Can you target Planeswalkers with burn spells?

Asked by Hanzeru 9 years ago

For example, casting Lightning Strike targetting Chandra, Pyromaster . Will it cause Chandra to lose 3 loyalty counters?

Absinthman says... Accepted answer #1

It works in a different way than you think, but you will get the desired outcome in the end. Let me explain:

You can't target Planeswalkers with Lightning Strike because it can only target players or creatures. Planewalkers are neither of these (compare it for example to Fated Conflagration which specifically allows targeting planeswalkers). However, there is a rule which allows redirecting noncombat damage from players to their planeswalkers. It works like this: 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.

So long story short: You can't target the planeswalker directly, but you can target its controller, and when the damage dealing spell or ability resolves, you can redirect the damage.

July 24, 2014 4:54 a.m.