Double Strike: Is it Just First Strike in Disguise?

Yes, double strike acts like first strike, but it’s crucial to understand that double strike is not the same as first strike. A creature with double strike essentially deals damage as if it had first strike and then again during the regular combat damage step. This means they participate in the first combat damage step alongside creatures that actually have first strike, but they get a second chance to deal damage in the regular combat damage step as well. It’s a powerful ability that can dramatically change the outcome of combat.

Unpacking Double Strike: Beyond the Basics

The beauty of double strike lies in its strategic depth. It’s not just about dealing double damage; it’s about controlling the flow of combat, eliminating threats early, and maximizing your creature’s impact. Imagine your opponent blocks your 4/4 double strike creature with a 3/3 creature. In the first combat damage step, your creature deals 4 damage, destroying the blocker. Then, in the regular combat damage step, your creature deals another 4 damage to your opponent (assuming it wasn’t blocked by another creature in the meantime or doesn’t have trample). This is a simplified scenario, but it highlights the potential of double strike.

Double Strike vs. First Strike: A Critical Comparison

While double strike mimics first strike’s initial combat damage step, the key difference is the second damage dealing opportunity. A creature with first strike only deals damage once, in the first combat damage step. A creature with double strike deals damage twice, once in each combat damage step. This distinction is crucial for understanding how double strike interacts with other abilities and effects. For example, if a creature has an ability that triggers when it deals combat damage, that ability will trigger twice when a double strike creature deals damage.

Strategic Implications of Double Strike

Understanding the intricacies of double strike is paramount for efficient gameplay. Consider these points:

• Creature Removal: Double strike is excellent for removing blockers before they can deal damage back. This is particularly useful against creatures with abilities that trigger upon taking damage or creatures that can regenerate.
• Damage Output: The sheer amount of damage a creature with double strike can inflict makes it a potent offensive threat. Combine it with pump spells or equipment to significantly increase its damage output.
• Synergy with Combat Tricks: Spells that grant temporary power boosts or abilities like trample become even more powerful when combined with double strike. Trample allows excess damage to be dealt to the defending player or planeswalker, and double strike doubles the opportunity to over run the defending player if the first blocker is removed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Double Strike

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how double strike works:

FAQ 1: Does Double Strike activate combat damage triggers twice?

Yes. Creatures with double strike deal combat damage twice, triggering abilities that activate on combat damage twice as well. This can be a huge advantage if you have abilities that trigger on dealing damage to a player, such as drawing cards or gaining life.

FAQ 2: Does Double Strike beat a creature with Deathtouch?

It depends. If a creature with double strike blocks a creature with deathtouch, the double strike creature will deal damage first. If that damage is enough to destroy the deathtouch creature, the deathtouch creature will not deal combat damage back. If the double strike creature is blocked by multiple creatures each with deathtouch, then the double strike creature will be destroyed.

FAQ 3: How does Double Strike work against one blocker?

The creature with double strike will deal damage during the first strike combat damage step. If that damage is sufficient to destroy the blocker, it will deal the remaining damage during the regular combat damage step to the player or planeswalker being attacked (assuming it has trample and enough damage to assign beyond the blockers toughness).

FAQ 4: Can you block a creature with Double Strike?

Yes, you can block a creature with double strike. The blocking creature will take damage during the first strike combat damage step, and then again during the regular combat damage step.

FAQ 5: Does Double Strike hit the player directly in both combat damage steps if the blocker is removed?

Not necessarily. If the double strike creature has trample, any excess damage beyond what’s needed to destroy the blocker is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker. If the double strike creature does not have trample, then the defending player will not take damage during the first strike combat damage step. In the regular combat damage step, if the double strike creature is unblocked then the defending player will take damage.

FAQ 6: Is Double Strike only effective when attacking?

No. Double strike functions both when attacking and when blocking. If your creature with double strike is blocking, it will deal damage during both combat damage steps as well.

FAQ 7: Does giving a creature Double Strike twice do anything?

No. Multiple instances of double strike are redundant. A creature either has double strike or it doesn’t. There’s no additional benefit to having more than one instance of the ability.

FAQ 8: Does Double Strike work with Menace?

Menace doesn’t directly interact with double strike. Menace requires a creature to be blocked by two or more creatures. Double strike just determines when damage is dealt.

FAQ 9: How does Double Strike interact with Indestructible?

A creature with double strike can still deal damage to an indestructible creature. While the indestructible creature won’t be destroyed by the damage, it will still take the damage twice, which can be relevant if the indestructible creature has an ability that triggers upon taking damage.

FAQ 10: Can Double Strike give a creature two poison counters if it has Infect?

Yes. If a creature with double strike and infect is unblocked, it will deal damage twice, resulting in two poison counters being placed on the defending player. One during the first strike combat damage step, and one during the regular combat damage step.

FAQ 11: Does Double Strike cancel First Strike?

No. Double strike does not cancel first strike. A creature with double strike essentially has first strike for the first combat damage step. It deals damage as if it had first strike, and then it deals damage again during the regular combat damage step.

FAQ 12: How does Double Strike work with Fight effects?

Fight effects aren’t affected by first strike or double strike. Creatures involved in a fight deal damage simultaneously unless another effect alters the timing.

FAQ 13: Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch from a Double Strike creature?

Hexproof prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities an opponent controls. Deathtouch doesn’t target, so hexproof doesn’t prevent a double strike creature with deathtouch from destroying a creature with hexproof.

FAQ 14: Does Double Strike work if my creature is tapped?

The “tapped” status does not affect double strike. The double strike will still activate, so long as the creature is an attacking or blocking creature.

FAQ 15: How does double strike affect combat math?

The essence of double strike is that it introduces an additional damage-dealing event within combat. This effectively doubles the potential damage output of the creature possessing this ability.

The Everlasting Appeal of Double Strike

Double strike is a fascinating ability that combines strategic thinking with the thrill of combat. Its ability to dramatically alter combat outcomes makes it a powerful tool in any player’s arsenal. Understanding its nuances and interactions with other abilities is essential for mastering the game. Dive deeper into the strategies and mechanics of games by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.