Unleashing the Deadly Duo: How First Strike and Deathtouch Work Together
A creature possessing both first strike and deathtouch in trading card games like Magic: The Gathering is a formidable force, combining the tactical advantage of striking first with the lethality of deathtouch. In essence, a creature with both abilities effectively deals combat damage during the first combat damage step. If this damage, even if it’s just one point, is dealt to a blocking or blocked creature, that creature is immediately destroyed because of deathtouch. The combination is powerful because it often means that the deathtouch creature will not take any damage in return since its opponent is eliminated in the initial damage step. This can lead to extremely efficient trades and powerful offensive capabilities. This article will delve into the intricacies of this combination, exploring its strategic applications and clarifying some common questions about how these two powerful keywords interact with other mechanics in the game.
First Strike and Deathtouch: A Synergistic Combination
Understanding First Strike
First strike is a keyword ability that modifies the order in which combat damage is dealt. Normally, all creatures deal their combat damage simultaneously. However, creatures with first strike deal their combat damage before creatures without first strike. If a creature has first strike but its blocker does not, the creature with first strike will inflict its damage before the opposing creature can deal any damage back. If this damage is lethal, the blocker will be destroyed before it has a chance to deal damage.
Understanding Deathtouch
Deathtouch is another static ability that dramatically changes how damage is assessed in combat. Rather than requiring a creature to be reduced to zero toughness by damage, a creature with deathtouch only needs to deal any amount of damage (one or more) to another creature to destroy that target. It’s crucial to understand that deathtouch isn’t a trigger or an activated ability; it’s a static effect applied when damage occurs.
The Deadly Synergy
When combined, first strike and deathtouch create a highly advantageous situation for the player controlling the creature. Here’s a breakdown:
- First Strike Advantage: The creature deals its damage during the first combat damage step, ahead of creatures lacking the ability.
- Deathtouch Lethality: Any damage dealt by the creature with deathtouch is sufficient to destroy any creature that takes that damage.
- The Outcome: If a creature with first strike and deathtouch deals even one damage during the first combat damage step, it will destroy the creature it is attacking or blocking. The blocker will not be around during the regular damage step and hence will not be able to deal damage to the first strike deathtouch creature.
Example Scenario
Consider a 4/2 creature with first strike and deathtouch attacking and blocked by a 10/10 creature without first strike or deathtouch.
- First Strike Damage Step: The 4/2 creature deals 4 damage to the 10/10 creature. Since this damage is dealt by a creature with deathtouch, it is lethal, and the 10/10 is destroyed immediately.
- Regular Combat Damage Step: This step is skipped since the blocker is already dead. The 4/2 creature takes no damage and survives.
This demonstrates the lethal efficiency of this combination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you have both First Strike and Deathtouch on the same creature?
Yes, a creature can certainly possess both first strike and deathtouch. These are independent static abilities that function separately, but in a highly synergistic manner.
2. How does First Strike and Deathtouch work against multiple blockers?
A creature with first strike and deathtouch may assign the minimum amount of damage to each blocker to destroy them. For example, if an attacking creature has these abilities and is blocked by three creatures, it can assign one damage to each blocker during the first strike damage step, destroying all of them.
3. How does Double Strike and Deathtouch work?
Double strike affects when a creature deals its combat damage. A creature with double strike deals damage during both the initial first strike damage step and again during the regular combat damage step. When combined with deathtouch, any damage it deals during either combat damage step, even if it’s just one point, is lethal.
4. Does a First Strike creature take damage if it kills a blocker with Deathtouch?
Yes, a creature with first strike will deal its damage before a creature without first strike. If a creature with first strike kills a creature with deathtouch, it will take no damage because the blocker will be destroyed before they get a chance to deal their damage.
5. What happens when blocking a creature with Deathtouch with a creature with First Strike?
The creature with first strike will deal damage first, and if that damage is lethal, the creature with deathtouch will die before dealing damage back.
6. What wins Indestructible vs Deathtouch?
Indestructible creatures are immune to deathtouch. The rule is that “can’t” overrules “does.” While deathtouch states the creature should be destroyed, indestructible states it cannot, thus indestructible will win out.
7. How does Deathtouch work with blocking?
A creature with deathtouch will destroy the creature it blocks if any damage is dealt in combat (unless it has indestructible). The attacking creature will destroy the creature with deathtouch if the attacker’s power is greater than the blocker’s toughness, even with deathtouch if first strike is not in the equation.
8. Does Deathtouch work if combat damage is prevented?
No. If all combat damage is prevented then deathtouch will not have any effect as damage was not dealt. The damage is still necessary for deathtouch to work.
9. Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch?
No, deathtouch does not cancel out itself in combat. Any damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch is lethal, regardless of whether the creature it is damaging also has deathtouch.
10. Does Deathtouch work when two creatures fight?
Yes. Deathtouch applies to all damage, including damage dealt during fights. If a creature with deathtouch fights another creature, any damage it deals will be enough to destroy the other creature unless the opponent is indestructible.
11. Does First Strike beat Lifelink?
Yes and No. First strike happens first. If the first striker’s damage is lethal, then the non first strike creature will be destroyed and not have a chance to deal damage and therefore the lifelink ability will not trigger. However, if the non first striker does not die from first strike damage, their lifelink will work.
12. Does Hexproof prevent Deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not block deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents the creature from being targeted by spells or abilities an opponent controls, while deathtouch is a static ability that applies when damage is dealt and does not target.
13. Does Deathtouch override Indestructible?
No. Indestructible takes precedence over deathtouch. An indestructible creature cannot be destroyed by damage, regardless if that damage is inflicted by deathtouch.
14. Does Deathtouch work on Planeswalkers?
No, deathtouch only affects creatures. To damage a Planeswalker with deathtouch and receive a bonus, another ability like that of Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence would be required.
15. Does Regenerate beat Deathtouch?
Yes, regeneration is effective against deathtouch. If a creature is dealt damage by a creature with deathtouch that would otherwise destroy it, activating a regeneration ability will prevent it from being destroyed.
Conclusion
The combination of first strike and deathtouch on a single creature is incredibly powerful. The ability to strike first, combined with the assurance of lethal damage, creates a very efficient combatant. Understanding how these abilities work together, and in conjunction with other rules, is crucial for strategic play. These abilities often lead to advantageous board states and can give players a decisive edge in gameplay. By understanding the nuances of these keywords and interactions, players can elevate their game and make the most of these deadly combinations.