What does shroud block?

What Does Shroud Block?

Shroud is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities. In simpler terms, shroud makes an object or player "untouchable" by spells and abilities. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of shroud and what it blocks.

What Does Shroud Not Block?

Before we dive into what shroud blocks, it’s essential to understand what it does not block. Shroud does not block:

• Combat Damage: Shroud does not prevent combat damage from being dealt to a creature with shroud. Combat damage is dealt directly to the creature’s toughness, regardless of whether it has shroud.
• Lifelink: Lifelink is a keyword ability that gains life when a creature with lifelink deals combat damage to a player. Shroud does not prevent lifelink from working.
• Deathtouch: Deathtouch is a keyword ability that makes a creature’s combat damage lethal to any creature it deals damage to. Shroud does not prevent deathtouch from working.

What Does Shroud Block?

Shroud blocks:

• Spells and Abilities: Shroud prevents spells and abilities from targeting a permanent or player with shroud. This means that if a spell or ability tries to target an object or player with shroud, it will not be able to resolve.
• Targeting: Shroud prevents an object or player with shroud from being targeted by spells and abilities. This includes targeted abilities, such as those that say "target creature" or "target player."

Examples of Shroud Blocking

Here are some examples to illustrate how shroud blocks:

• Example 1: A player has a creature with shroud on the battlefield. An opponent tries to cast a spell that targets the creature. The spell will not be able to resolve because the creature has shroud.
• Example 2: A player has a planeswalker with shroud on the battlefield. An opponent tries to cast a spell that targets the planeswalker. The spell will not be able to resolve because the planeswalker has shroud.

Consequences of Shroud

Shroud has several consequences:

• Prevents Targeting: Shroud prevents an object or player from being targeted by spells and abilities.
• Prevents Resolution: Shroud prevents spells and abilities that target an object or player with shroud from resolving.
• Does Not Prevent Combat Damage: Shroud does not prevent combat damage from being dealt to a creature with shroud.

Comparison to Hexproof

Hexproof is a similar keyword ability that prevents an object or player from being targeted by spells and abilities. However, there are key differences:

• Hexproof does not prevent targeting: Hexproof prevents an object or player from being targeted by spells and abilities, but it does not prevent the object or player from being targeted by other means, such as combat.
• Shroud prevents targeting and combat: Shroud prevents an object or player from being targeted by spells and abilities, and also prevents combat damage from being dealt to the object or player.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shroud is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities. Shroud blocks spells and abilities, prevents targeting, and prevents resolution. Shroud does not block combat damage, lifelink, or deathtouch. Understanding shroud is essential for players to make informed decisions in Magic: The Gathering.

Table: Shroud vs. Hexproof

Note: denotes that the ability prevents the corresponding action.