Bedrock TortoiseHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Bedrock Tortoise Does

This creature provides two distinct benefits. First, it grants hexproof to all creatures you control, but only during your turn. Second, it implements a static ability that changes how your creatures deal combat damage. If a creature you control has a toughness value higher than its power value, it will use its toughness to determine how much combat damage it deals to players, planeswalkers, or other creatures.

Resolving the Damage Step

When you enter the combat damage step, the game checks the current power and toughness of your creatures. If a creature's toughness is strictly greater than its power, you assign damage equal to the toughness. Note that this only applies to combat damage; if a spell or ability instructs a creature to 'deal damage equal to its power,' the Tortoise does not change that calculation. The creature's actual power remains unchanged for all other game checks.

Common Mistakes and Timing

A frequent error is assuming your creatures are always protected. The hexproof granted by Bedrock Tortoise only functions 'during your turn.' As soon as your turn ends and your opponent's turn begins, your creatures lose hexproof and become vulnerable to targeted removal. Additionally, remember that this effect is mandatory; you cannot choose to deal damage with power if the toughness is higher.

Strategic Implementation

Bedrock Tortoise is best utilized in decks that feature creatures with high defensive stats but low offensive stats. It effectively 'buffs' these creatures for free during combat. Because it also provides hexproof during your turn, it allows you to cast combat tricks or target your own creatures with spells without fear of a disruptive response from your opponent.

Interaction examples

Enhanced Golem Attacks

Solemn Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum is normally a 2/2 creature. However, if an effect increases its toughness (making it a 2/3) while Bedrock Tortoise is on the battlefield, the Golem will assign 3 combat damage instead of 2. Furthermore, during your turn, your opponent cannot target Solemn Simulacrum with spells like Go for the Throat.

Safe Recovery with Witness

Eternal Witness

When you play Eternal Witness during your turn while Bedrock Tortoise is out, the Witness gains hexproof immediately. This prevents your opponent from using a removal spell to kill the Witness in response to its 'enters-the-battlefield' trigger, ensuring you successfully return a card from your graveyard to your hand.

Combat Math Swap

If Bedrock Tortoise attacks alone, the game checks its stats (0/6). Since 6 is greater than 0, the Tortoise assigns 6 combat damage. If the opponent blocks with a 2/2 creature, the Tortoise survives and deals 6 damage, likely destroying the blocker.