Decoding Double Strike: Separating Attack Triggers from Combat Damage
Does Double Strike mean you get to attack twice? The short answer is a resounding no. While a creature with Double Strike deals combat damage twice in a single combat phase, it only attacks once. The key lies in understanding the difference between declaring an attacker and dealing combat damage. Attacking happens when creatures are declared as attackers during the Declare Attackers Step of the Combat Phase. Dealing combat damage is a subsequent action that occurs during the Combat Damage Steps.
Double Strike fundamentally changes how combat damage is dealt, not how the attack is initiated. A creature with Double Strike deals damage equal to its power once during the first strike combat damage step, and again during the regular combat damage step. This distinction is critical for understanding how Double Strike interacts with other triggered abilities and game mechanics.
Understanding the Nuances of Double Strike
The confusion often arises because Double Strike creates the impression of attacking twice. It’s crucial to remember that the “attack” is a single, initial action, and the damage dealing is a consequence of that action. A creature with Double Strike delivers two instances of combat damage during the combat phase, but the declaration of the attack, and therefore any abilities that trigger “when you attack,” only occur at the beginning of combat.
Consider a creature with the ability “Whenever this creature attacks, draw a card.” If this creature also has Double Strike, you will only draw one card during the combat phase because the “attack” only happens once when the creature is declared as an attacker. The subsequent instances of damage dealing, even though they involve combat, do not count as separate attacks.
Double Strike FAQs: Clearing the Confusion
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the mechanics of Double Strike and its interaction with other game elements:
1. Does Double Strike trigger “attack” abilities twice?
No. Abilities that trigger “whenever this creature attacks” only trigger when the creature is declared as an attacker during the Declare Attackers Step. Double Strike only affects how damage is dealt, not the initial declaration of the attack.
2. Does Double Strike cause combat damage triggers twice?
Absolutely! Creatures with Double Strike deal combat damage twice, once during the first strike combat damage step and once during the regular combat damage step. This means abilities that trigger “when this creature deals combat damage” will trigger twice if the creature successfully deals damage in both steps.
3. If I have a Sword of X and Y equipped, will it trigger twice with Double Strike?
Yes, if the equipped creature with Double Strike deals combat damage to a player in both combat damage steps, the Sword’s ability will trigger twice. Each instance of combat damage to a player can trigger the Sword’s effect.
4. Can you give Double Strike twice? Is it redundant?
Adding multiple instances of Double Strike is generally redundant. A creature with Double Strike effectively deals damage as if it has First Strike and as if it doesn’t. Since a creature with First Strike simply deals damage earlier, having multiple Double Strikes provides no additional benefit. The creature still only deals damage in the first strike and regular combat damage steps.
5. How does Double Strike interact with Deathtouch?
If a creature with Double Strike blocks a creature with Deathtouch, the Double Strike creature will deal damage in the first strike combat damage step. If that damage is lethal, the Deathtouch creature will be destroyed before it can deal damage in the regular combat damage step. This allows the Double Strike creature to survive the encounter.
6. How does Double Strike work with Combat Damage triggers?
As mentioned before, if a creature has Double Strike and is unblocked (or successfully deals damage to blockers in the first strike damage step), it will generally deal Combat Damage to the opponent twice: once in each Combat Damage step. This allows any ability that triggers on dealing combat damage to trigger in each Combat Damage step.
7. Does Double Strike affect how fighting works?
No. Neither First Strike nor Double Strike affect how the fighting mechanic works. Fighting is a separate game action where two creatures simultaneously deal damage to each other equal to their power. Double Strike only affects how combat damage is dealt during the combat phase.
8. Does Double Strike trigger Annihilator twice?
No. Annihilator triggers during the Declare Attackers Step when the creature with the ability is declared as an attacker. Since Double Strike only affects damage dealing, it does not cause Annihilator to trigger more than once.
9. Does Lifelink trigger twice with Double Strike?
Yes. Assuming the creature with Double Strike and Lifelink deals damage twice (once in each combat damage step), Lifelink will trigger both times. This means you will gain life equal to the damage dealt in each step. However, if the creature kills all blockers in the first strike damage step and doesn’t have Trample, it won’t deal damage in the normal combat damage step.
10. How does Double Strike work against multiple blockers?
A creature with Double Strike assigns its damage in each combat damage step. It must assign at least lethal damage to the first creature blocking it in the declared blocking order. Any remaining damage can be divided among the remaining blocking creatures, provided that all creatures ahead of it in the order have been assigned lethal damage. This damage assignment happens in both the first strike and regular combat damage steps.
11. Does Double Strike work with Infect?
Yes. If a creature has Double Strike and Infect, it deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters. Because it deals damage twice, the effects of Infect are applied twice, leading to a faster accumulation of -1/-1 counters on creatures or poison counters on players.
12. Does Indestructible prevent damage from a creature with Double Strike?
Indestructible does not prevent damage. It prevents damage from destroying a creature. A creature with Double Strike will still deal damage to an indestructible creature in both combat damage steps. Indestructible just means the creature won’t be destroyed by that damage. However, if the attacker also has wither or infect, the indestructible creature can still die from having zero or less toughness.
13. Does Indestructible override Deathtouch when facing Double Strike?
Yes, Indestructible creatures are immune to the destruction effect of Deathtouch. If an indestructible creature blocks a creature with both Double Strike and Deathtouch, the indestructible creature will not be destroyed, even if it takes damage in both combat damage steps.
14. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch when an attacker has Double Strike?
No, Hexproof does not stop Deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch is a static ability that applies when a creature deals damage; it doesn’t target. Even when an attacker has double strike, Hexproof only protects the creature from targeted spells and abilities.
15. Does Double Strike count as two combat damage?
Yes, Double Strike is an evergreen keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase. Once during the first combat damage step, along with any creatures that have first strike, and again during the second combat damage step along with creatures that have neither keyword.
In Conclusion: Double Strike Demystified
Double Strike is a powerful ability that significantly alters the dynamic of combat in Magic: The Gathering. While it doesn’t create additional attacks, it effectively doubles the impact of a single attack by dealing damage in two separate combat damage steps. Understanding the nuances of Double Strike and its interactions with other abilities is crucial for strategic gameplay. Now that you’re armed with this comprehensive knowledge, go forth and wield the power of Double Strike with confidence!
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