What Happens When You Sacrifice an Indestructible Creature?
Indestructible creatures are often a popular choice in Magic: The Gathering due to their ability to withstand various forms of destruction. However, indestructible doesn’t necessarily mean invulnerable. When an indestructible creature is sacrificed, it can still be removed from the game in various ways. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you sacrifice an indestructible creature and what effects can still impact these powerful cards.
What Does Indestructible Mean?
Before we dive into the specifics of sacrificing indestructible creatures, let’s define what it means to be indestructible. Indestructible is a keyword ability that prevents a permanent from being destroyed. This means that effects that say "destroy" will not destroy an indestructible creature, and it will not die due to lethal damage or state-based actions. Indestructible creatures can still be removed from the game through other means, such as sacrifice, exile, or bouncing.
What Happens When You Sacrifice an Indestructible Creature?
When an indestructible creature is sacrificed, it is still removed from the game and sent to the graveyard. This means that any abilities or effects that trigger upon a creature being sacrificed will still resolve, even if the creature is indestructible. Additionally, sacrificing an indestructible creature will not trigger any other effects that trigger upon destruction, such as a life loss or a damage source being destroyed.
Indestructible and Sacrifice
Sacrificing an indestructible creature is not necessarily the same as destroying one. When a creature is sacrificed, it is being offered up to the card’s effects, whereas destroying a creature would be annihilating it. Indestructible creatures can still be sacrificed, and this sacrifice can still have consequences for the game.
When is a Creature Not Destroyed?
There are several instances where a creature is not destroyed, including:
- Indestructible: As mentioned earlier, indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed.
- Ley Ruin Dragon: This creature’s ability allows it to escape destruction if it would be destroyed.
- Mythic Eternal: This enchantment allows creatures to become indestructible and remain on the battlefield.
- Jester’s Mask: This enchantment causes creatures to be exiled instead of destroyed.
What Happens to Creatures with 0 or Less Toughness?
While indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed, they can still be put into the graveyard if their toughness is 0 or less. This means that an indestructible creature that takes damage can still die if its toughness falls below 0.
Removing Indestructible Creatures
While indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed, they can still be removed from the game through various means. Some ways to remove indestructible creatures include:
- Bouncing: Cards like Fact or Fiction or Into the Roar can bounce an indestructible creature back to its owner’s hand.
- Exiling: Cards like Thought Scour or Sylvan Library can exile an indestructible creature from the game.
- Sacrificing: Sacrificing an indestructible creature is still a valid way to remove it from the game.
- Returning: Cards like Relentless Assault or Kiora’s Follower can return an indestructible creature to its owner’s hand.
Indestructible and Infect
Infect is a mechanism that causes creatures to take damage from the opponent, and indestructible creatures are not immune to infect. This means that indestructible creatures can still take damage from infect, which can eventually put them into the graveyard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sacrificing an indestructible creature does not mean that it will remain on the battlefield indefinitely. While indestructible creatures are more difficult to destroy, they can still be removed from the game through various means. It’s essential to understand the different ways a creature can be removed, including sacrificing, exiling, and bouncing. This knowledge will help you better navigate the complexities of Magic: The Gathering and make informed decisions during gameplay.