Greetings, Magic the Gathering enthusiasts! Today, we delve into the intriguing world of abilities that provide protection for your permanents: Shroud and Hexproof.
As avid players, it’s important to understand the differences between these two abilities to enhance our gameplay strategies and decision-making. So, let’s explore the fascinating realm of Shroud and Hexproof in the world of MTG!
Shroud, Hexproof, and Ward are unique abilities in Magic the Gathering, each with its own set of rules and strategic implications.
Shroud renders a permanent untargetable by any spells or abilities, making it a formidable shield. On the other hand, Hexproof only allows the controller of the permanent to target it, offering a more controlled form of protection.
Ward, introduced in the Strixhaven: School of Mages set, presents a lighter version of Hexproof, requiring an additional cost to be paid when the ability triggers.
During the course of Magic’s design, Shroud was eventually retired and replaced by Hexproof due to confusion and misunderstandings among players.
Hexproof proved to be a more balanced and intuitive gameplay experience, while still offering the essence of protection.
It’s worth noting that protection, another significant ability in MTG, combines Shroud with other traits, safeguarding permanents from damage, being enchanted or equipped, being blocked, and being targeted.
This broader ability adds yet another layer of strategic decision-making, especially in formats like Commander where both Shroud and Hexproof see regular play.
Key Takeaways:
- Shroud and Hexproof are abilities that provide protection for MTG permanents.
- Shroud makes a permanent untargetable by any spells or abilities.
- Hexproof only allows the controller of the permanent to target it.
- Ward, introduced in Strixhaven: School of Mages, is a lighter version of Hexproof that requires an additional cost to be paid.
- Understanding the differences between Shroud, Hexproof, and Ward enhances gameplay strategy and decision-making.
What Is Shroud?
Shroud is a static keyword ability in Magic the Gathering that prevents a permanent from being targeted by any spells or abilities, including the controller’s own. It is inherent to the permanent and does not require any triggers or costs.
Shroud caused confusion among players, as it made the permanent completely untargetable.
This confusion led to the retirement of Shroud and the introduction of Hexproof, which functions as the “fixed” version of Shroud.
Shroud was an ability that was present in early Magic the Gathering sets and was designed to provide protection to cards by making them unable to be targeted.
However, this ability caused confusion among players as it made the permanent completely untargetable, even by its controller.
This led to situations where players were unable to interact with their own permanents or strategically use spells and abilities. As a result, the ability was retired and replaced by Hexproof.
Hexproof, on the other hand, is a more balanced version of Shroud. With Hexproof, the controller of the permanent can still target it with their own spells or abilities, providing more flexibility and strategic options.
This ability has become the preferred choice in Magic’s design, offering a smoother and more intuitive gameplay experience for both casual and competitive players.
In summary, Shroud was a static ability in Magic the Gathering that made a permanent completely untargetable, leading to confusion and gameplay issues.
It was eventually retired and replaced by Hexproof, which provides similar protection but allows the controller of the permanent to still target it.
Understanding the differences between Shroud and Hexproof is essential for players to make informed decisions and strategies in the game.
What Is Hexproof?
Hexproof is another static keyword ability in Magic the Gathering that prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities controlled by opponents.
Unlike Shroud, the controller of the permanent can still target it with their own spells or abilities.
This ability provides players with a way to protect their key cards from being directly affected by their opponents’ strategies, creating a more strategic and balanced gameplay experience.
Hexproof has become a popular ability in Magic’s design due to its intuitive nature. It allows players to have control over their own permanents while still providing a level of protection against their opponents.
For example, a creature card with Hexproof cannot be directly targeted by an opponent’s removal spells or abilities.
This makes Hexproof cards like Swiftfoot Boots and Lightning Greaves valuable additions to decks, especially in formats like Commander where interaction with opponents is key.
To better understand the difference between Shroud and Hexproof, it’s important to recognize that Hexproof offers a more flexible and player-friendly approach to protection.
It allows for strategic decision-making and card synergy, while still providing a measure of security against opponents’ strategies.
Examples of Cards with Hexproof:
| Card Name | Mana Cost | Power/Toughness | Expansion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blightsteel Colossus | 12 | 11/11 | Mirrodin Besieged |
| Geist of Saint Traft | 1WU | 2/2 | Innistrad |
| Sigarda, Host of Herons | 2GGW | 5/5 | Avacyn Restored |
“Hexproof offers players the ability to protect their cards without completely eliminating the ability to interact with them. It strikes a balance between player agency and strategic gameplay.” – Mark Rosewater, Head Designer of Magic: The Gathering
Hexproof has become crucial in the design of Magic’s gameplay, allowing players to protect their permanents while still maintaining a level of interactivity.
It provides a more intuitive and balanced experience for both casual and competitive players alike.
With the introduction of Hexproof, players have gained a valuable tool in their arsenal to protect their vital cards and shape the outcome of battles in the multiverse.
What Is Ward?
Ward is an intriguing keyword ability introduced in the Strixhaven: School of Mages set. It adds a new layer of decision-making and strategy to the game of Magic the Gathering.
Similar to Hexproof, Ward prevents opponents from directly targeting a permanent. However, unlike Hexproof, it comes with an additional cost that needs to be paid before the ability resolves.
This cost can vary, ranging from a simple mana payment to more complex requirements like discarding a card or losing life.
The introduction of Ward provides players with another option for protecting their assets while also creating interesting opportunities for opponents to interact with them.
The inclusion of Ward in the game reflects Magic the Gathering’s commitment to evolving and expanding its gameplay mechanics.
It offers players more choices and challenges them to think strategically about when and how to utilize their resources.
With Ward, players must carefully consider the value of their permanents and weigh it against the cost of protecting them. This new ability can lead to exciting and dynamic gameplay, forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly.
Ward also has the potential to shake up the metagame, introducing fresh tactics and altering the balance of power.
As players experiment with cards that feature Ward, new deck archetypes can emerge, creating a more diverse and engaging environment.
The addition of Ward adds an extra element of surprise, strategy, and complexity to the ever-evolving world of Magic the Gathering.
FAQ
What is the difference between Shroud and Hexproof in Magic the Gathering?
Shroud makes a permanent unable to be targeted by any spells or abilities, including the controller’s own, while Hexproof only allows the controller of the permanent to target it with spells or abilities.
What is Shroud in Magic the Gathering?
Shroud is a static keyword ability that makes a permanent untargetable by any spells or abilities, including the controller’s own. It was eventually retired and replaced by Hexproof due to confusion among players.
What is Hexproof in Magic the Gathering?
Hexproof is a static keyword ability that prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities controlled by opponents. The controller of the permanent can still target it with their own spells or abilities.
What is Ward in Magic the Gathering?
Ward is a new keyword ability introduced in the Strixhaven: School of Mages set. It is a lighter version of Hexproof that allows opponents to target a permanent, but requires an additional cost to be paid when the Ward ability triggers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the differences between Shroud and Hexproof is essential for Magic the Gathering players. While both abilities provide protection to permanents, they function in distinct ways.
Shroud renders a permanent completely untargetable by any spells or abilities, including those controlled by its controller. This ability, however, caused confusion and was eventually retired in favor of Hexproof.
Hexproof, on the other hand, allows the controller of the permanent to target it with their own spells or abilities, while preventing opponents from targeting it.
This more balanced gameplay experience made Hexproof the preferred ability in Magic’s design.
Additionally, Strixhaven: School of Mages introduced a lighter version of Hexproof called Ward.
Opponents can target a ward permanent, but an additional cost must be paid to trigger its ability. This cost can vary, adding strategic decision-making to the gameplay.
By understanding the differences between Shroud, Hexproof, and Ward, players can make informed decisions and utilize these abilities effectively in their gameplay strategies.
