Does Double Strike Beat Deathtouch? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is yes, Double Strike can beat Deathtouch in combat, but only under specific circumstances. A creature with Double Strike essentially deals combat damage twice: once during the first strike combat damage step and again during the regular combat damage step. If a creature with Double Strike attacks a creature with Deathtouch, the Double Strike creature deals its first strike damage first. If that damage is enough to destroy the Deathtouch creature, the Deathtouch creature never gets to deal damage back. However, if the Double Strike creature survives the Deathtouch creature’s damage, it will deal a second round of damage in the regular combat damage step. The interaction is heavily reliant on the power and toughness of each creature involved. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of this interaction and related scenarios.
Understanding Deathtouch and Double Strike
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to understand what these two keywords actually do.
Deathtouch: This ability means that any amount of damage a creature deals to another creature is enough to destroy it. Even a single point of damage from a creature with Deathtouch is lethal (unless the target has Indestructible or a prevention effect). Deathtouch doesn’t target.
Double Strike: This ability grants a creature the ability to deal combat damage in both the first-strike combat damage step and the normal combat damage step. Think of it as getting two chances to deal damage in combat.
How the Interaction Plays Out
Here’s a breakdown of how Double Strike interacts with Deathtouch in common combat scenarios:
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Double Strike Attacker vs. Deathtouch Blocker: If the attacker has Double Strike and attacks a creature with Deathtouch blocking it, the Double Strike attacker deals its first strike damage first.
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Scenario 1: The Double Strike attacker’s first strike damage is enough to destroy the Deathtouch blocker. In this case, the Deathtouch blocker is destroyed before it has a chance to deal damage, and the Double Strike attacker survives unharmed.
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Scenario 2: The Double Strike attacker’s first strike damage is not enough to destroy the Deathtouch blocker. The Deathtouch blocker survives and deals its damage during the first strike step. Because Deathtouch says that the amount of damage isn’t important, just that damage happened, the Double Strike creature will die.
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Deathtouch Attacker vs. Double Strike Blocker: If the attacker has Deathtouch and is blocked by a creature with Double Strike, the Double Strike blocker deals its first strike damage first.
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Scenario 1: The Double Strike blocker’s first strike damage is enough to destroy the Deathtouch attacker. The Deathtouch attacker is destroyed before it has a chance to deal damage, and the Double Strike blocker survives (and will deal combat damage again during the regular combat damage step).
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Scenario 2: The Double Strike blocker’s first strike damage is not enough to destroy the Deathtouch attacker. The Deathtouch attacker survives and deals its lethal damage during the first strike step. The Double Strike creature will also die, even though it will also deal its regular combat damage.
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Key Considerations
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Power and Toughness Matter: The outcome of these interactions depends heavily on the power of the Double Strike creature and the toughness of the Deathtouch creature (and vice versa).
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Indestructible: If the creature with Deathtouch is Indestructible, Double Strike will not be able to destroy it. The Deathtouch creature will still deal damage.
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Damage Prevention: Effects that prevent damage can negate the Deathtouch ability. If the damage is prevented, the creature will not be destroyed. Shield counters prevent this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch?
No, Hexproof does not stop Deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch is a triggered ability on the source of the damage, not a targeted effect.
2. Does Deathtouch work with 0 damage?
No, Deathtouch requires that damage be dealt. If a creature with Deathtouch has 0 power, it cannot deal damage, and thus cannot destroy a creature.
3. Does Double Strike count as First Strike?
While creatures with Double Strike deal combat damage during the First Strike combat damage step, Double Strike is not the same as First Strike. Effects that remove First Strike from a creature will not remove Double Strike.
4. Does preventing damage stop Deathtouch?
Yes, preventing damage effectively stops Deathtouch. Deathtouch requires that damage be dealt for its effect to trigger. If all damage is prevented, the creature with Deathtouch will not destroy the creature it’s dealing damage to.
5. Does Deathtouch resolve before Trample?
No, Deathtouch doesn’t resolve “before” Trample. All combat damage is dealt simultaneously. If a creature with Deathtouch and Trample deals damage to a blocker, and that damage is sufficient to destroy the blocker (thanks to Deathtouch), any remaining damage is “trampled” over to the defending player or planeswalker.
6. Does Double Strike give 2 poison counters?
Yes, Double Strike can give two poison counters if combined with Infect. If a creature with Double Strike and Infect deals combat damage to a player, that player receives one poison counter during the First Strike damage step and another during the regular combat damage step.
7. Does Double Strike count when defending?
Yes, Double Strike works when defending. A creature with Double Strike that blocks an attacking creature deals combat damage in both the first strike and regular combat damage steps.
8. Does Double Strike work during fight?
No, Double Strike does not work during a “Fight”. Fight is not combat damage, therefore First Strike and Double Strike are ignored.
9. Do shield counters block Deathtouch?
Yes, Shield counters block Deathtouch. They’re a prevention effect that negates the lethal damage from Deathtouch.
10. Does Deathtouch work during a fight?
Yes, Deathtouch does work during a Fight. While the damage dealt during a fight isn’t combat damage, Deathtouch applies to any damage dealt by the creature, not just combat damage.
11. Does Trample still go through Deathtouch?
Yes, Trample still goes through Deathtouch. If a creature with Deathtouch and Trample attacks, it only needs to assign lethal damage to the blocker to trample over the rest of the damage.
12. Why would a tapped creature need Deathtouch?
A tapped creature with Deathtouch can make blocking more dangerous. Because they can’t attack, other creatures you control might have a ‘when a creature you control is attacking and tapped, it gains Deathtouch” ability.
13. Is Double Strike only attacking?
No, Double Strike is not only for attacking. It applies whenever the creature is dealing combat damage, whether it’s attacking or blocking.
14. Can you block a creature with Double Strike?
Yes, you can block a creature with Double Strike. However, the blocking creature will take damage twice (unless the Double Strike creature is blocked by another Double Strike or First Strike creature.)
15. Is Lifelink only combat damage?
No, Lifelink is not only combat damage. Lifelink triggers whenever a creature deals damage, whether that damage is combat damage, damage from a fight effect, or direct damage from an ability.
Conclusion
Double Strike can indeed be a potent weapon against Deathtouch, provided the Double Strike creature has enough power to destroy the Deathtouch creature during the first strike damage step. Understanding the intricacies of these keyword interactions is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering and maximizing your chances of victory. For more in-depth analysis of game mechanics and strategic insights, be sure to check out resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Understanding these card interactions can add an extra layer of strategic thinking to your games.