Is a "shield" synonomous with a "player"?

If a card may not attack a player, does that mean that it may not deliver the final "killshot" by hitting the player -- or does that mean the card cannot attack shields?

Player means shield/player but shield only means shield. Cards that cannot attack players cannot attack shields or the player when there are no shields. But double breaker specifically says shields, so you can't use that effect to kill a player.

*Head spins round a few times*

Jyoushiro - where did you get your information? My playgroup has thought that when a card can't attack a player, it just can't do the killshot, but CAN take out shields or other creatures...

what jyou said. i think that was well put.
hey guys (jyou and chrono), can we turn this into a regular corner or something where you guys answer first, and then i come up and agree with you? :)

is this a fade game like pokemon will it end like dragonballz

This is good to know. Thank you. My friend said the same thing whjen I attacked with the dark knight guy(double breaker).

I have a tri color deck. Red/black/blue. no im not a noob. Ive played magic for 3 years. red/black vcreature kill, blue- tutors/card draw, black- kill condition(zaagan), blue- kill condition(tropico). Ii t works great

I think someone clarified that Players pertains to Shields, as there is only two things to attack. Now, if you can attack tapped creatures, what's the only thing left to attack?

Q: I have a creature that has "blocker." Can I attack with it?

A: Yes, unless the creature says otherwise. Some blockers say "this creature can't attack players," so you can still use them to attack tapped creatures. Some blockers say "this creature can't attack," which means you can't attack with them at all. If a blocker doesn't say anything like that, you can attack with it.

Thank you for that information, my group was playing it wrong...I'll have to point that out today...

There are only two possible targets to attack: Players or (tapped) Creatures. If you attack a player then he uses a shield to block. The shield isn't actually there...

Patrick (aka Mutt) -- the same rationale was used by my group (that is what happens when people who have played MTG for 5+ years start playing DM). We had a heated discussion whether a "cannot attack players" card could attack shields.
The answer appears to be "No" -- but does anyone have an inside source (all my prior WotC sources now work for UDE, Nintendo, or Sabretooth) -- it'd be nice to get "official" clarification.

I also see another rules misunderstanding coming from younger players -- and that is who can block.
This game only allows untapped cards with the keyword "Blocker" block -- but I see some people stating they block with ANY untapped creature.
I find that I must force my opponent to tell me what he is attacking (shield or creature) so that I can determine if I wish to have a "Blocker" intercept the attack or let it damage the chosen target. Ones who have played MTG still try to play DM by putting the attack on "the stack" and let the oppent decide what gets damaged (which is not part of the DM gameplay).
All us old-timers are going to muck up the rules interpretations for several weeks, I suspect.

is this a fad game like pokemon will get lame in a few months or less than a year.

I never saw Pokemon become a fad game (my area still has a very strong 40+ weekly player base).
Considering that WotC is projecting 1 120 card set and 3 60 card expansion sets per year -- you'll either choose to participate avidly, frequently, hardly, or not at all.
If everyone chooses "not at all" - then the game will fade into oblivion.
As with all games, the period to prove its longevity will occur in the first 18 months.

Jyo, I don't see that question in the rulebook!

magimutt used my psuedo-analogy to explain this! The shields are there because of you, and only because of you. The shields didnt rain down from the heavens and become self sustaining, you're generating those shields. That's why they're not actually there till you need them to defend yourself, otherwise when you are attacked!