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Sacrifice vs. destroy

Zones & actions

Two ways to send a permanent to the graveyard that play very differently.

How it works

To sacrifice a permanent, you move one you control to its owner's graveyard. You can only sacrifice when an effect or cost tells you to, and you choose which of your own permanents (never an opponent's).

To destroy a permanent is to move it to the graveyard via an effect that says 'destroy.' Destruction can be stopped by indestructible or regeneration; sacrifice can't.

Common confusions

Sacrifice vs. indestructible / hexproof.

Sacrifice ignores both. It isn't destruction (indestructible doesn't help) and it isn't targeted (hexproof doesn't help) — you simply choose your own permanent.

Edicts ('each player sacrifices a creature').

A great answer to hexproof/indestructible threats: each opponent must sacrifice, choosing one of their own creatures — no targeting involved.

Can I make an opponent sacrifice a specific creature?

Only if the effect lets you choose. Most edicts let the sacrificing player pick, so they'll usually keep their best creature.

CR 701.21, 701.9Indestructibleregeneratesacrifice