Does Shroud Protect Against Deathtouch?
Shroud is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities. Deathtouch, on the other hand, is a static ability that causes 1 point of damage to kill any creature it deals damage to (unless that creature is indestructible). So, the question arises: Does shroud protect against deathtouch?
Direct Answer
Yes, shroud does protect against deathtouch. According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, a creature with shroud cannot be the target of any spell or ability, including deathtouch. This means that if a creature with shroud is dealt damage by a creature with deathtouch, the shrouded creature will not die.
Why Shroud Protects Against Deathtouch
Shroud is a protection ability that prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities. Deathtouch is a static ability that deals damage to kill any creature it deals damage to. Since shroud prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities, it also prevents deathtouch from dealing damage to the shrouded creature.
Comparison with Other Abilities
- Indestructible: Indestructible is a different ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed. While shroud prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities, indestructible prevents a permanent from being destroyed. Deathtouch can still deal damage to an indestructible creature, but the creature will not die.
- Protection: Protection is an ability that prevents a creature from being dealt damage. Deathtouch deals damage to kill any creature it deals damage to, so protection does not protect against deathtouch.
Table: Comparison of Shroud, Indestructible, and Protection
| Ability | Prevents | Dealt Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Shroud | Being the target of spells or abilities | No |
| Indestructible | Being destroyed | Yes |
| Protection | Being dealt damage | No |
Conclusion
In conclusion, shroud does protect against deathtouch. Shroud is a protection ability that prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities, including deathtouch. While indestructible prevents a permanent from being destroyed, protection prevents a creature from being dealt damage. Deathtouch is a unique ability that deals damage to kill any creature it deals damage to, and shroud is the only ability that can protect against it.