What Happens if You Flicker a Planeswalker?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, planeswalkers are a unique and powerful card type. They have their own set of rules and abilities that can greatly impact the game. One question that many players have is what happens if you flicker a planeswalker? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide some key takeaways.
Direct Answer
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, when you flicker a planeswalker, it’s considered a new "casting" of the card. This means that any abilities that are triggered by the planeswalker being played, such as loyalty abilities, are triggered again. Additionally, any effects that care about the planeswalker being on the battlefield will still apply.
Consequences of Flickering a Planeswalker
Flickering a planeswalker can have several consequences, including:
- Resetting Loyalty Counters: When you flicker a planeswalker, all loyalty counters are removed. This means that any loyalty abilities that require a specific number of loyalty counters to be triggered will need to be re-triggered.
- Reactivating Abilities: As mentioned earlier, any abilities that are triggered by the planeswalker being played will be triggered again. This includes loyalty abilities, triggered abilities, and other effects that care about the planeswalker.
- Keeping Its Position on the Battlefield: Flickering a planeswalker does not move it from the battlefield. It remains in the same location it was in before it was flickered.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind when flickering a planeswalker:
- Flickering a planeswalker is a new "casting": Any abilities that are triggered by the planeswalker being played will be triggered again.
- Resetting loyalty counters: When you flicker a planeswalker, all loyalty counters are removed.
- Reactivating abilities: Any abilities that are triggered by the planeswalker being played will be triggered again.
- Keeping its position on the battlefield: Flickering a planeswalker does not move it from the battlefield.
When to Flicker a Planeswalker
There are several scenarios where flickering a planeswalker can be beneficial:
- To trigger loyalty abilities: Flickering a planeswalker can help you trigger loyalty abilities that require a specific number of loyalty counters to be triggered.
- To reactivate abilities: Flickering a planeswalker can help you reactivate abilities that were previously triggered.
- To keep it from being destroyed: Flickering a planeswalker can help you keep it from being destroyed by an opponent.
Example Scenarios
Here are some example scenarios where flickering a planeswalker can be beneficial:
- Scenario 1: You have a planeswalker on the battlefield with 3 loyalty counters. Your opponent attacks you with a creature that would destroy the planeswalker. You can flicker the planeswalker, removing it from the battlefield and preventing it from being destroyed.
- Scenario 2: You have a planeswalker on the battlefield with 5 loyalty counters. You want to trigger its loyalty ability, but you don’t have enough loyalty counters to do so. You can flicker the planeswalker, resetting the loyalty counters and allowing you to trigger the ability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, flickering a planeswalker can have significant consequences, including resetting loyalty counters, reactivating abilities, and keeping its position on the battlefield. By understanding the rules surrounding flickering planeswalkers, you can make informed decisions about when to use this ability and how to incorporate it into your game strategy.