Trample in the Arena: Does Trample Work When Fighting in MTG?
The short answer is no, trample does not work when creatures are fighting. Trample is a static ability that specifically modifies how an attacking creature assigns combat damage. Fighting, on the other hand, is a separate game mechanic distinct from combat. Trample only modifies the rules for assigning damage during the combat damage step of the combat phase.
To understand why, let’s delve into the nuances of trample and fighting, and how they interact (or rather, don’t) in the intricate world of Magic: The Gathering. This article will explain the distinction with depth and precision, and address the common misconceptions surrounding these mechanics.
Understanding Trample: The Path of Destruction
Trample Explained
Trample is a powerful ability that allows an attacking creature to deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it is attacking, even if it is blocked. Think of it as a rampaging beast that can smash through defenses to strike the heart of the enemy.
The official rule, 702.19a, states that trample modifies the rules for assigning an attacking creature’s combat damage. This means that the creature with trample must assign lethal damage to each creature blocking it before it can assign any remaining damage to the defending player or planeswalker. “Lethal damage” means damage equal to the blocker’s toughness. If there are multiple blockers, the attacker assigns damage in the order it chooses the blockers.
However, this ability is exclusive to the combat phase and only applies when a creature is attacking and is blocked.
The Mechanics of Fighting: A Direct Confrontation
Defining Fight
Fighting is a distinct game mechanic where two creatures deal damage to each other simultaneously, usually triggered by a spell or ability. For example, the spell “Prey Upon” forces a creature you control to fight another target creature.
Unlike combat, fighting is not part of the combat phase. The creatures are not attacking or blocking; they are simply exchanging damage based on their power and toughness. Because trample is tied specifically to the combat damage step and how an attacker assigns damage, it does not function during a fight.
Why Trample Doesn’t Work with Fight
The key reason trample doesn’t work during a fight is that fighting is not combat. It doesn’t involve attacking or blocking. The creatures are simply dealing damage to each other as a result of a spell or ability. Since trample only modifies how an attacker assigns combat damage, it has no relevance in a fighting scenario.
Consider this: If a creature with trample fights another creature, they both deal damage equal to their power to each other simultaneously. There is no “defender” or “attacking player” in this scenario, so the concept of excess damage trampling over is simply inapplicable.
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To clarify further, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about trample and its interaction with other mechanics:
FAQ 1: Does Deathtouch Work with Fight?
Yes, deathtouch works with fight. Deathtouch means that any amount of damage a creature deals is considered lethal damage. So, if a creature with deathtouch fights another creature, it only needs to deal 1 damage to destroy the other creature (assuming that creature doesn’t have indestructible).
FAQ 2: Does Trample Go Through on Defense?
No. Trample only works for attacking creatures during the combat phase. If a creature with trample is blocking, it does not have the ability to assign excess damage to the attacking creature.
FAQ 3: Does Trample Beat Indestructible?
Yes, it does. Trample can still trample over creatures with indestructible. A creature with indestructible cannot be destroyed by damage, but it still receives damage. This means the trampling creature must assign lethal damage to the indestructible blocker (which it can because of power being assigned to the blocker), and any additional damage can be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker.
FAQ 4: Does Deathtouch Override Trample?
Not exactly. If a creature with trample attacks a creature with deathtouch, the attacking creature with trample only needs to assign 1 damage to the creature with deathtouch (because of deathtouch). The remaining damage can then be assigned to the defending player.
FAQ 5: Do Shield Counters Stop Trample?
No, shield counters don’t stop trample. Shield counters prevent the creature from being destroyed the first time it would be destroyed that turn. The attacker still has to assign lethal damage to the blocker with the shield counter before the remaining damage can be assigned to the player or planeswalker being attacked.
FAQ 6: Does Trample Work with Double Strike?
Yes, trample works very effectively with double strike. If a creature has both double strike and trample, it deals damage twice. During the first strike combat damage step, it assigns lethal damage to the blockers and any excess damage to the defending player. It repeats the process during the regular combat damage step.
FAQ 7: Can You Sacrifice a Blocking Creature with Trample?
If you sacrifice a blocking creature with trample before combat damage is dealt, the attacking creature remains blocked. If the attacking creature has trample, it can assign all its damage to the defending player since the blocker is no longer present to receive any damage.
FAQ 8: Does Trample Happen If the Creature Dies?
If an attacking creature with trample dies before it can assign combat damage, then trample will not come into effect. However, if the creature dies after dealing combat damage, the trample effect has already taken place, and the defending player will have taken the excess damage.
FAQ 9: Does Indestructible Prevent Deathtouch?
Yes, indestructible creatures ignore deathtouch when determining if the creature should be destroyed. Since indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed, they are immune to the effects of deathtouch.
FAQ 10: What is the Deathtouch Rule in Trample?
With deathtouch and trample, you only need to assign 1 damage from the attacking creature to each blocking creature. This is because deathtouch makes any amount of damage lethal. The rest of the damage can then trample through to the defending player.
FAQ 11: Does First Strike Deathtouch Negate Trample?
The only way deathtouch would “prevent” trample is if the creature with deathtouch had first strike or double strike, allowing it to deal damage and destroy the trampling creature before the trampling creature could assign damage.
FAQ 12: How Does Deathtouch Trample Work Against Indestructible?
Any amount of damage from a creature with deathtouch is lethal. Indestructible simply prevents a creature from being destroyed when it is dealt damage. If a creature with deathtouch and trample attacks a creature with indestructible, it only needs to assign 1 damage, and the rest can be assigned to the player, or planeswalker being attacked.
FAQ 13: Is Trample Non-Combat Damage?
No, trample does not deal non-combat damage. Trample modifies how combat damage is assigned by an attacking creature. It allows excess combat damage to be dealt to the defending player or planeswalker, but the damage itself is still combat damage.
FAQ 14: Does Color Protection Stop Trample?
Yes, protection from a color stops damage of that color from being dealt to the protected permanent. It also prevents the protected permanent from being targeted, damaged, enchanted, or blocked by sources of that color. In the context of trample, the attacker would only have to assign enough damage equal to the creature with protections toughness, the rest will trample through.
FAQ 15: Can Trample Work With Lifelink?
Yes! Any combat damage that a creature with both trample and lifelink deals, whether to blockers or the defending player, will cause you to gain that much life. The synergy is simple but effective: You smash through blockers and gain life from the damage dealt.
Conclusion
While trample is a powerful ability, it’s important to remember its limitations. It only works during the combat phase when a creature is attacking and blocked. In scenarios like fighting, where creatures simply exchange damage due to a spell or ability, trample has no effect. By understanding these nuances, you can make better strategic decisions and effectively leverage trample in your Magic: The Gathering games.
For more information on game rules and mechanics, consider exploring resources such as the Games Learning Society website or the official Magic: The Gathering rulebook at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.