What are the Rules for Equipment in Magic The Gathering?
Introduction
Equipment is a fascinating aspect of Magic: The Gathering that allows players to attach artifacts to creatures, empowering them with unique abilities. In this article, we will delve into the fundamental rules of equipment, enabling you to better understand its mechanics and strategies.
What is Equipment?
Equipment is an artifact type that has the "Equip" keyword ability. According to the official Magic rulebook, by paying the equip cost (which can only be done at sorcery speed), it attaches to a creature you control (emphasis added).
When Can You Equip an Equipment?
You can equip an equipment at the beginning of your main phase, but only if your creature is on the battlefield. This means you cannot equip an equipment to a creature that will enter the battlefield later (e.g., due to a token effect).
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| – | Equipment can only attach to creatures you control during your main phase. |
Can You Equip Your Opponent’s Creatures?
No, according to the official Magic rules, you cannot equip an opponent’s creature. This means you have to carefully select which creature to attach your equipment to, taking into account any potential effects that might render the creature unable to attacked or defended.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| – | You cannot equip an opponent’s creature. |
What Happens When You Equip a Creature?
When you equip a creature, the equipment becomes temporarily attached to that creature and remains so until the beginning of your next main phase. If the creature equipped with the equipment leaves play, the equipment becomes unattached and is left on the battlefield as a separate object.
Can You Tap Equipped Artifacts?
Even though equipped artifacts are effectively attached to creatures, you can still choose to tap them as creatures. Tapping an equipped artifact will not cause its equipped creature to become tapped (unless it has a triggering ability).
| Example | Description |
|---|---|
| Equip a Whispersilk Cloak () to a 2/2 black Zombie.
Choose to tap the Whispersilk Cloak. |
Can You Destroy or Remove Equipment?
To destroy an equipment, simply use an effect that instructs you to destroy permanents, such as Acid-Moss or Pybarance, the Purphoroscope. Alternatively, certain abilities (like Abrupt Decay) can temporarily remove equipment from the battlefield.
Additional Tips for Equipment Management
• Take note of equipment’s attachment and detachment timing – this will help you prepare for situations where creatures disappear or new ones enter.
• Consider equipping multiple creatures to prevent an opponent from destroying key equipment with an effect, like Abrupt Decay, which would only remove attachments from one creature.
• Choose the right attachments to optimize your battlefield presence – this may lead to interesting strategies and power plays!
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered the fundamental rules of equipment in Magic The Gathering. From the costs and attachment timing to removing and destroying equipment, having a solid understanding of the rules will enable you to make more informed decisions as you build and play equipment-based decks.