can multi-colored creatures be killed by spells that target one color

General forum

Posted on Jan. 20, 2014, 7:22 p.m. by thisKid619

So i play magic at school as well as at my local shop and they is this kid who always challenges me on rulings. Today he tried to use Deathmark to kill my High Priest of Penance . Would my card have died or would his spell have fizzled?

cr14mson says... #2

dead priest

January 20, 2014 7:23 p.m.

Du_Co says... #3

Yes, since the priest meets the criteria as a white creature, It can be targeted by it. The priest has both the Black and white identity. A Doom Blade on the other hand would not work because it is still has the black identity.

January 20, 2014 7:29 p.m.

wnorris17 says... #4

Your priest would die. The spell only needs to include one color in the creature.

Rules questions like this should be asked in the Q/A

January 20, 2014 7:30 p.m.

JWiley129 says... #5

This should be in the MTG Q&A which is for rules questions like this. And yes. High Priest of Penance is both White and Black so Deathmark will kill it.

January 20, 2014 7:30 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... #6

Rules questions should be asked in the Q&A.

First, Deathmark doesn't target a color. Nothing targets a color. Deathmark targets a creature, and that creature has to meet certain criteria. Namely, the creature has to be green or white.

Therefore, Deathmark checks the intended target and asks "Is this creature green or white?" If the answer is yes, then that creature is a legal target. Deathmark only makes a positive check. That is, it only cares about whether the target has the specified properties. It doesn't care about other properties, such as multicolor, other permanent types, etc.

Also, a spell or ability can only be cast or activated if you name enough legal targets for it. You can't cast Deathmark with an illegal target. A spell or ability only fizzles if, upon resolution, it has no remaining legal targets.

January 20, 2014 7:33 p.m.

InnerFlame says... #7

Would High Priest of Penance be able to destroy another target then since it is being destroyed, not exiled?

I also have him in one of my decks.

January 21, 2014 9:34 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... #8

@bbritt33: No. High Priest of Penance doesn't care about destroy or exile effects. Its ability only triggers if High Priest of Penance is dealt damage.

January 21, 2014 9:36 p.m.

InnerFlame says... #9

Okay, thanks! I wasn't sure if destroying meant doing damage.

January 21, 2014 9:39 p.m.

Epochalyptik says... #10

A spell or ability only deals damage if it uses the word damage.

January 21, 2014 9:40 p.m.