Does Double Strike Count as Attacking Twice?

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No, double strike does not mean a creature attacks twice. A creature with double strike only attacks once during the combat phase. The crucial distinction is that attacking is a specific action taken during the declare attackers step, while dealing damage is what happens in the subsequent combat damage steps. Double strike simply allows a creature to deal combat damage twice: once in the first combat damage step alongside creatures with first strike, and again in the regular combat damage step alongside creatures with neither first strike nor double strike. This nuance is vital for understanding how double strike interacts with other abilities and triggered effects.

Understanding Double Strike in Detail

Double strike is a powerful evergreen keyword ability that significantly alters how combat unfolds in games like Magic: The Gathering. It doesn’t grant extra attacks; instead, it grants the creature the ability to deal damage in both combat damage steps. This seemingly subtle difference has far-reaching implications on how double strike interacts with various other game mechanics.

The Mechanics of Combat

To fully grasp double strike, understanding the basic phases of combat is critical:

1. Beginning of Combat Step: Certain abilities may trigger during this step.
2. Declare Attackers Step: You choose which creatures will attack. This is the “attack” action. Any abilities that trigger “when this creature attacks” trigger here.
3. Declare Blockers Step: Your opponent declares which creatures, if any, will block your attacking creatures.
4. First Combat Damage Step: Creatures with first strike and double strike deal combat damage simultaneously. If a creature with double strike deals lethal damage to a blocker in this step, the blocker is removed before the regular combat damage step.
5. Regular Combat Damage Step: All remaining attacking and blocking creatures deal combat damage simultaneously. This includes creatures with double strike dealing their second instance of combat damage.
6. End of Combat Step: Certain abilities may trigger during this step.

Double strike directly impacts steps 4 and 5, effectively splitting the combat damage step into two distinct phases. A creature with double strike participates in both.

Implications and Synergies

Because a creature with double strike deals damage twice, it synergizes incredibly well with abilities that trigger upon dealing combat damage. For example, equipment that triggers when the equipped creature deals combat damage to a player will trigger twice if equipped to a creature with double strike. Similarly, abilities that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a creature will trigger twice against a creature blocked by one with double strike.

Common Misconceptions

One common error is thinking double strike allows for two separate declarations of attackers. You declare attackers only once per combat phase. Another misconception is that a creature with both first strike and double strike somehow attacks more efficiently; in reality, a creature with both simply functions as a creature with double strike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Double Strike

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you fully understand double strike:

1. Does double strike deal damage twice? Yes, a creature with double strike deals combat damage twice per combat phase: once during the first combat damage step and again during the regular combat damage step.

2. Does double strike count as fighting? No, first strike and double strike do not affect how fighting works. Fighting is a separate game action where two creatures simultaneously deal damage to each other based on their power.

3. Do triggered abilities trigger twice with double strike? Yes, if a creature with double strike deals combat damage to a player, abilities that trigger when a creature deals combat damage to a player will generally trigger twice – once for each instance of combat damage.

4. Can you give a creature double strike twice? No. Multiple instances of double strike on the same creature are redundant. The creature simply has double strike.

5. How does double strike work against one blocker? The creature with double strike deals its first strike damage to the blocker. If that damage is lethal, the blocker dies. In the regular combat damage step, if there are no blockers, the double strike attacker will deal its regular damage to the player, which then tramples, etc.

6. Is double strike only attacking? No, double strike is not “only attacking.” It means the creature deals both first strike and normal combat damage. They only attack once, but they deal damage twice.

7. What is the difference between double strike and deathtouch? Deathtouch makes any amount of damage a creature deals lethal damage to another creature. Double strike allows a creature to deal combat damage in both combat damage steps. They interact, but they are fundamentally different.

8. Is double strike better than first strike? Yes, a creature with both double strike and first strike basically just has double strike. You want a creature to have double strike because you get the first strike damage and then another “hit.”

9. If a dragon attacks with double strike, does it attack twice or deal damage twice? It only attacks once. The Dragon gains double strike until the end of turn, enabling it to deal combat damage in both damage steps.

10. Does Double Strike get past Deathtouch? No. Deathtouch makes any amount of damage lethal. If a creature with double strike is blocked by a creature with deathtouch, the double strike creature will deal its first strike damage, and if that’s enough to kill the deathtouch creature, it will. If not, the deathtouch creature deals its damage to the double strike creature.

11. How does Lifelink work with double strike? A creature with lifelink and double strike deals damage twice, and you gain life equal to the damage dealt in each combat damage step. So, if a 2/2 with lifelink and double strike deals damage, you gain 4 life total.

12. Does trample work with double strike? Yes, trample works effectively with double strike. If a creature with trample and double strike deals its first strike damage and kills its blocker, it can then assign the remaining damage to the defending player during the regular combat damage step.

13. Do you have to double block double strike? No. Once a creature is declared as blocking, the creature it blocks is considered blocked for the entire turn, regardless of what happens to the blocker. Double blocking is simply assigning a second blocker to an attacking creature.

14. How does double strike work with combat damage triggers? If a creature has double strike and is unblocked, it will generally deal Combat Damage to the opponent twice; Once in each Combat Damage step. Thus, allowing such ability to trigger in each Combat Damage step.

15. What ARE First and Double Strike? First strike enables a creature to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike or double strike. Double strike combines the effects of first strike with the ability to deal damage again in the regular combat damage step.

Understanding double strike and its interactions with other keywords and abilities is a cornerstone of strategic gameplay. While it doesn’t equate to attacking twice, its impact on combat damage makes it a formidable ability in any arsenal. To explore more about the educational aspects of gaming and how games can be powerful learning tools, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website.