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'''Indestructible''' is a quality that some [[permanent]]s have. Indestructible permanents can't be destroyed by rules or effects. It is often mistaken for a [[keyword]]; however, like "unblockable", it is a word with a specific meaning in the English language, or rather it is a combination of the normal English meanings of the prefix 'in-' and suffix '-able' with the [[Magic: The Gathering|Magic]]-specific meaning of 'destroy'. Indestructibe permanents can still be put into their owner's [[graveyard]] by other means, such as by the [["Legend rule"|"legend rule"]], by being sacrificed, or in the case of creatures having zero toughness.
{{Infobox keyword
| icon = mtga_indestructible.png
| icon2 = Duels Indestructible.png
| type = Static
| first_mech = Alpha
| first = Darksteel
| last = Evergreen
| reminder = Damage and effects that say "destroy" don’t destroy this.
| storm = 1
| storm_ref=<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/storm-scale-mirrodin-and-scars-mirrodin-blocks-2018-06-11|Storm Scale: Mirrodin and Scars of Mirrodin Blocks|[[Mark Rosewater]]|2018-06-11}}</ref>
| stats = {{stats|W=65|G=32|B=20|R=8|U=5|GW=7|WB=7|RW=8|BG=4|BR=4|WU=2|RG=2|UB=1|UR=1|GU=2|M=4|C=3|A=30|L=5}}
}}
'''Indestructible''' is an [[evergreen]] [[keyword ability]]. Indestructible permanents can't be [[destroy]]ed by rules or effects.  


The first card that conferred indestructibility was <c>Consecrated Ground</c> in [[Limited Edition Alpha (set)|Limited Edition Alpha]] followed by <c>Guardian Beast</c> in [[Arabian Nights (set)|Arabian Nights]], but no other cards followed (and no formal rules existed) until [[Darksteel (set)|Darksteel]].
==Description==
Indestructible permanents can still be put into their owner's [[graveyard]] by other means, such as by the "[[legend rule]]", by being [[sacrifice]]d or (in the case of creatures) having zero or less [[toughness]]. They can also be removed from the battlefield by being [[bounce]]d or [[exile]]d for example.


{{Rules|text = '''From the [[Comprehensive Rules]]'''
===History===
Indestructible
The first card that conferred indestructibility was <c>Consecrate Land</c> in ''[[Alpha]]'', followed by <c>Guardian Beast</c> in ''[[Arabian Nights]]'', but no other cards followed (and no formal rules existed) until ''[[Darksteel]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/enter…-matrix-2004-01-05|Enter… The Matrix|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 05, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/darksteel-returns-2010-12-13|The Darksteel Returns|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/alone-darksteel-2010-12-17|Alone in the Darksteel|[[Tom LaPille]]|December 17, 2010}}</ref> The word was originally used as a normal English descriptor rather than as a keyword. In this way, it was just an attribute that some [[permanent]]s had.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/developing-indestructibility-2004-01-09|Developing Indestructibility|[[Randy Buehler]]|January 09, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|templating-indestructibility-2004-03-02|Templating indestructibility|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 02, 2004}}</ref> Enough players confused it with a keyword that [[R&D]] eventually decided to just make it one in ''[[Magic 2014]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/magic-2014-core-set-rules-preview-2013-05-23|''Magic 2014'' Core Set Rules Preview|Matt Tabak|May 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/evergreen-eggs-ham-2015-06-08|Evergreen Eggs & Ham|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 8, 2015}}</ref>


If a permanent is indestructible, rules and effects can't destroy it. Such permanents are not destroyed by lethal damage, and they ignore the lethal-damage state-based effect (see rule 420.5c). Rules or effects may cause an indestructible permanent to be [[sacrifice|sacrificed]], put into a graveyard, or removed from the game.
Starting with ''[[Kaladesh]]'', [[regeneration]] was retired. Instead, the phrase “gain indestructible until end of turn” came into being for new, but similar cards.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/150514667838/may-i-ask-you-on-rush-of-vitality-is|title=May I ask you on... Rush of Vitality?|September 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|beyond-basics/indestructible-inspiration-2017-09-21|Indestructible Inspiration|[[Gavin Verhey]]|September 21, 2017}}</ref>
|}}


{{rule-stub}}[[Category:Magic rules]]
Indestructible is [[primary]] in [[white]], secondary in black and green, and tertiary in blue and red.<ref name="Color Pie 2017">{{DailyRef|making-magic/mechanical-color-pie-2017-2017-06-05|Mechanical Color Pie 2017|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 5, 2017}}</ref> White, and to a lesser extent green, tend to have creatures that naturally have indestructible. Black and green, as the replacement for regeneration, often have activated abilities that grant indestructible until end of turn. White will at times use temporary indestructibility where it used to use [[protection]].<ref name="Color Pie 2017"/>
 
''[[Ikoria Commander]]'' introduced [[indestructible counter]]s.
===Removing indestructible===
Removing indestructible is a newer, rarely-seen ability, primarily given to red, as its damage-based removal translates poorly to exile effects. Using temporary indestructible as an analogue to regeneration, it acts as the successor to anti-regeneration text of the past.
 
==Rules==
{{CR+G}}
 
==Rulings==
*Damage accumulates on indestructible creatures, and that damage is removed during the cleanup step.
*Lethal damage is defined as an amount of damage greater than or equal to a creature's toughness. Even though an indestructible creature isn't destroyed by lethal damage, that definition is still used for things like assigning [[trample]] damage.
*If a creature with lethal damage on it stops being indestructible, it's destroyed the next time state-based actions are checked.
*Being indestructible stops only effects that would destroy the permanent, including destruction due to lethal damage and destruction that doesn't allow [[regeneration]]. An indestructible permanent can be exiled, returned to a player's hand, put into a graveyard for having 0 or less toughness (via anything that gives -X/-X for example), or sacrificed.
*You can use a [[regeneration]] effect on an indestructible permanent, but since that permanent can't be destroyed, the effect does not apply, unless it loses indestructibility before the end of the end step, then it would regenerate.
*[[Planeswalker]]s with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed from them as they are dealt damage. If a planeswalker with indestructible has no loyalty counters, it will still be put into its owner's graveyard, as the rule that does this doesn't destroy the planeswalker.
 
''Magic 2014'' updates:
*In most cases, indestructible becoming a keyword doesn't represent a functional change. There are two exceptions:
*Previously, if a permanent was made indestructible by a resolving spell or ability (such as <c>Withstand Death</c>), and then that permanent lost its abilities, it would still be indestructible. This was because indestructible wasn't an ability; it was just something true about the permanent. Now, the permanent will gain the ability indestructible, and it will lose this ability along with its other abilities.
*Previously, if a group of permanents were made indestructible by a resolving spell or ability (such as creatures you control being affected by <c>Rootborn Defenses</c>), permanents that joined that group or entered the battlefield after that spell or ability resolved would also be indestructible. This was because the effect making the permanents indestructible wasn't changing any of those permanents’ characteristics. Now, a permanent that enters the battlefield or comes under your control after the spell or ability resolves won't have indestructible, as it wasn't under your control at the appropriate time to gain it.
 
==Examples==
{{examples|<c>Darksteel Ingot</c> {{3}}<br>Artifact<br>Indestructible ''(Effects that say "destroy" don’t destroy this artifact.)''<br>{{T}}: Add one mana of any color.}}
 
==Spells that grant Indestructible==
===Instant===
*<c>Orcish Medicine</c> {{1}}{{B}}
*<c>Withstand Death</c> {{G}}
 
 
===Enchantment===
*<c>Indestructibility</c> {{3}}{{W}}
*<c>Tale of Tinúviel</c> {{3}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Terra Eternal</c> {{2}}{{W}}
 
===Creature===
*<c>Aegis Angel</c> {{4}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Avacyn, Angel of Hope</c> {{5}}{{W}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Archangel Avacyn</c> {{3}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Darksteel Splicer</c> {{6}}{{W}}{{W}} ([[Golem]]s)
*<c>Dauntless Escort</c> {{1}}{{G}}{{W}}
*<c>Deathless Angel</c> {{4}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa</c> {{3}} {{W}}
*<c>Slobad, Goblin Tinkerer</c> {{1}}{{R}}
*<c>Spearbreaker Behemoth</c> {{5}}{{G}}{{G}}
 
===Artifact===
*<c>Bladed Battle-Fan</c> {{1}}{{B}}
*<c>Darksteel Forge</c> {{9}}
*<c>Darksteel Garrison</c> {{2}}
*<c>Darksteel Plate</c> {{3}}
*<c>Eldrazi Monument</c> {{5}}
*<c>Mithril Coat</c> {{3}}
*<c>Shield of Kaldra</c> {{4}}
*<c>That Which Was Taken</c> {{5}}
 
===Planeswalker===
*<c>Elspeth, Knight-Errant</c> {{2}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Vivien Reid</c> {{3}}{{G}}{{G}}
 
==Spells that grant Indestructible and more==
===Instant===
*<c>Heroic Intervention</c> {{1}}{{G}}
*<c>Break of Day</c> {{1}}{{W}}
*<c>Mortal's Resolve</c> {{1}}{{G}}
*<c>Lorehold Command</c> {{3}}{{R}}{{W}}
*<c>Offer Immortality</c> {{1}}{{B}}
*<c>Tamiyo's Safekeeping</c> {{G}}
 
===Enchantment===
*<c>Shield of the Oversoul</c> {{2}}{{G/W}}
*<c>Darksteel Mutation</c> {{1}}{{W}}<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/darksteel-mutation-2013-10-18|Darksteel Mutation|[[Trick Jarrett]]|October 18, 2013}}</ref>
 
===Creature===
*<c>Adanto Vanguard</c> {{1}}{{W}}
*<c>Guardian Beast</c> {{3}}{{B}}
*<c>Falkenrath Aristocrat</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{R}}
*<c>Knight Exemplar</c> {{1}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Thornling</c> {{3}}{{G}}{{G}}
*<c>Timber Protector</c> {{4}}{{G}}
 
===Land===
*<c>Consecrate Land</c> {{W}}
 
==Cards that have Indestructible==
===Creature===
*<c>Angelic Overseer</c> {{3}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Athreos, God of Passage</c> {{1}}{{W}}{{B}}
*<c>Avacyn, Angel of Hope</c> {{5}}{{W}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Blightsteel Colossus</c> {{12}}
*<c>Bontu the Glorified</c> {{2}}{{B}}
*<c>Brash Taunter</c> {{4}}{{R}}
*<c>Colossus of Akros</c> {{10}}
*<c>Creepy Doll</c> {{5}}
*<c>Darksteel Colossus</c> {{11}}
*<c>Darksteel Gargoyle</c> {{7}}
*<c>Darksteel Hydra</c> {{X}}{{W}}{{B}}{{G}}
*<c>Darksteel Juggernaut</c> {{5}}
*<c>Darksteel Myr</c> {{3}}
*<c>Darksteel Sentinel</c> {{6}}
*<c>Ephara, God of the Polis</c> {{2}}{{W}}{{U}}
*<c>Erebos, God of the Dead</c> {{3}}{{B}}
*<c>Hazoret the Fervent</c> {{3}}{{R}}
*<c>Heliod, God of the Sun</c> {{3}}{{W}}
*<c>Iroas, God of Victory</c> {{2}}{{R}}{{W}}
*<c>Karametra, God of Harvests</c> {{3}}{{G}}{{W}}
*<c>Kefnet the mindful</c> {{2}}{{U}}
*<c>Keranos, God of Storms</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{R}}
*<c>Kruphix, God of Horizons</c> {{3}}{{G}}{{U}}
*<c>Konda, Lord of Eiganjo</c> {{5}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Manor Gargoyle</c> {{5}}
*<c>Mogis, God of Slaughter</c> {{2}}{{B}}{{R}}
*<c>Myojin of Cleansing Fire</c> {{5}}{{W}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Myojin of Infinite Rage</c> {{7}}{{R}}{{R}}{{R}}
*<c>Myojin of Life's Web</c> {{6}}{{G}}{{G}}{{G}}
*<c>Myojin of Night's Reach</c> {{5}}{{B}}{{B}}{{B}}
*<c>Myojin of Seeing Winds</c> {{7}}{{U}}{{U}}{{U}}
*<c>Myojin of Towering Might</c> {{5}}{{G}}{{G}}{{G}}
*<c>Nylea, God of the Hunt</c> {{3}}{{G}}
*<c>Oketra the true</c> {{3}}{{W}}
*<c>Ormendahl, Profane Prince</c>
*<c>Pharika, God of Affliction</c> {{1}}{{B}}{{G}}
*<c>Phenax, God of Deception</c> {{3}}{{U}}{{B}}
*<c>Phylactery Lich</c> {{B}}{{B}}{{B}}
*<c>Predator Ooze</c> {{G}}{{G}}{{G}}
*<c>Purphoros, God of the Forge</c> {{3}}{{R}}
*<c>Rhonas the Indomitable</c> {{2}}{{G}}
*<c>Sapling of Colfenor</c> {{3}}{{B/G}}{{B/G}}
*<c>Sliver Hivelord</c> {{mana|WUBRG}}
*<c>Spearbreaker Behemoth</c> {{5}}{{G}}{{G}}
*<c>Stuffy Doll</c> {{5}}
*<c>Tajic, Blade of the Legion</c> {{2}}{{R}}{{W}}
*<c>Toski, Bearer of Secrets</c> {{3}}{{G}}
*<c>Thassa, God of the Sea</c> {{2}}{{U}}
*<c>Transcendent Master</c> {{1}}{{W}}{{W}}
*<c>Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre</c> {{11}}
*<c>Xenagos, God of Revels</c> {{3}}{{R}}{{G}}
*<c>Zetalpa, Primal Dawn</c> {{6}}{{W}}{{W}}
 
===Artifact===
*<c>Darksteel Axe</c> {{1}}
*<c>Darksteel Brute</c> {{2}}
*<c>Darksteel Forge</c> {{9}}
*<c>Darksteel Ingot</c> {{3}}
*<c>Darksteel Pendant</c> {{2}}
*<c>Darksteel Plate</c> {{3}}
*<c>Darksteel Reactor</c> {{4}}
*<c>Darksteel Relic</c> {{0}}
*<c>Myr Matrix</c> {{5}}
*<c>Shield of Kaldra</c> {{4}}
 
===Land===
*<c>Darksteel Citadel</c>
 
==Spells that remove Indestructible==
*<c>Bonds of Mortality</c>
*<c>Burn from Within</c>
*<c>Exterminatus</c>
*<c>Hour of Devastation</c>
*<c>Rebel Salvo</c>
*<c>Shadowspear</c>
*<c>Smite the Deathless</c>
*<c>Soul Sear</c>
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Mechanics|keyword}}

Latest revision as of 07:12, 18 January 2024

Indestructible
[[File:{{#setmainimage:mtga_indestructible.png}}|70x70px]]
Keyword Ability
Type Static
Introduced Alpha (mechanic)
Darksteel (keyword)
Last used Evergreen
Reminder Text Indestructible (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don’t destroy this.)
Storm Scale 1[1]
Statistics
210 cards
{C} 1.4% {W} 31% {U} 2.4% {B} 9.5% {R} 3.8% {G} 15.2% {W/U} 1% {U/B} 0.5% {B/R} 1.9% {R/G} 1% {G/W} 3.3% {W/B} 3.3% {U/R} 0.5% {B/G} 1.9% {R/W} 3.8% {G/U} 1% {M} 1.9% {artifact symbol} 14.3% {land symbol} 2.4%
Other Symbols
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Duels Indestructible.png}}|70x70px]]
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Indestructible"

Indestructible is an evergreen keyword ability. Indestructible permanents can't be destroyed by rules or effects.

Description

Indestructible permanents can still be put into their owner's graveyard by other means, such as by the "legend rule", by being sacrificed or (in the case of creatures) having zero or less toughness. They can also be removed from the battlefield by being bounced or exiled for example.

History

The first card that conferred indestructibility was Consecrate Land in Alpha, followed by Guardian Beast in Arabian Nights, but no other cards followed (and no formal rules existed) until Darksteel.[2][3][4] The word was originally used as a normal English descriptor rather than as a keyword. In this way, it was just an attribute that some permanents had.[5][6] Enough players confused it with a keyword that R&D eventually decided to just make it one in Magic 2014.[7][8]

Starting with Kaladesh, regeneration was retired. Instead, the phrase “gain indestructible until end of turn” came into being for new, but similar cards.[9][10]

Indestructible is primary in white, secondary in black and green, and tertiary in blue and red.[11] White, and to a lesser extent green, tend to have creatures that naturally have indestructible. Black and green, as the replacement for regeneration, often have activated abilities that grant indestructible until end of turn. White will at times use temporary indestructibility where it used to use protection.[11]

Ikoria Commander introduced indestructible counters.

Removing indestructible

Removing indestructible is a newer, rarely-seen ability, primarily given to red, as its damage-based removal translates poorly to exile effects. Using temporary indestructible as an analogue to regeneration, it acts as the successor to anti-regeneration text of the past.

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Indestructible
A keyword ability that precludes a permanent from being destroyed. See rule 702.12.

From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

  • 702.12. Indestructible
    • 702.12a Indestructible is a static ability.
    • 702.12b A permanent with indestructible can’t be destroyed. Such permanents aren’t destroyed by lethal damage, and they ignore the state-based action that checks for lethal damage (see rule 704.5g).
    • 702.12c Multiple instances of indestructible on the same permanent are redundant.

Rulings

  • Damage accumulates on indestructible creatures, and that damage is removed during the cleanup step.
  • Lethal damage is defined as an amount of damage greater than or equal to a creature's toughness. Even though an indestructible creature isn't destroyed by lethal damage, that definition is still used for things like assigning trample damage.
  • If a creature with lethal damage on it stops being indestructible, it's destroyed the next time state-based actions are checked.
  • Being indestructible stops only effects that would destroy the permanent, including destruction due to lethal damage and destruction that doesn't allow regeneration. An indestructible permanent can be exiled, returned to a player's hand, put into a graveyard for having 0 or less toughness (via anything that gives -X/-X for example), or sacrificed.
  • You can use a regeneration effect on an indestructible permanent, but since that permanent can't be destroyed, the effect does not apply, unless it loses indestructibility before the end of the end step, then it would regenerate.
  • Planeswalkers with indestructible will still have loyalty counters removed from them as they are dealt damage. If a planeswalker with indestructible has no loyalty counters, it will still be put into its owner's graveyard, as the rule that does this doesn't destroy the planeswalker.

Magic 2014 updates:

  • In most cases, indestructible becoming a keyword doesn't represent a functional change. There are two exceptions:
  • Previously, if a permanent was made indestructible by a resolving spell or ability (such as Withstand Death), and then that permanent lost its abilities, it would still be indestructible. This was because indestructible wasn't an ability; it was just something true about the permanent. Now, the permanent will gain the ability indestructible, and it will lose this ability along with its other abilities.
  • Previously, if a group of permanents were made indestructible by a resolving spell or ability (such as creatures you control being affected by Rootborn Defenses), permanents that joined that group or entered the battlefield after that spell or ability resolved would also be indestructible. This was because the effect making the permanents indestructible wasn't changing any of those permanents’ characteristics. Now, a permanent that enters the battlefield or comes under your control after the spell or ability resolves won't have indestructible, as it wasn't under your control at the appropriate time to gain it.

Examples

Example

Darksteel Ingot {3}
Artifact
Indestructible (Effects that say "destroy" don’t destroy this artifact.)
{T}: Add one mana of any color.

Spells that grant Indestructible

Instant


Enchantment

Creature

Artifact

Planeswalker

Spells that grant Indestructible and more

Instant

Enchantment

Creature

Land

Cards that have Indestructible

Creature

Artifact

Land

Spells that remove Indestructible

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (2018-06-11). "Storm Scale: Mirrodin and Scars of Mirrodin Blocks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 05, 2004). "Enter… The Matrix". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 13, 2010). "The Darksteel Returns". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Tom LaPille (December 17, 2010). "Alone in the Darksteel". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Randy Buehler (January 09, 2004). "Developing Indestructibility". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Magic Arcana (March 02, 2004). "Templating indestructibility". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Matt Tabak (May 23, 2013). "Magic 2014 Core Set Rules Preview". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 8, 2015). "Evergreen Eggs & Ham". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 16, 2016). "May I ask you on... Rush of Vitality?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  10. ↑ Gavin Verhey (September 21, 2017). "Indestructible Inspiration". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (June 5, 2017). "Mechanical Color Pie 2017". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Trick Jarrett (October 18, 2013). "Darksteel Mutation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
 
Other
 
Other
Digital only
Miscellaneous
Playtest
Unreleased
Former
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