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Rules AnswersKeywords & Abilities

Can you sacrifice a creature with indestructible to pay a cost?

Short answer
Yes. Indestructible only prevents destruction; sacrifice is a cost that moves the creature to the graveyard directly, bypassing indestructible.

Indestructible is a keyword ability defined in CR 702.12b: a permanent with indestructible cannot be destroyed — meaning it is not put into the graveyard by effects that use the word 'destroy' or by lethal damage. It has no effect on sacrifice.

Sacrifice is a specific game action defined in CR 701.17a: 'To sacrifice a permanent, its controller moves it from the battlefield directly to its owner's graveyard.' This action bypasses the indestructible replacement effect entirely because it does not involve 'destroying' the permanent.

When a spell or ability requires you to sacrifice a creature as a cost (CR 118.12), you simply move that creature from the battlefield to the graveyard. Indestructible provides zero protection against this, and the sacrifice is completed normally.

Concrete example: You control a Darksteel Myr (which has indestructible) and you cast Fling, which reads 'As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature.' You may legally sacrifice Darksteel Myr to pay that cost — it goes to the graveyard immediately, and Fling resolves dealing damage equal to its power.

Remember: indestructible protects against 'destroy' effects and lethal damage only. It does not protect against being sacrificed, exiled, or bounced.

HIGH confidence CR 701.17a CR 702.12b CR 118.12
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