<p><strong>No, they are not protected</strong></p>

<p><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bDiffusion%20Sliver%5d">Diffusion Sliver</a>'s ability is only triggered when a Sliver becomes a 'target'. A creature is only targeted by spells or abilities that actually have the word 'target' on it. For instance, <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bGiant%20Growth%5d">Giant Growth</a>. From the <a href="http://media.wizards.com/2016/docs/MagicCompRules_CN2_Update_20160826.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Comprehensive rules</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>114.1a An instant or sorcery spell is targeted if its spell ability identifies something it will affect by using the phrase “target [something],”</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(Note that rule 114 in its entirety describes 'targeting', this is just a specific excerpt for instants and sorceries.)</p>

<p>The Sliver needs to be identified as that '<em>target [something]</em>' in order for this specific ability to trigger. On instants and sorceries, this is spelled out; casting an Aura (ie <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bUnholy%20Strength%5d">Unholy Strength</a>) on a Sliver also triggers the ability added to it by Diffusion Sliver, as they have an implicit target:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>114.1b Aura spells are always targeted. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>Casting an equipment would not trigger the ability, as they enter play unattached and not targeting anything.  Their equip-ability however <em>would</em> count as becoming a target.</p>

<p>To look a little closer at what spells do and do not target the Slivers:</p>

<ul>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTwiddle%5d">Twiddle</a> would target the Sliver and trigger this ability. </li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTurnabout%5d">Turnabout</a> wouldn't, because the card doesn't target a creature, it targets a player. </li>
<li><a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bCall%20to%20Glory%5d">Call to Glory</a> would not target the Sliver, as it doesn't target anything.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-21T09:31:14.510Z
2016-11-21T10:51:15.260Z
2016-11-21T10:51:15.260Z
steenbergh
<p>No, the key word here is "target". Your slivers get an ability that triggers whenevery a spell or ability gets cast/activated that contains the word "target", e.g. Doom Blade. Any spells/abilities which do not "target" your slivers are uneffected by diffusion sliver, as here in your example edicts don't target your creatures but you and wrath doesn't target at all.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-21T08:10:57.787Z
2016-11-21T08:10:57.787Z
RoHo
<p>If I have a <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bDiffusion%20Sliver%5d">Diffusion Sliver</a> out, are my Slivers protected from <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWrath%20of%20God%5d">Wrath of God</a>? What about <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bChainer%27s%5d%2b%5bEdict%5d">Chainer&#39;s Edict</a>?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-21T06:27:55.513Z
Although the question is different, [this answer](http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/32951/does-heroic-trigger-on-a-static-effect/32952#32952) applies here, too.
steenbergh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-21T06:35:29.993Z
http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/4638/does-wrath-of-god-really-destroy-creatures-with-shroud http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/14218/do-permanents-controlled-by-a-player-with-hexproof-also-have-hexproof
Hackworth
<magic-the-gathering>
Does Diffusion Sliver protect from boardwipe spells and sacrifice spells?
Chris Zog
# Does Diffusion Sliver protect from boardwipe spells and sacrifice spells?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-21)

If I have a [Diffusion Sliver](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bDiffusion%20Sliver%5d) out, are my Slivers protected from [Wrath of God](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bWrath%20of%20God%5d)? What about [Chainer's Edict](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bChainer%27s%5d%2b%5bEdict%5d)?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Although the question is different, [this answer](http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/32951/does-heroic-trigger-on-a-static-effect/32952#32952) applies here, too.  
> **username_2**: http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/4638/does-wrath-of-god-really-destroy-creatures-with-shroud http://boardgames.stackexchange.com/questions/14218/do-permanents-controlled-by-a-player-with-hexproof-also-have-hexproof  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-11-21. Score: 2

**No, they are not protected**

[Diffusion Sliver](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bDiffusion%20Sliver%5d)'s ability is only triggered when a Sliver becomes a 'target'. A creature is only targeted by spells or abilities that actually have the word 'target' on it. For instance, [Giant Growth](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bGiant%20Growth%5d). From the [Comprehensive rules](http://media.wizards.com/2016/docs/MagicCompRules_CN2_Update_20160826.pdf):

> 114.1a An instant or sorcery spell is targeted if its spell ability identifies something it will affect by using the phrase “target [something],”

(Note that rule 114 in its entirety describes 'targeting', this is just a specific excerpt for instants and sorceries.)

The Sliver needs to be identified as that '*target [something]*' in order for this specific ability to trigger. On instants and sorceries, this is spelled out; casting an Aura (ie [Unholy Strength](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bUnholy%20Strength%5d)) on a Sliver also triggers the ability added to it by Diffusion Sliver, as they have an implicit target:

> 114.1b Aura spells are always targeted.

Casting an equipment would not trigger the ability, as they enter play unattached and not targeting anything. Their equip-ability however *would* count as becoming a target.

To look a little closer at what spells do and do not target the Slivers:

* [Twiddle](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTwiddle%5d) would target the Sliver and trigger this ability.
* [Turnabout](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bTurnabout%5d) wouldn't, because the card doesn't target a creature, it targets a player.
* [Call to Glory](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bCall%20to%20Glory%5d) would not target the Sliver, as it doesn't target anything.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-11-21. Score: 1

No, the key word here is "target". Your slivers get an ability that triggers whenevery a spell or ability gets cast/activated that contains the word "target", e.g. Doom Blade. Any spells/abilities which do not "target" your slivers are uneffected by diffusion sliver, as here in your example edicts don't target your creatures but you and wrath doesn't target at all.


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