"Protection from" rulings

Asked by DeRotto17 5 years ago

Hi all -

Question: Lets say I have a G/W creature on the battlefield and I equip it with Sword of Body and Mind. Am I then later that turn or in the game, able to slap a Rancor on that same creature? Or am I not able to now because it has protection from green? Also, if I have a Wilt-Leaf Liege on the battlefield, does the creature not get the full bonus or does it still get it?

I am just not sure if "protection from" only applies to my opponent(s) or if it would apply to me as well.

Caerwyn says... Accepted answer #1

Protection is a neutral ability--it applies just as much to yourself as your opponents.

To remember how protection works, remember this acronym: DEBT.

  • Damage - A creature with protection cannot be damaged by sources it has protection from.

  • Equipped / Enchanted (also Fortified) - This applies even to auras attached before your creature gets protection. For example, if you had a creature with Rancor, and then gave it Sword of Body and Mind, Rancor would fall off the creature and go to the graveyard.

  • Blocked - a creature with protection cannot be blocked by an object that it has protection from.

  • Targeted - A protected item cannot be targeted by sources from which it has protection. All aura spells are targeted enchantments--as such, your protected creature cannot be targeted by Rancor.

(Source: Rule 702.16)

Wilt-Leaf Liege does not do any of the above--as such, your creature will receive bonuses if applicable.

As an aside, I've noticed Wraths gives people some issues when it comes to protection, so wanted to address those as well. First, let's look at Wrath of God. Wrath of God does not target and does not deal damage--as such, it can destroy creatures with protection from white. Blasphemous Act, on the other hand, deals damage, so would be unable to kill a creature with protection from Red, even though it does not target.

(Also, I suggest posting questions like this in the Rules Q&A Forum).

April 3, 2018 1:01 p.m.

Questions like this belong in the Rules Q&A, just FYI.

Otherwise cdkime's answer is accurate.

April 3, 2018 3:53 p.m.

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