Does Double Strike Damage Go Through?
Double strike damage does not directly go through to the player if a creature with double strike is blocked, unless the creature has trample, which allows it to deal excess damage to the player after killing the blocker. The double strike ability enables a creature to deal combat damage twice, once during the first strike combat damage step and once during the regular combat damage step, but if the creature is blocked, the damage is assigned to the blocker first, and only excess damage can be dealt to the player if the creature has trample.
Understanding Double Strike
What is Double Strike?
Double strike is a keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase. This ability is particularly powerful because it enables a creature to deal damage during both the first strike and regular combat damage steps.
How Does Double Strike Work?
When a creature with double strike attacks, it deals damage twice: once during the first strike combat damage step, alongside other creatures with first strike, and again during the regular combat damage step, alongside creatures without first strike or double strike. If the creature is blocked, it assigns its damage to the blocker, and if the blocker is killed by the first strike damage, the creature remains blocked and does not deal damage to the player unless it has trample.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does Extra Damage Carry Over to a Player? No, if a creature with double strike deals extra damage to a blocker, that damage does not carry over to the player unless the creature has trample.
-
How Does Double Strike Damage Work? Double strike means that the creature! deals both first-strike and regular combat damage, regardless of whether it’s blocked or not. However, if blocked, it won’t deal damage to the player unless it has trample.
-
Do You Still Take Damage if You Block Double Strike? If a creature with double strike is blocked, it remains blocked even if the blocking creature dies to first strike damage. The blocker’s death does not allow the double strike creature to deal damage to the player unless it has trample.
-
Does Double Strike Work During Fight? Yes, double strike works with a fight. Neither first strike nor double strike affects how fighting works, as they only modify the combat phase.
-
Is Double Strike Better Than First Strike? Yes, a creature with double strike is generally better than one with first strike because it deals damage twice, providing more value and damage potential.
-
What Are First and Double Strike? First strike and double strike are keyword abilities that modify how creatures deal combat damage. First strike allows a creature to deal damage before regular creatures, while double strike allows a creature to deal damage twice.
-
Does Double Strike Deal Damage First? Double strike is a variation of first strike that allows creatures to deal damage during both the first strike and regular combat steps.
-
Does Double Strike Beat Deathtouch? If a creature with deathtouch is blocked by a creature with first strike or double strike, the blocker will deal damage first, potentially killing the deathtouch creature before it can deal lethal damage.
-
How Does Double Strike Work Against One Blocker? If a creature with double strike is blocked by one creature, it will deal first strike damage to the blocker. If this damage is lethal, the blocker dies, but the creature with double strike remains blocked unless it has trample.
-
How Does Double Strike Work Against Multiple Defenders? When a creature with double strike is blocked by multiple creatures, it assigns its damage in a way that maximizes the damage dealt to the blockers, with any excess damage potentially being dealt to the player if the creature has trample.
-
Can You Give Double Strike Twice? Giving double strike twice is redundant because double strike already allows a creature to deal damage as if it had first strike and then again in the regular damage step.
-
Does Double Strike Give 2 Poison Counters? Yes, if a creature with double strike and infect is unblocked, it will deal damage twice, potentially giving the opponent two poison counters.
-
Does Trample Work When Blocking? No, trample only works when a creature is attacking. It does not affect how blocking creatures assign or receive damage.
-
Does Blocking Count as Combat Damage? Yes, blocking creatures assign and receive combat damage during the combat phase.
-
What Are the Rules for Double Strike? Double strike is an evergreen keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase. It deals damage once during the first strike combat damage step and once during the regular combat damage step, with the ability to deal excess damage to the player if the creature has trample and is blocked.
In conclusion, understanding double strike and how it interacts with other abilities, such as trample and deathtouch, is crucial for mastering the nuances of Magic: The Gathering combat. Double strike is a powerful ability that can significantly impact the game’s outcome, especially when combined with other abilities or used in strategic ways to outmaneuver opponents.