Mastering First Strike on Defense: A Comprehensive Guide to Blocking in MTG
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Blocking with a creature that has First Strike in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) gives you a significant advantage. When a creature with First Strike blocks, it deals its combat damage before creatures without First Strike. This means your blocker can potentially eliminate an attacker before it has a chance to deal any damage back, resulting in a favorable trade. If the attacking creature has First Strike or Double Strike as well, then creatures with either ability will deal damage simultaneously in the first combat damage step.
Understanding the Combat Damage Steps
To fully grasp how First Strike works on defense, it’s crucial to understand the steps involved in combat:
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Beginning of Combat Step: This is where players can cast spells and activate abilities before attackers are declared.
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Declare Attackers Step: The attacking player chooses which creatures will attack.
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Declare Blockers Step: The defending player chooses which creatures will block which attackers.
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Combat Damage Step: This is where the action happens and First Strike comes into play:
- First Combat Damage Step: Creatures with First Strike or Double Strike deal their combat damage simultaneously. If a creature with First Strike deals lethal damage to the attacker it is blocking, the attacker does not deal any damage in the next combat damage step.
- Second Combat Damage Step: Creatures without First Strike and creatures with Double Strike deal their combat damage simultaneously.
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End of Combat Step: Spells and abilities can be cast and activated.
The Power of First Strike in Defense
The biggest advantage of First Strike is that it lets your creature potentially eliminate an attacker before taking any damage. For example, if your 2/1 creature with First Strike blocks a 2/2 creature without First Strike, your creature will deal 2 damage in the First Combat Damage Step, killing the attacker. The attacker won’t deal any damage back, as it’s already been destroyed. This is a huge tempo swing in your favor.
Scenarios & Examples
- Single Block: A 3/2 with First Strike blocks a 3/3 without First Strike. The 3/2 with First Strike deals 3 damage to the 3/3, destroying it. The 3/3 doesn’t deal damage.
- Double Block: A 2/1 with First Strike blocks a 5/5. The 2/1 with First Strike deals 2 damage. The 5/5 deals 5 damage back in the second combat damage step and destroys the blocker.
- First Strike vs. First Strike: If a creature with First Strike blocks another creature with First Strike, they deal damage simultaneously during the First Combat Damage Step. If both creatures have enough power to kill each other, they will both be destroyed.
- First Strike vs. Deathtouch: A creature with First Strike blocks a creature with Deathtouch. Because the First Strike creature deals damage first, it can kill the Deathtouch creature before it deals any damage. In this case, the First Strike creature survives unharmed.
Maximizing Your Defensive Advantage
To maximize your advantage when blocking with creatures with First Strike, consider these strategies:
- Evaluate the Threat: Identify which attacking creatures pose the biggest threat and prioritize blocking them with your First Strike creatures.
- Consider Double Blocking: If you have multiple creatures and need to protect a valuable asset, double blocking can be a viable strategy, even if it means losing one of your blockers. However, consider your blockers carefully – it is likely more efficient to have the creature with First Strike as the lone blocker to trade effectively.
- Use Combat Tricks: Instants that boost power or grant additional abilities can turn a potentially unfavorable block into a winning one.
- Anticipate Opponent’s Moves: Watch for clues that indicate your opponent might have combat tricks or abilities that can disrupt your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how First Strike works when blocking:
1. Does First Strike happen when defending?
Yes, First Strike applies whether a creature is attacking or blocking.
2. What happens if I double block a creature with First Strike?
When you double block a creature with First Strike, your creatures are still considered to be blocking regardless of how early the blocker dies. If your creatures block but are dealt lethal damage in the first combat damage step, the attacker will not deal damage to the player unless it has trample.
3. If two 1/1s block a 1/1 with First Strike, what happens?
The 1/1 with First Strike deals 1 damage to one of the blockers in the first combat damage step, killing it. In the second combat damage step, the remaining 1/1 blocker and the original attacker deals their combat damage simultaneously and they both die.
4. Does First Strike block Deathtouch?
Yes. The creature with First Strike deals damage during the First Combat Damage Step, potentially destroying the creature with Deathtouch before it has a chance to deal damage.
5. Does fight ignore First Strike?
Yes, the fight mechanic is not considered combat damage. Therefore, abilities like First Strike or Double Strike won’t have any effect.
6. Does indestructible prevent Deathtouch?
Yes, indestructible creatures ignore deathtouch because they cannot be destroyed by damage.
7. Who wins First Strike vs. Deathtouch?
The creature with First Strike will hit first. If it deals enough damage to destroy the creature with Deathtouch, the Deathtouch creature won’t deal any damage.
8. Is Double Strike First Strike?
Not exactly. Double strike isn’t just first strike. Effects that make a creature lose first strike won’t make it lose double strike. Creatures with double strike and creatures with first strike deal combat damage in the first combat damage step. Then, creatures with double strike deal damage again in the second combat damage step.
9. Can you give a creature double Double Strike?
No; multiple instances of Double Strike (or of First Strike) on the same creature are redundant. You can’t stack the abilities.
10. How many times can you block in MTG?
Each creature can only block one attacking creature, however multiple defending creatures can block the same attacker.
11. Does First Strike apply to the first hit in League of Legends?
This question relates to League of Legends and not Magic the Gathering. First Strike in League of Legends grants bonus gold if you damage an enemy champ before they damage you, as long as it’s off cooldown.
12. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch?
No, Hexproof does not stop deathtouch. Hexproof means the creature can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch is an ability, but it doesn’t target.
13. What are the rules for blocking in Magic The Gathering?
A creature must be untapped to block. Each creature can only block a single attacker, but multiple creatures can block the same attacker. Both players get a chance to cast instants after blockers have been declared.
14. If a creature with Double Strike is blocked, will it then hit the player if it kills its blocker?
No, if a creature with Double Strike is blocked, it remains blocked even if the blocking creature dies to first strike. It will not hit the player unless the attacking creature has trample.
15. What is the difference between 1/1 and 1/1 First Strike?
The difference is that the 1/1 with First Strike deals its damage before the 1/1 without First Strike. The 1/1 with First Strike will kill a 1/1 without it and the 1/1 with First Strike will be unharmed.
Mastering the nuances of First Strike and how it interacts with blocking is crucial for becoming a skilled MTG player. By understanding these concepts and incorporating them into your strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate the battlefield. Remember to explore resources like the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org to deepen your understanding of game mechanics and strategic thinking.