Unleashing the Fury: Understanding Double Strike in Magic: The Gathering
Yes, double strike does indeed deal damage twice in Magic: The Gathering. A creature with double strike essentially participates in two combat damage steps: the first combat damage step (alongside creatures with first strike) and the normal combat damage step (alongside creatures without first strike). This means it gets two opportunities to deal damage, making it a powerful offensive ability. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this keyword with some frequently asked questions.
The Double Strike Deep Dive: Your FAQ Guide
Here’s everything you need to know about double strike in Magic: The Gathering.
What is Double Strike, Exactly?
Double strike is an evergreen keyword ability found on creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Evergreen abilities are fundamental and frequently used across many sets. Double strike allows a creature to deal combat damage in both the first combat damage step and the regular combat damage step.
Does Double Strike Deal Damage Twice to Players?
Absolutely. If a creature with double strike attacks a player and isn’t blocked, it will deal combat damage to that player twice: once in the first combat damage step and again in the regular combat damage step. This can lead to swift and decisive victories.
Can Double Strike Trigger Effects Twice?
Yes, it can. If an ability triggers “on dealing combat damage,” and a creature with double strike deals combat damage, that ability will trigger twice – once for each combat damage step. However, abilities that trigger only “once each turn” or “the first time each turn” will only trigger once, even if the creature has double strike. Declaring a creature as an attacker, however, only happens once, regardless of double strike.
What if my Creature with Double Strike is Blocked?
Even if blocked, a creature with double strike will still deal damage in both combat damage steps. If the blocking creature survives the first combat damage step, it will take damage again in the normal combat damage step. If it dies in the first combat damage step, the attacking creature remains blocked (unless it has trample).
Does Double Strike Work with Trample?
This is where things get really interesting. Trample allows excess damage to “trample over” to the defending player if the attacking creature deals more damage than is needed to destroy the blocking creatures. With double strike and trample, the creature will deal damage in the first strike damage step, and any excess damage will trample over. Then, in the regular combat damage step, it deals damage again, and any further excess damage will trample over again. This can lead to significant damage to the opponent.
What’s the Difference Between First Strike and Double Strike?
First strike allows a creature to deal combat damage only in the first combat damage step. If a creature with first strike destroys a creature without first strike or double strike in the first combat damage step, the defending creature won’t deal any damage back. Double strike combines the benefits of first strike with a second opportunity to deal damage in the regular combat damage step, essentially dealing damage twice in combat.
Does Double Strike Beat Deathtouch?
It depends on the situation. 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 won’t deal damage back. However, if the deathtouch creature blocks a creature with double strike, the double strike creature will deal damage, but the deathtouch damage will still apply.
How Does Double Strike Work with Multiple Blockers?
When a creature with double strike is blocked by multiple creatures, it must assign at least lethal damage to the first creature in the order. Any remaining damage can be distributed among the other blocking creatures. This assignment is done separately for each combat damage step. This means a 4/4 double strike creature could potentially kill two 2/2 blockers across the two combat damage steps.
Does Double Strike Affect Combat Damage Triggers?
Yes, as mentioned earlier, if an ability triggers upon dealing combat damage, double strike will trigger that ability twice. However, be mindful of abilities that limit triggers to “once per turn” or similar restrictions.
Does Double Strike Work During Fight?
No. First strike and double strike do not affect fight spells, like “Prey Upon”. Fight spells cause creatures to deal damage simultaneously, regardless of whether they have first strike or double strike. These abilities only modify combat.
Does Double Strike Trigger Annihilator Twice?
No, annihilator is triggered when a creature is declared as an attacker, not when it deals combat damage. Therefore, double strike has no effect on the number of times annihilator triggers. It triggers once when the Eldrazi with Annihilator attacks.
Do Swords Trigger Twice with Double Strike? (e.g., Sword of War and Peace)
Yes, if a creature equipped with a “Sword of X and Y” and double strike deals combat damage to a player, the Sword’s ability will trigger twice. This is because the creature deals combat damage twice during the combat phase.
Does Indestructible Stop Deathtouch When a Double Strike Creature is Involved?
Indestructible creatures ignore deathtouch’s destruction effect. An indestructible creature won’t be destroyed by damage from a creature with deathtouch, regardless of whether double strike is involved. The indestructible creature will still take the damage, but it won’t be destroyed.
Can You Block Double Strike?
Yes, you can block a creature with double strike. However, even if the blocking creature dies in the first combat damage step, the attacking creature remains blocked. It will not be able to attack the player directly unless it also has trample, in which case the excess damage will trample over.
How Does Double Strike Work with Menace?
Menace requires a creature to be blocked by two or more creatures. Double strike doesn’t change this requirement. If a creature with menace and double strike is blocked by two or more creatures, it will assign its damage as normal in both combat damage steps.
Conclusion: Mastering Double Strike
Double strike is a potent ability that can drastically alter the course of a game. Understanding its interactions with other abilities and combat mechanics is crucial for maximizing its potential. By carefully considering these FAQs, you’ll be well-equipped to leverage double strike to your advantage and dominate the battlefield. Explore the strategic depth of games and learning further at the Games Learning Society, where research and innovation intersect at GamesLearningSociety.org.