Can burn spells and abilities target planeswalkers?

Asked by 06saxplayer 11 years ago

I am wondering if burn spells and abilities that say target creature or player like lightning bolt are able to target planeswalkers or does the spell need to specifically say planeswalker. Thanks.

Slycne says... Accepted answer #1

Yes, you target the player and you're allowed to redirect the damage to the planeswalker.

306.7. If noncombat damage would be dealt to a player by a source controlled by an opponent, that opponent may have that source deal that damage to a planeswalker the first player controls instead. This is a redirection effect (see rule 614.9) and is subject to the normal rules for ordering replacement effects (see rule 616). The opponent chooses whether to redirect the damage as the redirection effect is applied.

February 28, 2014 12:32 a.m.

Epochalyptik says... #2

Technically, Slycne, the answer should be no. You don't ever target the planeswalker unless the spell says "target planeswalker." You can redirect the damage, but at no point during the resolution or redirection processes do you target the planeswalker.

February 28, 2014 12:41 a.m.

mikeyj says... #3

If thats the case, Epoch, than does that mean that Planeswalkers don't ever get protection from spells that target players? I can't think of any off hand, but say a card with the text "target permanent has protection from the color of your choice" is cast on a planeswalker, and you name red. If a Lightning Bolt is cast at the player, redirect to Planeswalker, then the planeswalker will still take the damage?

February 28, 2014 2:26 a.m.

Dasistgutja says... #4

I'm pretty sure, mikeyj, that in that case the planeswalker would not receive any damage, as protection prevents damage from a colour as well as targeting, blocking etc.

February 28, 2014 5:50 a.m.

mikeyj says... #5

Whoops, I was thinking hexproof, not protection

February 28, 2014 9:38 a.m.

Slycne says... #6

mikeyj A card like Witchbane Orb will protect your planeswalkers from a spell like Lightning Bolt since they need to target you to redirect it. A Fated Conflagration could still hit one though as it can directly target the planeswalker.

February 28, 2014 10:28 a.m.