Protection

Protection is a keyword ability that grants several different effects to the permanent or player it is affecting. It was first introduced in Alpha and still sees frequent use on cards.

Protection always appears in the form "Protection from" followed by one or more qualities or characteristics. The effects of Protection are often described using the mnemonic DEBT. The permanent or player with protection can't be:

• Damaged by sources with the given quality (all such damage is prevented)
• Enchanted or equipped by permanents with the given quality
• Blocked by creatures with the given quality (if it's a creature)
• Targeted by spells of the given quality, or abilities with sources of the given quality.

From the Comprehensive Rules

• 502.7. Protection
  • 502.7a Protection is a static ability, written “Protection from [quality].” This quality is usually a color (as in “protection from black”) but can be any characteristic value. If the quality is a type, subtype, or supertype, the protection applies to sources that are permanents with that type, subtype, or supertype and to any sources not in play that are of that type, subtype, or supertype.
  • 502.7b A permanent with protection can’t be targeted by spells with the stated quality and can’t be targeted by abilities from a source with the stated quality.
  • 502.7c A permanent with protection can’t be enchanted by Auras that have the stated quality. Such Auras attached to the permanent with protection will be put into their owners’ graveyards as a state-based effect. (See rule 420, “State-Based Effects.”)
  • 502.7d A permanent with protection can’t be equipped by Equipment that have the stated quality. Such Equipment become unattached from that permanent, but remain in play. (See rule 420, “State-Based Effects.”)
  • 502.7e Any damage that would be dealt by sources that have the stated quality to a permanent that has protection is prevented.
  • 502.7f If a creature with protection attacks, it can’t be blocked by creatures that have the stated quality.
  • 502.7g Multiple instances of protection from the same quality on the same permanent are redundant.

Protection is commonly misunderstood as being complete exemption from effects created by cards with the quality being protected from, which would allow, for example, a creature with protection from white to survive the effect of Wrath of God. This is not the case, however, as anything other than the specific things mentioned above is not hampered by protection in any way. Thus, as Wrath does not attempt to damage or target the creature, it will still be destroyed.