Does Sacrifice Work Against Hexproof?
In Magic: The Gathering, sacrifice effects are a common way to remove permanents from the game. But do they work against creatures with Hexproof? This article will explore the nuances of sacrifice effects and Hexproof, and answer this question in detail.
What is Hexproof?
Hexproof is an ability that prevents creatures with it from being targeted by spells or abilities controlled by opponents. This means that creatures with Hexproof can’t be attacked directly, and can only be destroyed through other means such as combat damage, destruction spells, or sacrifice effects that don’t target.
Do Sacrifice Effects Target?
Sacrifice effects, on the surface, seem to target creatures. They say things like "Sacrifice X", or "You sacrifice Y". But the important thing to note is that sacrifice effects don’t necessarily target the creature. They target the player controlling the creature, and force that player to sacrifice it. This is a subtle distinction, but it has a huge impact on how sacrifice effects interact with Hexproof creatures.
Do Sacrifice Effects Work Against Hexproof?
The short answer is: Yes, sacrifice effects can work against Hexproof creatures. But only if they don’t target the creature specifically. If a sacrifice effect says "You sacrifice a creature", it’s unlikely to work against a creature with Hexproof, since it’s not targeting that specific creature. On the other hand, if a sacrifice effect says "Destroy all creatures", or "Sacrifice X permanent", it will likely destroy or sacrifice Hexproof creatures, since it’s not targeting them specifically.
Examples of Sacrifice Effects That Work Against Hexproof
- Wrath of God: "Destroy all creatures". This is a classic example of a sacrifice effect that won’t care about Hexproof. It will destroy all creatures on the battlefield, Hexproof or not.
- Doomblade: "Sacrifice two creatures". This card explicitly says "sacrifice", and doesn’t target a specific creature. This means it will likely destroy Hexproof creatures if the player controlling them chooses to sacrifice them.
- Sedge Scorpion: "When Sedge Scorpion dies, create a 2/2 blue Drake creature token with flying". This card creates a token when it dies, which means it can sacrifice itself to create a token. This is a type of sacrifice effect that works against Hexproof.
Examples of Sacrifice Effects That Don’t Work Against Hexproof
- Vines of Vastwood: "Exile target creature". This card targets a specific creature, which means it won’t work against a Hexproof creature. To remove a Hexproof creature, you’ll need to use an effect that doesn’t target.
- Runebolt: "Sacrifice a creature". This card explicitly targets a creature, which means it won’t work against a Hexproof creature. To remove a Hexproof creature, you’ll need to use an effect that doesn’t target.
Conclusion
Sacrifice effects can be a powerful way to remove permanents from the game, but they must be used carefully when interacting with Hexproof creatures. Sacrifice effects that target a specific creature won’t work against Hexproof creatures, but those that don’t target can still remove them. Understanding the difference between targeted and untargeted sacrifice effects is key to navigating these complex interactions.
Takeaways
- Hexproof creatures can be sacrificed by untargeted sacrifice effects.
- Untargeted sacrifice effects don’t care about Hexproof.
- Targeted sacrifice effects will never work against Hexproof creatures.
- When using sacrifice effects against Hexproof creatures, use effects that don’t target the creature.
Summary Table
Effect Type | Targets Hexproof Creatures? |
---|---|
Untargeted | Yes |
Targeted | No |
By understanding how sacrifice effects interact with Hexproof creatures, you’ll be better equipped to use these effects to your advantage in your Magic games.