and enchanting. However, protection does not make a creature or player invincible, as other game mechanics and effects can still interact with it. Understanding the intricacies of protection and blocking can help you make informed decisions during gameplay and improve your overall strategy.