Can You Attack Multiple Opponents in MTG? A Comprehensive Guide
Absolutely! In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), you can attack multiple opponents during your attack phase. The fundamental rules allow a player to declare which creatures are attacking, and then designate which player or planeswalker each creature is attacking individually. This opens up a world of strategic possibilities, especially in multiplayer formats like Commander. Let’s delve into the intricacies of attacking multiple opponents and answer some common questions.
Understanding the Attack Phase
The attack phase is a crucial part of each player’s turn. Here’s a breakdown:
- Beginning of Combat: A chance for players to cast spells and activate abilities.
- Declare Attackers: The active player chooses which creatures will attack and which opponent or planeswalker they are attacking. You declare all attackers simultaneously.
- Declare Blockers: The defending player(s) choose which creatures will block the attacking creatures.
- Combat Damage: Damage is assigned and dealt by both attacking and blocking creatures.
- End of Combat: Another opportunity for spells and abilities before moving to the next phase.
The Strategic Advantage of Multiple Attacks
Attacking multiple opponents can provide significant advantages:
- Dividing Resources: Forcing opponents to split their blocking resources.
- Political Gameplay: In Commander, deciding who to attack can shape alliances and rivalries.
- Weakening Defenses: Focusing attacks on opponents with fewer blockers.
- Commander Damage: Slowly accumulating commander damage against multiple opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 FAQs to help you understand the nuances of attacking in MTG:
1. How Many Creatures Can Attack at Once?
There is no limit to the number of creatures you can attack with, as long as you have the mana to cast them and they don’t have any restrictions preventing them from attacking, such as “Defender.”
2. Can I Attack with Two Creatures in Magic?
Yes! If you want to declare attackers, you must declare them all at once during the declare attackers step. You can choose to attack a single player, multiple players, or planeswalkers controlled by those players.
3. Can You Attack More Than One Opponent in Commander?
Yes, you can! Commander has no special restrictions on attacking. You can spread your attacks across different opponents to weaken their defenses or pursue strategic alliances.
4. What Happens if an Effect Says, “No More Than One Creature Can Attack Each Turn”?
An effect stating “No more than one creature can attack each turn” severely limits your options. The only legal attack is for just the creature that “attacks if able” to attack. It’s illegal to attack with the other creature, attack with both, or attack with neither. You must adhere to this restriction.
5. Can You Block with Multiple Creatures?
Yes, you can! For each attacking creature, you can choose one or more of your creatures to block it.
6. How Does Attacking Work in Magic?
An attacking creature that is not blocked assigns combat damage to its target, typically the defending player, but it could also be a planeswalker or Battle. A blocking creature assigns combat damage among the attacking creatures it blocks, which is one creature except in the case of certain abilities. The declare attackers and blockers phase determine where the damage will go.
7. Can You Split Attacks in Magic?
Yes, absolutely! When you enter the declare attackers step on your turn, you choose which creatures are attacking, and then which players or planeswalkers each creature is attacking. Strategic splitting is a common tactic.
8. Does Commander Damage Stack from Multiple Players?
No, it doesn’t. Commander damage is specific to each Commander/Player pairing, not combined across all Commanders. A player can lose if he or she is dealt 21 points of combat damage by the same commander.
9. Can an Opponent Steal Your Commander?
Yes, you can take control of someone else’s commander. The rule about returning the commander to the Command Zone reads (emphasis mine): 903.9. If a commander would be exiled from anywhere or put into its owner’s hand, graveyard, or library from anywhere, its owner may put it into the command zone instead. This opens up the possibility of using their commander against them.
10. How Does Commander Damage Work with Multiple Players?
Commander Damage is specific to each Commander/Player pairing, not combined across all Commander. A player can lose if he or she is dealt 21 points of combat damage by his or her own Commander (ie: under someone else’s control).
11. What are the Rules for Attacking and Blocking in Magic?
After your opponent declares their attackers you get the chance to “block” some of them with your untapped creatures. For each attacking creature you can choose one or more of your creatures to block it. A creature can’t block more than one attacking creature at a time outside of some very particular circumstances.
12. Can You Triple Block in Magic?
Yes, your opponent can double (or triple, or quadruple, or . . .) block to ensure your attacking creature goes down. This is a common defensive tactic.
13. Can 2 Creatures Block 1 Attacker?
Yes, the base rules of the game allow for that. You don’t need to have any extra abilities or effects going on. If an attacking creature gets blocked by multiple blocking creatures, then the attacking player has to declare a damage assignment order for them, i.e. creature A is first, creature B is second, and so on. The attacking player decides how the damage will be distributed among the blockers.
14. Can a 0/1 Creature Attack in Magic The Gathering?
Yes, you can attack with a 0 power creature! Defender is the keyword that doesn’t allow a creature to attack. As long as there’s no keyword like that you can attack.
15. Can Your Commander Do Commander Damage to Yourself?
Yes, the way the rule is worded, a player who takes 21 or more points of combat damage from a single commander loses the game. This includes their own commander should it be stolen and used against them. Remember it has to be 21 damage from a single commander, not a cumulative total. It has to be 21 damage from a single commander, not a cumulative total.
Mastering Combat: Advanced Strategies
Beyond the basic rules, mastering combat involves understanding a variety of keywords and abilities that can significantly influence the outcome:
- First Strike/Double Strike: Creatures with these abilities deal combat damage earlier than normal creatures, or twice in the case of double strike.
- Deathtouch: Any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch is enough to destroy a creature.
- Lifelink: Dealing combat damage with lifelink also gains you that much life.
- Trample: If a creature with trample deals more combat damage than is needed to destroy the blocking creature(s), the remaining damage is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker.
- Indestructible: Creatures that can’t be destroyed by damage.
These are just a few examples. The complexity of MTG’s combat system is one of the reasons why the game is so strategically deep and engaging.
The Art of Deception and Bluffing
Beyond the mechanical aspects, combat in MTG is often a game of psychology. Bluffing about your intentions, misdirecting your opponents, and creating opportunities for them to make mistakes are crucial skills.
Understanding the Importance of Politics
Attacking in multiplayer formats, especially Commander, is rarely a purely tactical decision. Political considerations are paramount. Who do you want to weaken? Who do you want to ally with? Who poses the greatest long-term threat? Carefully consider these factors before committing to an attack.
Leveraging Resources for Learning
Understanding the nuances of attacking and blocking, along with all the other rules of Magic, can be challenging! There are many resources you can utilize for learning about the game. One example is the Games Learning Society. Check out their website at GamesLearningSociety.org. They have information on various games that can be used for learning and education.
Conclusion
Attacking multiple opponents in MTG is not only possible but also a strategically rich and rewarding aspect of the game. By understanding the rules, utilizing keywords and abilities effectively, and mastering the art of deception and politics, you can significantly increase your chances of victory. So go forth, declare your attackers wisely, and conquer the battlefield!