What is Double Strike on Damage Effects?

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. This ability enables creatures with double strike to assign and deal combat damage in two different combat damage steps in the same combat phase, making them highly effective in battle.

Understanding Double Strike

Double strike is a powerful ability that can significantly impact the outcome of a battle. To fully understand how double strike works, it’s essential to consider the following factors and address common questions that players may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does damage work with double strike? Double strike makes your creature deal damage once as if it had first strike and then again during the regular damage step. This means that when hitting either a creature, a player, or a planeswalker, they’re dealt damage equal to the creature’s power twice.
2. Does Double Strike Hit a Player Twice? Yes, double strike makes your creature deal damage twice, once during the first strike damage step and again during the regular damage step.
3. Does double strike affect combat damage triggers? It does deal combat damage twice, and you would draw two cards, unless the ability included a clause that said it only triggers once each turn.
4. Is double strike two sources of damage? Generally, a creature with double strike assigns and deals combat damage in two different combat damage steps in the same combat phase.
5. What is the difference between double strike and Deathtouch? Creatures with deathtouch deal damage during the regular combat damage step, whereas creatures with double strike deal damage twice, during both the first strike and regular damage steps.
6. What wins indestructible vs Deathtouch? Indestructible creatures also ignore deathtouch, as they cannot be destroyed, making them immune to deathtouch effects.
7. Is double strike better than first strike? Double strike is a variation on first strike that allows creatures to deal damage during both the first strike and regular combat steps, making it more powerful.
8. What is the double strike rule? Double strike is an evergreen keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase.
9. Does Double Strike give 2 poison counters? If you have a 1/1 creature with Double Strike and Infect unblocked, your opponent would get 1 poison counter in the first strike damage step and 1 poison counter in the regular damage step, for a total of 2 poison counters.
10. Does double strike work during fight? Double strike works with fight, as neither first strike nor double strike affects how fighting works.
11. How does double strike work against multiple blockers? The creature with double strike assigns its damage, and it has to assign at least lethal damage to the first creature blocking it in the order, with any remaining damage divided among the blocking creatures.
12. Does first strike do double damage? No, first strike doesn’t deal double damage; it only allows the creature to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike.
13. Does double strike work with trample? Yes, trample works well with double strike, as creatures with double strike deal damage during both the first strike and regular damage steps.
14. Do swords trigger twice with double strike? Yes, if you have a creature with double strike and a sword equipped, the sword’s ability will trigger twice, once during each combat damage step.
15. Is Double Strike only attacking? No, double strike means the creature deals both first strike and normal combat damage, but it only “attacks” once, and “deals damage” twice.

By understanding how double strike works and addressing these common questions, players can harness the power of this ability to gain a strategic advantage in battle. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, mastering double strike can help you take your gameplay to the next level.