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.
Rules
The current reminder text for protection reads "This [object] can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything [quality]."
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.
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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.
History
In chronological order:
| Protection type | Set in which first appeared | Cards on which first appeared |
|---|---|---|
| protection from [color] | Alpha | Black Knight, Black Ward, Blue Ward, Green Ward, Red Ward, White Knight, White Ward |
| protection from artifacts | Antiquities | Artifact Ward |
| protection from [creature type] | Invasion | Shoreline Raider, Tsabo Tavoc (later errataed to protection from supertype and type) |
| protection from all colors | Odyssey | Iridescent Angel |
| protection from creatures | Odyssey | Beloved Chaplain |
| protection from enchantments | Odyssey | Tattoo Ward |
| protection from instants | Odyssey | Devoted Caretaker |
| protection from sorceries | Odyssey | Devoted Caretaker |
| protection from [converted mana cost] | Future Sight | Mistmeadow Skulk |
| protection from | ||
| protection from everything | Conflux | Progenitus |
| protection from lands | Worldwake | Horizon Drake |