<p><strong>No, the creature with Ninjutsu is attacking the same thing as the creature it replaced.</strong></p>
<p>In the <a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Ninjutsu" rel="noreferrer">Ninjutsu rules</a>, rule 702.49c says</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A ninjutsu ability may be activated only while a creature on the battlefield is unblocked (see rule 509.1h). The creature with ninjutsu is put onto the battlefield unblocked. <strong>It will be attacking the same player, planeswalker, or battle as the creature that was returned to its owner’s hand.</strong></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-11T18:10:44.987Z
2023-12-11T18:10:44.987Z
murgatroid99
<p>Consider the following situation:</p>
<ol>
<li>It is player A's turn.</li>
<li>Player A has 3 1/1 creatures.</li>
<li>Player B has 1 1/1 blocker and a planeswalker at 2 loyalty.</li>
<li>Player A has all of their creatures attack the planeswalker.</li>
<li>Player B can't save their planeswalker, so they don't take the trade, leaving all three creatures unblocked.</li>
<li>Player A ninjutsu's a ninja from their hand, replacing one of the unblocked attackers.</li>
</ol>
<p>Can the ninja attack player B's face, or must it attack the same planeswalker as the original creature?</p>
<p>Relatedly, in a commander game, can an unblocked attacker against Player B be ninjutsu'd to create an unblocked attacker against Player C?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Can a creature with Ninjutsu attack a different target as the creature it replaces?
Tim C
# Can a creature with Ninjutsu attack a different target as the creature it replaces?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-12-11)

Consider the following situation:

1. It is player A's turn.
2. Player A has 3 1/1 creatures.
3. Player B has 1 1/1 blocker and a planeswalker at 2 loyalty.
4. Player A has all of their creatures attack the planeswalker.
5. Player B can't save their planeswalker, so they don't take the trade, leaving all three creatures unblocked.
6. Player A ninjutsu's a ninja from their hand, replacing one of the unblocked attackers.

Can the ninja attack player B's face, or must it attack the same planeswalker as the original creature?

Relatedly, in a commander game, can an unblocked attacker against Player B be ninjutsu'd to create an unblocked attacker against Player C?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-12-11. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

**No, the creature with Ninjutsu is attacking the same thing as the creature it replaced.**

In the [Ninjutsu rules](https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Ninjutsu), rule 702.49c says

> A ninjutsu ability may be activated only while a creature on the battlefield is unblocked (see rule 509.1h). The creature with ninjutsu is put onto the battlefield unblocked. **It will be attacking the same player, planeswalker, or battle as the creature that was returned to its owner’s hand.**


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