Does Double Strike Trigger Abilities Twice?

The answer to the question Does double strike trigger abilities twice? is no, as a creature with double strike only attacks once, but deals combat damage twice, once during the first combat damage step and again during the second combat damage step. The double strike ability allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase, but this does not mean that it triggers abilities that occur when a creature attacks more than once, as these abilities are triggered during the declare attackers step.

Understanding Double Strike and Its Interaction with Abilities

Double strike is an evergreen keyword ability that modifies the combat phase, allowing creatures with this ability to deal combat damage twice. To understand how double strike interacts with various abilities and keywords, it is essential to consider how these interactions work in different scenarios.

Double Strike and Annihilator

Annihilator is a triggered ability that forces the defending player to sacrifice permanents when a creature with annihilator deals combat damage. However, annihilator only triggers once, during the declare attackers step, and not during each combat damage step.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Double Strike Mean You Attack Twice?: No, the creature only attacks once, and attackers are declared after the beginning of combat, so an ability that triggers “when you attack” only occurs at that time.
2. Does Double Strike Deal Damage Twice?: Yes, double strike is an evergreen keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase — once during the first combat damage step and again during the second combat damage step.
3. Does Annihilator Trigger Twice with Double Strike?: No, annihilator will only trigger once, during the declare attackers step, when the creature is declared as an attacker.
4. Do Swords Trigger Twice with Double Strike?: Yes, because the creature will deal combat damage to the opponent two separate times, triggering the sword’s ability twice.
5. How Does Double Strike Work with Combat Damage Triggers?: A creature with double strike 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.
6. What Are First and Double Strike?: First strike and double strike are keyword abilities that modify the combat phase, with first strike allowing creatures to deal combat damage before other creatures and double strike allowing creatures to deal combat damage twice.
7. What is a Double Strike Trigger?: A double strike trigger refers to the ability of a creature with double strike to deal combat damage twice, once during the first strike combat damage step and again during the normal combat damage step.
8. How Does Double Strike Work with Multiple Blockers?: The creature with double strike assigns its damage, and it has to assign at least lethal damage to the first creature blocking it in order, with any remaining damage divided among the blocking creatures.
9. Does Double Strike Work During Fight?: Yes, double strike works with a fight, as neither first strike nor double strike affects how fighting works.
10. Does Double Strike Work with Fight Spells?: No, damage dealt while fighting is not combat damage, so abilities like first strike or double strike won’t have any effect.
11. What is the Difference Between Double Strike and Deathtouch?: Creatures with deathtouch deal damage during the regular combat damage step, while creatures with double strike deal damage twice, during the first strike damage step and the regular damage step.
12. Does Double Strike Work with Trample?: Yes, trample works well with double strike, as creatures with double strike deal damage during the first strike damage step and the regular damage step, allowing for trample damage to be dealt to the opponent.
13. Does Hexproof Stop Annihilator?: No, annihilator still works even if a player has hexproof, as the annihilator trigger doesn’t target the player but rather specifies that the defending player has to do something.
14. Is Double Strike Just Better Than First Strike?: Yes, a creature with both double strike and first strike basically just has double strike, as double strike brings extra value and damage.
15. Does Double Strike Get Past Deathtouch?: No, deathtouch makes any amount of damage dealt to a creature lethal, so a creature with double strike blocked by a creature with deathtouch will not deal additional damage during the second combat damage step.