Since we last saw bloodthirst back in Ravnica block the game of Magic has had the introduction of a new card type, Planeswalker. And this new card type can produce a bit of a ‘wrinkle’ in how bloodthirst can work at times.

Damage from instants, sorceries, and abilities controlled by one player but would damage another can be redirected to a planeswalker that the would-be damaged player controls. If a player takes advantage of this option, then the damaged player will not receive any damage. Choosing to do so would then end up not letting the replacement effect set up by bloodthirst to put counters on your newly summoned creature because your opponent didn’t end up taking any of the damage.

Similarly, attacking a planeswalker doesn’t deal damage to the defending player, so again bloodthirst won’t do anything.

Today’s Rules Tip was submitted by Steve Peterman, a level 1 judge from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.