Attacking planeswalkers

[ibtrickey]

How does attacking a planeswalker work? Do you get to just attack them or does the player have to choose to block with them?

[ApexPredator]

Yes you can declare that you are attacking the Walker. Here's the relevant rule
508.1b If the defending player controls any planeswalkers, or the game allows the active player to attack multiple other players, the active player announces which player or planeswalker each of the chosen creatures is attacking.

[ibtrickey]

So the active player chooses if they attack the player or planeswalker? If they choose the planeswalker the blocking player had to have the planeswalker lose those loyalty counters?

[Pleeb]

The defending player can assign creatures to block creatures attacking his planeswalker just as he would block a creature attacking him.

[ibtrickey]

Can you defend the planeswalker?

[ApexPredator]

Yes they declare directly. If the player declares no blocks the loyalty counters were be removed.

306.8. Damage dealt to a planeswalker results in that many loyalty counters being removed from it.

306.9. If a planeswalker's loyalty is 0, it's put into its owner's graveyard. (This is a state-based action. See rule 704.)

[ApexPredator]

Yes your creatures can block just like if the player was being attacked

[ibtrickey]

And you can not block with a planeswalker?

[ApexPredator]

No they are not creatures.

[ibtrickey]

Then what is the planeswalker replacement rule?

[Sardok]

Then what is the planeswalker replacement rule?

306.5b A planeswalker is treated as if its text box included, "This permanent enters the battlefield with a number of loyalty counters on it equal to its printed loyalty number." This ability creates a replacement effect (see rule 614.1c).

This.

[ibtrickey]

Then what do the rulings on {Empyrial Archangel} mean?

[Sardok]

Then what do the rulings on {Empyrial Archangel} mean?

Could you post this as a new question? This is deviating further and further away from the main question.

[griffin131]

Then what do the rulings on {Empyrial Archangel} mean?

Your opponent bolts.
It resolves.
Your opponent wants to kill {Jace}.
Jace dies.

If your opponent wanted to damage you, the Archangel would take the damage.