Decoding the Art of Blocking in Magic: The Gathering
Blocking is a fundamental aspect of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a strategic card game where understanding combat is crucial for success. In MTG, blocking is the primary way a defending player interacts with their opponent’s attacking creatures, and it’s a complex step with various nuances that can drastically alter the course of a game. In essence, blocking is the action of a defending player declaring one or more of their untapped creatures as blockers against one or more of the attacking creatures. This decision is critical because it determines which creatures will engage in combat, often resulting in creature losses on both sides.
How Blocking Works in MTG
The blocking process occurs in the declare blockers step, which is the third of four steps during a player’s combat phase. Once attackers have been declared, the defending player makes crucial decisions about which of their untapped creatures will block which of the attackers, and in what order damage will be assigned by the attacking creature if it is blocked by multiple creatures. Here’s the general process:
- Attackers are Declared: The attacking player declares which creatures will attack, targeting either the defending player, a planeswalker they control, or a Battle they control.
- Defenders Declare Blockers: The defending player chooses which of their untapped creatures will block. Each creature can block only one attacking creature by default, however, multiple creatures may block the same attacker.
- Damage Assignment Order (If Applicable): If an attacker is blocked by multiple creatures, the attacking player must declare the order in which that attacker will assign damage to the blockers.
- Combat Damage Step: Creatures deal combat damage to each other. Blocking creatures deal damage to the attacking creature they are blocking, and the blocked attacking creature deals damage to blocking creatures according to the damage assignment order.
- Post-Combat Step: Players have one final opportunity to play instants and activated abilities before the combat phase ends.
Understanding these steps thoroughly is key to mastering the combat phase and gaining an edge in MTG. It’s important to note that creatures cannot block if they are tapped.
The Nuances of Blocking: Key Concepts
Multiple Blockers on One Attacker
The ability to block a single attacker with multiple blockers is a cornerstone of defensive strategy. This forces the attacking player to carefully consider their actions, as even a large, powerful creature can be neutralized by a group of smaller defenders. The attacking player must declare a damage assignment order, which specifies which blocker will take damage first.
Damage Assignment
An attacking creature that is blocked divides it’s combat damage between all creatures blocking it. When an attacker is blocked by multiple creatures, the attacking player assigns damage according to the damage assignment order they declared during the declare blockers step. For example, if an attacking creature with 5 power is blocked by three creatures, the attacker would deal damage to the first blocker in the order assigned. Once that creature is destroyed, any remaining damage is dealt to the next creature in the assigned damage order.
First Strike and Double Strike
First strike and double strike significantly impact combat. Creatures with first strike deal their damage first, before creatures without it, and can destroy blockers before they deal any damage back. Creatures with double strike deal damage during both the first strike damage step and the normal combat damage step. This changes calculations considerably and can disrupt your opponent’s combat strategies.
Deathtouch, Hexproof, and Indestructible
Several keywords interact with blocking. Deathtouch means that any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch to another creature is lethal damage, instantly destroying the targeted creature. Hexproof prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities controlled by an opponent. Indestructible creatures cannot be destroyed by damage. A creature with indestructible will survive an encounter with a creature with deathtouch.
Abilities and Instants
Blocking doesn’t end when blockers are declared. Players can use instants and activate creature abilities after the blocking step, but before damage. This allows for surprise tricks, such as sacrificing a blocker, removing an attacker, or boosting a creature’s stats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocking in MTG
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help further understand the intricacies of blocking:
1. Can you block with a tapped creature?
No, a creature must be untapped in order to be declared as a blocker. If a creature is tapped at the start of the declare blockers step, it cannot be used to block during that combat phase.
2. Can a creature block more than one attacker?
Normally, each creature can only block a single attacker. However, some cards have abilities that allow them to block more than one creature. This can include creatures with a specific ability that states “this creature can block an additional n creatures”
3. Can multiple creatures block the same attacker?
Yes, multiple creatures can block the same attacker. In this case, the attacking player chooses the damage assignment order for the blockers.
4. How does damage work when a creature is blocked by multiple creatures?
The attacking player assigns damage to the blockers based on the damage assignment order they chose. Damage is assigned sequentially, destroying blocking creatures according to the order assigned, then any remaining damage transfers to the next blocking creature until all damage is assigned.
5. Does deathtouch apply when blocking?
Yes, deathtouch works both when a creature attacks and when it blocks. Any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch will destroy the creature it is dealing damage to.
6. Does first strike apply to multiple blockers?
Yes, a creature with first strike will deal damage first. This can lead to blockers being destroyed before they can deal their damage if the attacker has enough power to deal lethal damage.
7. Can you use abilities or instants after declaring blockers but before damage?
Absolutely. This is a strategic window that allows you to use instants and activated abilities, which can significantly impact the outcome of combat.
8. What happens if a blocker is sacrificed after blocking?
The attacking creature is still considered blocked, but the sacrificed blocker no longer participates in damage calculation. The attacking creature will not deal damage to the sacrificed creature and may deal no combat damage at all.
9. Can you block an attacking creature with a vehicle?
Yes, but only if the vehicle is crewed. If a vehicle is not crewed, it is not a creature and cannot block.
10. How does hexproof interact with deathtouch when blocking?
Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of an opponent’s spells or abilities. Deathtouch doesn’t target, so hexproof doesn’t protect a blocker from deathtouch.
11. How does indestructible interact with deathtouch when blocking?
An indestructible creature is not destroyed by damage or deathtouch. The creature will still take the damage, but is not destroyed.
12. Does double strike beat deathtouch?
If a creature with double strike blocks a creature with deathtouch, the creature with double strike deals damage during the first strike damage step. If this damage is lethal to the creature with deathtouch, the deathtouch creature will be destroyed before it gets to do damage, and so the deathtouch ability will not come into play.
13. Does blocking tap my creature?
No, blocking does not tap your creature. This allows you to activate a creatures abilities after blocking, if the creature has an ability that allows it to activate by tapping.
14. Can you block and tap a creature at the same time?
Yes. A creature can be declared as a blocker and then be tapped for an ability. As long as the creature was untapped when it blocked, the act of tapping it afterwards will not unblock it.
15. What is the main purpose of blocking in MTG?
The main purpose of blocking is to protect your life total and other permanents from attacking creatures. It allows you to control combat, manage the battlefield, and stall until you can gain the upper hand.
Conclusion
Mastering blocking is essential for any MTG player aiming to improve their game. The various nuances of the process, from multiple blockers to keyword interactions, provide ample strategic depth. A good understanding of these mechanics allows players to create robust defensive strategies, control the battlefield, and ultimately secure victories. Blocking is more than just a defensive move, it is a strategic tool that can dictate the pace and outcome of any MTG match.