Does tapping a planeswalker do anything?

Asked by Apoptosis 11 years ago

If I tap an opposing planeswalker with Tamiyo, the Moon Sage does that have any effect on the ability of my opponent to use it? I'm 86.8% sure that the answer is no, but I wanted to double check.

My understanding is that all non-activated abilities on a permanent continues to function unless it specifically states that it doesn't (like Howling Mine and how Winter Orb was supposed to function... but I digress. Thanks again! -Apop.

gufymike says... Accepted answer #1

The answer is no it does not affect the ability, because you don't have to tap the planeswalker to adjust their loyalty. I do it all the time, just to target something when the board state is empty (like after a board wipe of some kind).

May 14, 2013 4:47 p.m.

203995014 says... #2

Tapping a planeswalker does tap it, but it won't do a whole lot since planeswalkers don't require tapping itself to use its ability.

May 14, 2013 4:52 p.m.

Apoptosis says... #3

That's what I figured. Thanks for the fast answers.

May 14, 2013 4:56 p.m.

linkofhyrule says... #4

The only thing a planeswalker cares about being tapped or not is if it's animated to be a Creature (the Gideons, or some type-adding shenanigans), they will be unable to attack or block (they can still be an attack target)

May 14, 2013 5:07 p.m.

Apoptosis says... #5

ah... good point linkofhyrule

May 14, 2013 5:10 p.m.

linkofhyrule says... #6

I just thought of a second: Mycosynth Lattice and March of the Machines , followed by casting a planeswalker: it will be a Planeswalker Artifact Creature - <insert planeswalker type here> (with P/T equal to it's CMC), that is summoning sick. you will not be able to activate a loyalty ability until your next turn's main phase

May 14, 2013 5:23 p.m.

linkofhyrule says... #7

derp, that's summon sick, not tapped!

May 14, 2013 5:28 p.m.

Kogarashi says... #8

@linkofhyrule, you can still use a planeswalker's loyalty abilities even when they have summoning sickness due to the Mycosynth Lattice /March of the Machines combo. Their loyalty abilities do not require them to tap, and therefore are not subject to summoning sickness.

From the CR: "The term summoning sickness is an informal term which describes a creatures inability to attack or to use activated abilities that include the tap symbol when it has come under a players control since the beginning of that players most recent turn. See rule 302.6. See also Haste."

May 14, 2013 9:52 p.m.

This discussion has been closed