Hexproof is an evergreen keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that provides powerful protection by preventing a permanent or player from being the target of spells or abilities played by opponents. This means any spell or ability controlled by an opponent that says "target creature," "target player," or similar, cannot be cast on or affect a permanent or player with hexproof.
How Hexproof Works
Hexproof is a fundamental ability within the game, meaning it can appear in any set. Its primary function is to safeguard game pieces from direct interaction from opposing forces.
- Targeting Prevention: The core of hexproof is its ability to stop targeting. If an opponent casts a spell like "Lightning Bolt" (which says "Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage to any target"), they cannot choose a creature with hexproof as their target. The spell simply fizzles if they have no other valid target, or they must choose another.
- Opponent's Spells and Abilities: The protection specifically applies to spells and abilities controlled by opponents. This is a crucial distinction, as it means you, the controller of a hexproof permanent, can target your own permanent with your spells and abilities. For example, you can enchant your own hexproof creature with an Aura, or return it to your hand with a targeted bounce spell.
- Protection for Permanents and Players: While most commonly seen on creatures, hexproof can also be found on other permanent types like artifacts, enchantments, and lands. Some cards even grant players hexproof, protecting them from targeted damage, mill, or discard effects from opponents.
What Hexproof DOESN'T Protect Against
It's important to understand the limits of hexproof:
- Non-Targeted Effects: Hexproof does not protect against spells or abilities that do not target. For example:
- Board Wipes: Spells like [[Wrath of God]] that say "Destroy all creatures" will still destroy creatures with hexproof because they do not target any specific creature.
- Global Effects: Abilities that affect "all creatures" or "each opponent" without specifying a target will still apply.
- Sacrifice Effects: Spells like [[Liliana of the Veil]]'s +1 ability ("Each player sacrifices a creature") will force you to sacrifice your hexproof creature, as it doesn't target.
- Combat Damage: Creatures with hexproof can still be blocked and dealt combat damage.
- Your Own Spells/Abilities: As mentioned, you can target your own hexproof permanents.
Strategic Implications and Examples
Hexproof is a highly valued ability in Magic: The Gathering because it makes a permanent incredibly resilient to an opponent's interactive spells.
- Resilient Threats: Creatures with hexproof, especially those with high power or other beneficial abilities, can be difficult for opponents to remove from the battlefield. Examples include [[Invisible Stalker]], a difficult-to-block creature with hexproof, and [[Slippery Bogle]], a low-cost creature often used in "Bogles" decks where it's enchanted with powerful Auras.
- Protecting Key Pieces: Hexproof can also appear on enchantments or artifacts that are central to a strategy, making them hard to disrupt.
- Aura-Based Strategies: Hexproof creatures are often central to strategies that involve enchanting creatures with powerful Auras, as the creature becomes a safe haven for these enhancements.
- Player Protection: Hexproof on a player (e.g., from [[Leyline of Sanctity]]) can shut down strategies that rely on directly targeting players, such as burn spells, hand disruption (like [[Thoughtseize]]), or direct damage from planeswalkers.
Hexproof vs. Shroud
A common point of confusion for new players is the difference between hexproof and an older, similar ability called shroud.
| Feature | Hexproof | Shroud |
|---|---|---|
| Can you target it? | No, if an opponent's spell/ability. | No, by any spell or ability. |
| Who can target it? | Only its controller can target it. | No one (not even its controller) can target it. |
| Strategic Use | Allows for Auras/equipment from controller. | Makes Auras/equipment impossible for anyone. |
| Prevalence | Evergreen ability, commonly printed. | Largely replaced by hexproof, rarely printed. |
Hexproof was introduced specifically to address the issue with shroud where players couldn't even interact positively with their own permanents. This change made hexproof a much more flexible and player-friendly ability.
