Unveiling the Truth: Does Double Strike Cancel First Strike in Magic: The Gathering?
The short answer is no, double strike does not cancel first strike. In fact, it doesn’t even include it, despite what the reminder text might suggest. A creature with double strike essentially deals combat damage as if it had first strike, and then again as if it didn’t. This distinction is crucial for understanding how this potent ability interacts with other keywords and abilities in Magic: The Gathering. Let’s dive into the intricacies of double strike and its relationship with first strike, along with some other common combat scenarios.
Decoding Double Strike: More Than Meets the Eye
Double strike is a keyword ability that dramatically alters the combat phase. Normally, combat damage is dealt simultaneously by all attacking and blocking creatures. However, first strike introduces an initial combat damage step where only creatures with first strike or double strike deal damage. Creatures with double strike participate in both the first strike combat damage step and the regular combat damage step.
So, while a creature with double strike acts like it has first strike during the first combat damage step, it doesn’t actually possess the ability. This is an important distinction. Effects that specifically remove first strike from a creature will not affect a creature with double strike.
The reminder text on a card with double strike often reads: “This creature deals both first strike and regular combat damage.” This can be misleading because it implies that double strike includes first strike. However, the rules are clear: double strike is a distinct ability.
Understanding Combat Damage Steps
To truly grasp how double strike functions, it’s essential to understand the phases of combat. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Beginning of Combat Step
- Declare Attackers Step
- Declare Blockers Step
- Combat Damage Step (First Strike): Creatures with first strike or double strike deal combat damage.
- Combat Damage Step (Regular): Remaining creatures, including those with double strike, deal combat damage.
- End of Combat Step
A creature with double strike participates in both damage steps, effectively dealing damage twice. This can lead to devastating results, especially when combined with other abilities like trample or deathtouch.
Double Strike and Trample: A Deadly Combination
When a creature with double strike and trample attacks, it deals its damage in two separate instances. Let’s say a 3/3 creature with double strike and trample attacks and is blocked by a 2/2 creature.
- First Strike Damage Step: The attacking creature assigns 2 damage to the blocker, destroying it, and then tramples over for 1 damage to the defending player.
- Regular Damage Step: Because the blocker is no longer there, the attacking creature assigns all 3 damage to the defending player, thanks to the trample.
In total, the defending player takes 4 damage (1 from the first strike step and 3 from the regular damage step).
Double Strike and Deathtouch: A Risky Proposition
Deathtouch is a static ability that makes any amount of damage dealt by a creature lethal. However, the timing of damage matters. If you block a creature with deathtouch with a creature with first strike or double strike, your creature will deal damage during the first strike damage step before the deathtouch creature can deal damage back (in most cases).
If your first strike or double strike creature deals enough damage to destroy the creature with deathtouch in the first combat damage step, your creature will survive, since the deathtouch creature doesn’t get to deal damage.
Double Strike vs. Indestructible
An indestructible creature cannot be destroyed by damage or effects that say “destroy.” However, it can still be exiled, sacrificed, or have its toughness reduced to zero. When dealing with a creature with double strike facing an indestructible blocker, the double strike still deals damage twice, but that damage won’t destroy the indestructible creature. However, in a combat with an indestructible creature and deathtouch, indestructible prevails as the creature can’t be destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does double strike override first strike?
No, double strike does not override first strike. It is a distinct ability that allows a creature to deal damage in both combat damage steps.
2. Do multiple instances of first strike stack?
No, multiple instances of first strike on the same creature are redundant. Having one first strike is sufficient.
3. How does double strike work with lifelink?
If a creature with double strike has lifelink, you gain life equal to the damage it deals in each combat damage step.
4. Does double strike work during fight?
Yes, double strike works with Fight abilities. Though neither first strike nor double strike directly affect how fighting works, they will apply the same way as in combat.
5. Does double strike count when blocking?
Absolutely! Double strike functions both when attacking and blocking. A blocker with double strike will deal damage in both combat damage steps.
6. Can you give double strike twice?
No, giving double strike multiple times is redundant. A creature with double strike already deals damage in both combat damage steps.
7. How much commander damage is lethal if a creature has double strike?
Double strike doesn’t change the amount of combat damage needed to eliminate someone via commander damage. A player loses the game after receiving 21 or more combat damage from the same commander over the course of the game.
8. Does Double Strike double poison counters?
Yes, if a creature with double strike and infect is unblocked, it will deal damage twice, and thus inflict poison twice (once in each damage step).
9. Do you have to double block double strike?
You don’t have to, but it might be strategically advantageous. Remember that once a creature is declared as a blocker, the creature it blocks is blocked for the turn, regardless of what happens to the blocker.
10. Can you defend first strike?
Yes, you can defend against first strike. You can block with multiple creatures, use removal spells, or use creatures with higher toughness to survive the first strike damage.
11. How does double strike work against one blocker?
The creature with double strike deals damage to the blocker in the first strike damage step. If the blocker is destroyed, the creature with double strike then deals its remaining damage to the defending player in the regular combat damage step (if it has trample) or to a planeswalker being attacked.
12. Can multiple blockers block one attacker with double strike?
Yes, multiple blockers can block one attacker with double strike. The attacking player assigns damage from each combat damage step to the blockers in the order they choose.
13. Does hexproof stop deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not stop deathtouch. Hexproof prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch doesn’t target.
14. What defines double strike?
Double strike is a keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage in both the first strike and regular combat damage steps.
15. Can you stack first strike?
No, stacking multiple instances of first strike on the same creature is redundant. It has no additional effect.
Final Thoughts
Double strike is a complex and powerful ability that can significantly impact combat in Magic: The Gathering. While it shares some similarities with first strike, it’s crucial to understand that they are distinct. Mastering the nuances of double strike, its interactions with other abilities, and the combat phases will elevate your game and give you a competitive edge. For more in-depth explorations of games and learning, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.