Unblockable creatures in Magic: The Gathering can be incredibly powerful, often swinging the game in your favor with devastating attacks. Understanding how unblockable works, and how to utilize or counter it, is crucial for any aspiring or seasoned MTG player. This guide will explore various ways creatures become unblockable, strategies to leverage them, and effective counterplay.
What Makes a Creature Unblockable?
Several mechanics and effects in MTG grant creatures the coveted unblockable status. Let's break them down:
Keywords & Abilities:
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Flying: The classic unblockable ability. Only creatures with flying or reach can block flying creatures. This keyword is prevalent across many sets and colors.
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Trample: While not strictly unblockable, Trample allows excess damage from a creature with power exceeding a blocker's toughness to spill over to the player. This effectively makes the excess damage unblockable.
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Unblockable: This is the most straightforward way. The creature simply cannot be blocked. This ability can be granted temporarily or permanently through various cards and effects.
Enchantments & Auras:
Many enchantments and auras grant creatures unblockable as an added effect. These cards often come with additional benefits, making them even more powerful additions to your deck. Keep an eye out for cards that offer unblockable as a bonus effect alongside other powerful abilities. Examples might include effects that grant haste alongside unblockable, making for aggressive early-game plays.
Spells & Abilities:
Certain spells and activated abilities can temporarily grant unblockable to a creature. This is often a tactical choice, allowing you to get in crucial damage before the opponent can react. These effects are typically used strategically in specific game situations.
Strategies Utilizing Unblockable Creatures
The effective use of unblockable creatures hinges on your overall strategy. Here are some key approaches:
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Aggro Decks: Unblockable creatures are the cornerstone of aggressive decks, allowing you to quickly chip away at your opponent's life total before they can establish a solid defense.
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Combo Decks: Some combo decks utilize unblockable creatures as a critical component to achieve a game-winning combination. These decks often focus on synergies and temporary buffs to maximize the impact of their unblockable units.
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Control Decks: Even control decks can benefit from occasional unblockable threats to break through stalled board states and secure victory.
Countering Unblockable Creatures
While powerful, unblockable creatures aren't invincible. Here are some effective counterplay options:
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Removal Spells: Simply eliminating the unblockable creature before it can deal lethal damage is often the most effective strategy.
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Pacifism Effects: These enchantments neutralize the creature's attacking abilities, rendering its unblockable status irrelevant.
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Blocking with Reach: Creatures with Reach can block flying creatures, negating one of the most common sources of unblockability.
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Instant-Speed Interaction: Using instants to counter the effects that grant unblockability, or to remove the creature when it's granted unblockable. This requires careful timing and an understanding of your opponent's strategy.
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This guide provides a strong foundation for understanding unblockable creatures in MTG. Remember, mastering these mechanics is crucial for success in the game. By understanding how to utilize and counter unblockable creatures, you'll significantly enhance your gameplay and climb the ranks!
