Does First Strike Deal Damage? Unraveling the Mysteries of Combat Timing

Yes, First Strike absolutely deals damage. It doesn’t add damage, but rather it changes when the damage is dealt during the combat phase. Creatures with First Strike deal their combat damage in a separate First Strike damage step before creatures without the ability get to dish out their blows in the regular combat damage step. This seemingly simple distinction has significant implications for combat outcomes, allowing creatures with First Strike to potentially eliminate their opponents before they even get a chance to retaliate.

Understanding the Combat Phase

To fully grasp the impact of First Strike, it’s essential to understand the basic structure of the combat phase in games where this ability is featured:

1. Beginning of Combat Step: Initial actions can occur here.

2. Declare Attackers Step: The attacking player chooses which creatures to attack with.

3. Declare Blockers Step: The defending player chooses which creatures to block with.

4. Combat Damage Step: This is where First Strike comes into play. This step is divided into two sub-steps:

   • First Strike Combat Damage Step: Creatures with First Strike and/or Double Strike deal their combat damage simultaneously.
   • Regular Combat Damage Step: Creatures without First Strike deal their combat damage simultaneously. Creatures with Double Strike also deal damage in this step.

5. End of Combat Step: Final actions can occur here.

First Strike in Action: A Practical Example

Imagine a 2/2 creature with First Strike attacking a 3/3 creature without First Strike. Here’s how the combat plays out:

• During the First Strike combat damage step, the 2/2 creature with First Strike deals 2 damage to the 3/3 creature.
• If this 2 damage is enough to kill the 3/3 (perhaps it already had damage marked on it), the 3/3 creature is destroyed and removed from combat before it gets a chance to deal any damage.
• Because the 3/3 creature is no longer present during the regular combat damage step, the 2/2 creature survives unscathed.

Now, consider the reverse scenario, where neither creature has First Strike. In the regular combat damage step, the 2/2 and 3/3 would deal damage simultaneously. The 2/2 would deal 2 damage to the 3/3, and the 3/3 would deal 3 damage to the 2/2, resulting in both creatures being destroyed.

The Power of Timing

The example above illustrates the core advantage of First Strike: the ability to potentially remove a blocker or attacker before it has a chance to deal damage. This is particularly powerful against creatures with high power but low toughness, or against creatures with abilities triggered by dealing damage, such as Deathtouch or Lifelink. Timing truly is everything, especially on the battlefield. This shows how game design can influence strategy, as explored by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About First Strike

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide an even deeper understanding of First Strike and its intricacies:

1. Does First Strike Stack?

No, having multiple instances of First Strike doesn’t provide any additional benefit. A creature either has First Strike or it doesn’t.

2. What happens when two creatures with First Strike block each other?

When two creatures with First Strike block each other, they deal damage to each other simultaneously during the First Strike combat damage step.

3. Does First Strike work with Deathtouch?

Yes! This is a potent combination. If a creature with First Strike and Deathtouch deals damage to another creature, that other creature is immediately destroyed, even if the damage dealt is just 1. This is because deathtouch means any damage is considered lethal.

4. Does First Strike work with Lifelink?

Yes! If a creature with First Strike and Lifelink deals damage, its controller gains life equal to the damage dealt during the first strike damage step. This can provide a significant life swing early in combat.

5. How does First Strike interact with Indestructible?

An Indestructible creature still takes damage from a creature with First Strike. However, because it can’t be destroyed by damage, it will survive the First Strike combat damage step and deal its own damage during the regular combat damage step.

6. What’s the difference between First Strike and Double Strike?

First Strike allows a creature to deal damage in the First Strike combat damage step only. Double Strike allows a creature to deal damage in both the First Strike combat damage step and the regular combat damage step. A creature with double strike effectively deals damage twice.

7. Does First Strike affect spells like Lightning Bolt?

No, First Strike only affects combat damage. Direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt are unaffected by the First Strike ability.

8. Can I cast spells or activate abilities after First Strike damage is dealt?

Yes! Players receive priority after the First Strike combat damage step but before the regular combat damage step. This allows you to cast instants or activate abilities in response to the outcome of the First Strike combat damage step.

9. If a creature with First Strike is blocked by multiple creatures, how is the damage assigned?

The attacking player (the player controlling the creature with First Strike) assigns the damage. They must assign at least lethal damage to one blocker before assigning any damage to another. If a blocker is destroyed during the First Strike combat damage step, any remaining damage that would have been assigned to it is simply lost (it can’t be redirected).

10. Does First Strike work against creatures with Hexproof?

Yes, Hexproof only prevents creatures from being the target of spells or abilities your opponent’s control. First Strike is an ability that modifies how combat damage is dealt, it doesn’t target the creature.

11. Does First Strike prevent triggered abilities from happening if a creature is destroyed?

Whether or not a triggered ability goes off depends on the wording of the triggered ability itself. If the ability triggers “when this creature deals combat damage,” it won’t trigger if the creature dies in the First Strike combat damage step before it can deal damage in the regular combat damage step. If the ability triggers “when this creature is dealt damage” or “when this creature dies,” it will still trigger.

12. If a creature with First Strike attacks and is blocked, but then the blocker is removed before the First Strike combat damage step, what happens?

If a blocker is removed from combat before the First Strike combat damage step, the attacking creature with First Strike will deal its damage to the defending player (or planeswalker the attacking player chose to attack) instead, assuming that the attacking creature is not blocked by another creature.

13. How does Trample interact with First Strike?

If a creature with First Strike and Trample deals enough damage to its blockers during the First Strike combat damage step to destroy them, any remaining damage is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker. If blockers survive the First Strike combat damage step, the Trample damage calculation is based on the damage dealt during the regular combat damage step.

14. Is First Strike useful in all situations?

While First Strike is a powerful ability, it is not always the best choice. For example, a small creature with First Strike may be ineffective against a much larger creature, even with the advantage of striking first. Also, it is less effective against creatures with Indestructible or high toughness.

15. How can I build a strategy around First Strike?

Building a strategy around First Strike often involves combining it with other abilities such as Deathtouch, Lifelink, or Trample. It can also be used to control the board by eliminating key blockers or attackers before they have a chance to deal damage. Furthermore, cards that grant First Strike temporarily can be powerful combat tricks.