<p>It is the first one, they can choose to target your Hexproof creature.</p>

<p>The full meaning of Hexproof is:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>702.11b “Hexproof” on a permanent means “This permanent can’t be the target of spells or abilities <strong>your opponents control</strong>.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The person who activated Cuombajj Witches is controller of the ability. It doesn't matter that your opponent is making a choice.</p>

<p>The process for casting a spell or activating an ability starts with defining the controller:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>601.2a To propose the casting of a spell, a player first moves that card (or that copy of a card) from where it is to the stack. It becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has all the characteristics of the card (or the copy of a card) associated with it, <strong>and that player becomes its controller</strong>. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>And for Activated abilities:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>602.2a The player announces that they are activating the ability. If an activated ability is being activated from a hidden zone, the card that has that ability is revealed. That ability is created on the stack as an object that’s not a card. It becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics. <strong>Its controller is the player who activated the ability.</strong> The ability remains on the stack until it’s countered, it resolves, or an effect moves it elsewhere.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-29T20:52:47.960Z
2018-05-30T14:04:54.970Z
2018-05-30T14:04:54.970Z
GendoIkari
<p>There exist a small number of cards which have targets chosen by an opponent. While it is old, the most straightforward one I can find is <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bCuombajj%20Witches%5d">Cuombajj Witches</a> which has the ability:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>{T}: Cuombajj Witches deals 1 damage to any target and 1 damage to any target of an opponent's choice.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Suppose I have only one opponent, both players control a Hexproof creature, and I control a Cuombajj Witches. If I activate Cuombajj Witches' ability, I can choose to target my own Hexproof creature for one point of damage.</p>

<p>However, when my <em>opponent</em> chooses targets, are they also allowed to choose my Hexproof creature for 1 damage? Or are they allowed to choose their own Hexproof creature, as they could for their own spells and abilities? The first seems more likely to me, but I could see it either way.</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Interaction between Hexproof and "target of an opponent's choice"
Kamil Drakari
# Interaction between Hexproof and "target of an opponent's choice"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-29)

There exist a small number of cards which have targets chosen by an opponent. While it is old, the most straightforward one I can find is [Cuombajj Witches](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=%2b%5bCuombajj%20Witches%5d) which has the ability:

> {T}: Cuombajj Witches deals 1 damage to any target and 1 damage to any target of an opponent's choice.

Suppose I have only one opponent, both players control a Hexproof creature, and I control a Cuombajj Witches. If I activate Cuombajj Witches' ability, I can choose to target my own Hexproof creature for one point of damage.

However, when my *opponent* chooses targets, are they also allowed to choose my Hexproof creature for 1 damage? Or are they allowed to choose their own Hexproof creature, as they could for their own spells and abilities? The first seems more likely to me, but I could see it either way.

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-05-29. Score: 24 | Accepted answer

It is the first one, they can choose to target your Hexproof creature.

The full meaning of Hexproof is:

> 702.11b “Hexproof” on a permanent means “This permanent can’t be the target of spells or abilities **your opponents control**.”

The person who activated Cuombajj Witches is controller of the ability. It doesn't matter that your opponent is making a choice.

The process for casting a spell or activating an ability starts with defining the controller:

> 601.2a To propose the casting of a spell, a player first moves that card (or that copy of a card) from where it is to the stack. It becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has all the characteristics of the card (or the copy of a card) associated with it, **and that player becomes its controller**.

And for Activated abilities:

> 602.2a The player announces that they are activating the ability. If an activated ability is being activated from a hidden zone, the card that has that ability is revealed. That ability is created on the stack as an object that’s not a card. It becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics. **Its controller is the player who activated the ability.** The ability remains on the stack until it’s countered, it resolves, or an effect moves it elsewhere.


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