First Strike vs. Deathtouch: A Clash of Abilities in MTG

Absolutely, first strike can “survive” deathtouch, and it can do so quite decisively. A creature with first strike essentially gets the jump on combat. If a creature with first strike battles a creature with deathtouch, the first strike creature deals its damage first. If that damage is enough to destroy the deathtouch creature (and it isn’t indestructible, for example), the deathtouch creature never gets a chance to deal its damage back. The first strike creature walks away victorious, having effectively “survived” the encounter.

Understanding the Mechanics

To truly understand this interaction, we need to dissect the individual abilities and how they interact within the framework of the MTG combat system.

First Strike: The Early Bird

First strike is a static ability that modifies the rules for the combat damage step. Creatures with first strike deal combat damage before creatures without it. This means there’s an initial combat damage step specifically for creatures with first strike and double strike (we’ll ignore double strike for now, focusing on the first strike and deathtouch interaction).

Imagine two creatures facing each other: a Knight with first strike and a Cobra with deathtouch. During combat, the Knight deals damage first. If the Knight’s power is high enough to reduce the Cobra’s toughness to zero, the Cobra is destroyed before it gets a chance to deal its deathtouch damage.

Deathtouch: One Touch, You’re Out

Deathtouch is another static ability that changes how damage is interpreted. Any amount of damage dealt by a source with deathtouch to a creature is considered lethal damage. It doesn’t matter if the creature only deals 1 damage; if it has deathtouch, that 1 damage is enough to destroy the creature it hits (again, barring indestructible or other protective abilities).

Deathtouch is potent because it bypasses the need for high power. A tiny Spider with deathtouch can take down a massive Dragon, provided it can connect.

The Clash: When Speed Meets Lethality

The key takeaway is the timing. Because first strike allows a creature to deal damage first, it creates an opportunity to eliminate the deathtouch creature before it can retaliate. The effectiveness of first strike against deathtouch hinges on the power of the first strike creature being sufficient to destroy the deathtouch creature in that initial damage step.

If the first strike creature doesn’t deal enough damage to destroy the deathtouch creature, then the deathtouch creature will deal its damage in the normal combat damage step, and the first strike creature will be destroyed.

Situational Awareness

While first strike is a strong counter to deathtouch, several factors can influence the outcome.

• Indestructible: If the deathtouch creature has indestructible, it cannot be destroyed by damage, including damage from a source with first strike. The deathtouch creature will survive the first strike damage and then deal its lethal damage in the regular combat damage step.

• High Toughness: If the deathtouch creature has very high toughness, the first strike creature might not have enough power to deal lethal damage in the first strike damage step.

• Other Protective Abilities: Abilities like hexproof or shroud won’t prevent deathtouch from destroying a creature, but other effects that prevent damage or grant indestructible will.

First Strike & Deathtouch: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the interaction between first strike and deathtouch:

1. Does first strike work with Deathtouch?

Yes, but not in the way you might think. First strike doesn’t enhance deathtouch. Instead, it provides a window of opportunity to destroy a deathtouch creature before it can deal its own damage.

2. Does indestructible survive Deathtouch?

Yes. Indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed by lethal damage, including damage from a source with deathtouch.

3. What happens if a creature dies to first strike?

If a creature dies during the first strike damage step, it doesn’t deal combat damage in the regular combat damage step.

4. Does Deathtouch kill Deathtouch?

No. If two creatures with deathtouch deal damage to each other, they both die, unless one has indestructible or another similar ability. Deathtouch doesn’t cancel itself out but doesn’t stop the damage from being considered lethal.

5. What beats Deathtouch?

Several things beat deathtouch: first strike, indestructible, preventing the damage, removing the creature before combat, evasion abilities like flying or “can’t be blocked”.

6. Does Deathtouch kill immediately?

Deathtouch doesn’t “immediately” kill in the sense that there isn’t a triggered ability that resolves. The damage is still dealt during the combat damage step, but any amount of damage is considered lethal.

7. What is the rule of first strike?

First strike creates an additional combat damage step at the start of combat specifically for creatures with first strike and double strike.

8. How does First Strike Deathtouch work with multiple blockers?

This is where it gets interesting. If a creature with first strike and deathtouch is blocked by multiple creatures, it deals its damage in the first strike damage step. The attacking player assigns damage to the blockers in an order of their choice. Because of deathtouch, only 1 damage needs to be assigned to each blocker to destroy them. Then, if there’s any remaining damage, it can be assigned to the next blocker.

9. Does Hexproof block Deathtouch?

No. Hexproof prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch doesn’t target; it simply modifies the effect of damage.

10. Does Deathtouch work with 0 damage?

No. A creature with deathtouch must deal damage for the deathtouch ability to take effect. If it has zero power, it deals no damage, and therefore nothing is destroyed.

11. Can you counter Deathtouch?

You can’t directly “counter” deathtouch as it’s a static ability. However, you can counter the creature with deathtouch, prevent the damage it would deal, or use abilities like first strike or indestructible to negate its effect.

12. Does Deathtouch deal poison damage?

Normally, no. However, some cards specifically grant a deathtouch creature the ability to deal poison counters when it deals combat damage to a player.

13. Does first strike Deathtouch negate trample?

The only way in which deathtouch would “prevent” trample is if the first strike creature had enough damage to kill the blocker, such that it won’t be present during the normal combat damage step where trample would come into play.

14. Does prevent damage prevent Deathtouch?

Yes. If all damage is prevented, the deathtouch ability doesn’t come into play because no damage is actually dealt.

15. What wins indestructible vs Deathtouch?

Indestructible wins. Indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed by lethal damage from deathtouch or anything else.

The Bigger Picture

Understanding these interactions is crucial for strategic gameplay in MTG. Knowing how abilities like first strike and deathtouch interact allows you to make informed decisions during combat, build effective decks, and anticipate your opponent’s moves. Playing and mastering strategic games like Magic: The Gathering improves critical thinking, enhances problem-solving skills, and promotes strategic decision-making. To explore how games can positively impact learning and development, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Understanding the intricate rules of the game is akin to grasping the principles of strategic thinking itself.