How does damage work in Magic The Gathering?
Damage in Magic The Gathering is a mechanic that allows creatures, spells, and abilities to deal damage to players, planeswalkers, and other creatures, which can be detrimental to the object or player that receives it, and is generally determined by the power of the attacking creature. Understanding how damage works is crucial to playing the game effectively, as it can lead to the destruction of creatures, loss of life, and ultimately, the win or loss of the game.
Understanding Damage in Magic The Gathering
Damage is a fundamental concept in Magic The Gathering, and it’s essential to understand how it works to play the game effectively. In this section, we’ll delve into the details of damage, including how it’s dealt, how it’s assigned, and how it affects the game.
What is Damage?
Damage is a mechanic that allows creatures, spells, and abilities to deal damage to players, planeswalkers, and other creatures. When a creature deals damage to another creature, the damage is marked on the creature, and if the total damage marked on the creature is greater than or equal to its toughness, the creature is destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about damage in Magic The Gathering that provide additional valuable information for readers:
- Does damage destroy MTG? No, damage itself does not destroy a creature, but if the total damage marked on a creature is greater than or equal to its toughness, the creature is destroyed.
- Who chooses damage in Magic The Gathering? The attacking player chooses the damage assignment order during the declare blockers step, but the defending player can ignore that order when assigning damage in the combat damage step.
- Does damage carry over in magic? Yes, damage marked on creatures remains for the entire turn and is removed during the cleanup step of each turn.
- Can a creature take more damage than it has toughness? Yes, a creature can take more damage than its toughness, but if the total damage marked on the creature is greater than or equal to its toughness, the creature is destroyed.
- What is the double damage rule in Magic The Gathering? A damage doubler in MTG is any sort of card that modifies the damage that your cards can deal, usually by doubling it.
- How does attacking work in magic? A player is “attacking [a player]” if the first player controls a creature that is attacking the second player.
- Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch? No, two instances of the Deathtouch ability against one another do not cancel out the Deathtouch ability.
- What is the 21 damage rule in Magic The Gathering? A player that’s been dealt 21 or more combat damage by the same commander over the course of the game loses the game.
- Do +1 weapons do magic damage? No, a +1 weapon does not do magic damage, but it can overcome resistance which requires a magic weapon.
- Who is the strongest in Magic The Gathering? The strongest creatures in Magic The Gathering include Tarmogoyf, Griselbrand, True-Name Nemesis, and Emrakul, the Aeons Torn.
- Does first strike beat Deathtouch? Yes, a creature with first strike will hit first and can possibly kill the Deathtouch creature before it has a chance to hit.
- What is the most broken mechanic in Magic The Gathering? The most broken mechanics in Magic The Gathering include Bands With Other, Storm, Phyrexian Mana, and Annihilator.
- Does Deathtouch beat indestructible? No, in-destructible creatures are immune to Deathtouch and cannot be destroyed by it.
- What kills indestructible in Magic The Gathering? Indestructible permanents can still be put into their owner’s graveyard by other means, such as by the legend rule, by being sacrificed, or by having zero or less toughness.
- Is taking damage the same as losing life in MTG? No, damage causes loss of life, but loss of life is not damage, and you will not draw cards off Dina if you lose life.
By understanding how damage works in Magic The Gathering, players can make more informed decisions during the game and increase their chances of winning. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, knowing the rules and mechanics of damage is crucial to success in the game.