Does Protection Counter Trample?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, trample is a powerful ability that allows creatures to deal excess damage to the opponent’s life total. But what happens when a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection from the blocking creature’s color? Does protection counter trample, or does the trampling creature still get to deal its excess damage?
The Basics of Trample
Before we dive into the specifics of protection and trample, let’s quickly review what trample is. Trample is an ability that allows a creature to deal excess damage to the opponent’s life total. When a creature with trample deals combat damage to a player, it assigns the damage to the blocking creature first. If the blocking creature would be dealt lethal damage, the excess damage is then assigned to the opponent’s life total.
Protection and Trample
Now, let’s talk about protection. Protection is an ability that prevents a creature from being dealt damage by a specific color of magic. When a creature with protection from a color is blocked by a creature of that color, the blocking creature’s damage is prevented. But what happens when a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection from the blocking creature’s color?
The Answer
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, protection does not counter trample. When a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection from the blocking creature’s color, the trampling creature still gets to deal its excess damage to the opponent’s life total.
Example
Let’s say you have a 7/7 green creature with trample, and your opponent blocks it with a 2/2 protection from green creature. The trampling creature would assign 2 damage to the blocking creature, and then assign the remaining 5 damage to the opponent’s life total.
Why Protection Doesn’t Counter Trample
Protection only prevents damage from being dealt to the blocking creature, it doesn’t prevent the trampling creature from dealing excess damage to the opponent’s life total. The trampling creature is still able to deal its excess damage, even if the blocking creature has protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, protection does not counter trample. When a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection from the blocking creature’s color, the trampling creature still gets to deal its excess damage to the opponent’s life total. This is an important consideration for players who are building decks around trample and protection.
Common Questions
- What happens if a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with protection from the blocking creature’s color?
- The trampling creature still gets to deal its excess damage to the opponent’s life total.
- Does protection prevent a creature from being dealt damage by a specific color of magic?
- Yes, protection prevents a creature from being dealt damage by a specific color of magic.
- What is trample?
- Trample is an ability that allows a creature to deal excess damage to the opponent’s life total.
Table: Trample and Protection
| Trample | Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Blocking Creature | Deals damage to blocking creature | Prevents damage from being dealt to blocking creature |
| Excess Damage | Deals excess damage to opponent’s life total | Does not prevent excess damage from being dealt |
| Result | Trampling creature deals excess damage to opponent’s life total | Blocking creature is not dealt damage |
I hope this article has helped to clarify the relationship between trample and protection in Magic: The Gathering. Remember, protection does not counter trample, and trample is still able to deal excess damage to the opponent’s life total even if the blocking creature has protection.