Deathtouch vs. Double Strike: A Deadly Dance in Magic: The Gathering
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Yes, deathtouch works against double strike, but the interaction is nuanced and depends on the specific combat scenario. Deathtouch ensures that any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch to another creature is considered lethal. Double strike allows a creature to deal combat damage twice: once during the first strike combat damage step, and again during the regular combat damage step. The key to understanding how these abilities interact lies in the order in which damage is dealt and whether the creature with double strike can eliminate the deathtouch creature before it deals its damage. Let’s delve into the specifics.
If a creature with double strike blocks a creature with deathtouch, the double strike creature deals damage first. If that damage is sufficient to destroy the deathtouch creature, the deathtouch creature will not deal any damage in the regular combat damage step. Conversely, if the deathtouch creature survives the first strike damage, it will deal its lethal damage in the regular combat damage step, potentially destroying the double strike creature. The outcome hinges on damage values, toughness, and other relevant abilities. Let’s examine a scenario:
A 3/3 creature with double strike is blocked by a 1/4 creature with deathtouch.
- First Strike Damage Step: The 3/3 double strike creature deals 3 damage to the 1/4 deathtouch creature. The deathtouch creature survives because it has 4 toughness.
- Regular Combat Damage Step: The 1/4 deathtouch creature deals 1 damage (which is lethal due to deathtouch) to the 3/3 double strike creature. The 3/3 double strike creature also deals another 3 damage to the 1/4 deathtouch creature, but it is already considered to have dealt lethal damage, thus destroying each other in combat.
Therefore, in this scenario, both creatures die.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Deathtouch and Double Strike
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the interaction between deathtouch and double strike, and to further illuminate the intricacies of deathtouch with other keywords:
1. Does Deathtouch Kill Indestructible Creatures?
No, deathtouch cannot kill indestructible creatures. Indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed by damage, regardless of the source. So, a creature with deathtouch dealing damage to an indestructible creature will not result in the indestructible creature’s destruction.
2. Can a First Strike Creature Block a Deathtouch Creature Effectively?
Yes, a creature with first strike can effectively block a deathtouch creature if it can deal enough damage to destroy the deathtouch creature during the first strike combat damage step. This prevents the deathtouch creature from dealing any damage in the regular combat damage step.
3. If My Creature Has Protection From a Color, Does It Protect Against Deathtouch from a Creature of That Color?
Yes, protection prevents damage from sources of the specified quality. So, if a creature has protection from black, it cannot be damaged by a black creature with deathtouch, and thus, deathtouch will not be effective. If all the damage from a source is prevented, the creature is unaffected by Deathtouch.
4. Does Hexproof Stop Deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not stop deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. Deathtouch is a static ability that modifies the effect of damage; it doesn’t target.
5. Does Deathtouch Only Apply to Combat Damage?
Deathtouch primarily influences combat damage, but it also applies to any instance where a source deals damage to a creature, such as with fight spells or triggered abilities that deal damage. Deathtouch applies to any instance of damage dealt by that creature to another creature.
6. How Does Deathtouch Interact with Trample?
Deathtouch enhances trample by ensuring that only one point of damage needs to be assigned to the blocking creature for it to be considered lethal. The remaining damage can then be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker.
7. Does Deathtouch Kill a Commander?
No, deathtouch does not inherently “kill” a commander in the Commander format. When a commander would be destroyed, its owner can choose to have it go to the command zone instead. Deathtouch can still destroy a commander, but the player has the option to put it back in the command zone. This is important to note as it doesn’t directly “kill” the commander like it would a regular creature, but rather triggers a replacement effect.
8. Does Deathtouch Beat a Creature with a Shield Counter?
A creature with a shield counter is protected from destruction once. If a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a creature with a shield counter, the shield counter is removed, and the damage is prevented. However, subsequent damage from a source with deathtouch will destroy the creature, assuming it doesn’t gain another shield counter.
9. What Card Gives All Creatures Deathtouch?
Several cards can grant deathtouch to creatures, including Venom Connoisseur. Its ability reads: “Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, Venom Connoisseur gains deathtouch until end of turn. If this is the second time this ability has resolved this turn, all creatures you control gain deathtouch until end of turn.”
10. Does Hexproof Protect From Board Wipes with Deathtouch?
Hexproof only protects against spells or abilities that target a creature. Board wipes that do not target, such as “destroy all creatures”, will still affect creatures with hexproof if the effect involves damage (and a creature with Deathtouch) or destruction. For example, if a board wipe gives all creatures -X/-X until end of turn, then hexproof will not prevent this from affecting the creature.
11. Why Would a Tapped Creature Need Deathtouch?
Deathtouch is useful on a tapped creature because other tapped creatures you control have deathtouch. This makes it difficult for opponents to block your attackers with larger creatures, because if the blocking creature is tapped, any attacker also gains deathtouch, meaning any damage dealt by the attacking creature is considered lethal damage.
12. Does Deathtouch Work on Planeswalkers?
Deathtouch, by itself, does not directly affect planeswalkers. It only causes damage dealt to creatures to be considered lethal. However, some cards like Vraska, Swarm’s Eminence change the rules to allow deathtouch to affect planeswalkers.
13. Does Double Strike Count When Defending?
Double strike functions the same when defending as it does when attacking. The creature deals damage in both the first strike combat damage step and the regular combat damage step. If the defending creature with double strike can deal lethal damage to an attacking deathtouch creature in the first strike combat damage step, the deathtouch creature will not deal damage.
14. Does Double Strike Work During a “Fight”?
Yes, double strike functions during a “fight”. A creature with double strike will deal its damage twice during the fight. All these two abilities do is give a combat phase two combat damage steps instead of one, and restrict which creatures can assign combat damage during those steps (C.R.
15. Can You Give a Creature Double Strike Twice?
No, multiple instances of double strike on the same creature are redundant. A creature with double strike already deals damage in both the first strike and regular combat damage steps, so adding another instance of double strike does not change its functionality. For most purposes, a creature having double strike and first strike is the same as it having only double strike. 502.28e Multiple instances of double strike on the same creature are redundant.
Understanding the nuances of deathtouch and its interactions with other abilities like double strike, first strike, indestructible, hexproof, trample, and protection, is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering. These interactions can significantly influence combat outcomes and strategic decision-making. Dive deeper into the complexities of game design and the art of learning through play at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.