Double Strike vs. Blockers: A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering Combat

Double strike is one of the most potent evergreen keywords in Magic: The Gathering, fundamentally altering the flow of combat. When facing blockers, a creature with double strike effectively gets two chances to deal damage. First, it deals damage during the first combat damage step, along with any creatures with first strike. Then, if it survives, it deals damage again during the normal combat damage step. This offers significant advantages and strategic considerations, particularly when navigating the complexities of blocking. Let’s explore this interaction in detail.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

The key to understanding double strike against blockers lies in recognizing that combat damage is assigned and dealt twice. During the first strike damage step, the double strike creature assigns its damage to the blocking creatures according to its controller’s declared damage assignment order. If the double strike creature deals enough damage to destroy the blocker(s) during this first strike damage step, and it has trample, the remaining damage is dealt to the defending player. Then, during the normal combat damage step, assuming the double strike creature survives, it assigns and deals damage again.

This means that a creature with double strike can potentially eliminate multiple blockers or deal significant damage to a single, resilient blocker across both damage steps. The strategic implications are vast, impacting deck building, combat decisions, and even the value of removal spells.

Double Strike and Damage Assignment

When an attacking creature with double strike is blocked by multiple creatures, its controller must declare a damage assignment order at the beginning of combat. This order determines which blocker receives damage first. The attacking creature must assign enough damage to the first blocker in the order to destroy it before assigning any damage to the next blocker in line.

With double strike, this process happens twice. During the first strike damage step, damage is assigned according to the order, potentially clearing the way for the second strike. During the normal combat damage step, the damage assignment order remains the same, but the available blockers might be different, depending on whether any were destroyed in the first strike damage step.

Important Considerations

• Trample: Trample is a crucial ability to pair with double strike. If a double strike creature with trample deals enough damage during the first strike damage step to destroy its blockers, the remaining damage is assigned to the defending player. If it survives to the normal combat damage step, it can assign all its damage to the defending player, assuming the opponent controls no blockers.
• Deathtouch: Deathtouch synergizes well with both first strike and double strike. If a creature with double strike and deathtouch deals any damage to a blocker during the first strike damage step, that blocker is destroyed.
• Indestructible: Indestructible creatures present a challenge to double strike. Since indestructible prevents destruction by damage, a double strike creature cannot clear the way for the second strike simply by dealing damage. Instead, it must contend with the indestructible blocker during both damage steps. However, creatures with double strike and wither/infect are exceptions.
• Lifelink: A creature with Double Strike and Lifelink grants its controller twice the life that it deals damage. If it manages to successfully damage a blocker on both turns, then its controller will gain life equal to its power on both turns.

FAQs: Double Strike and Blocking

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the intricacies of double strike and blocking:

1. If a double strike creature kills a blocker during the first strike damage step, does it still deal damage during the normal combat damage step?

Yes, if the double strike creature survives the first strike damage step and is still blocked (even if the original blocker is gone), it will deal damage during the normal combat damage step. This damage is typically assigned to the defending player, unless the double strike creature is now blocked by a different creature. If the double strike creature has trample, it can deal any excess damage to the defending player.

2. Does double strike trigger combat damage triggers twice when blocked?

Absolutely. Creatures with double strike deal combat damage twice, once during the first strike combat damage step, and once during the normal combat damage step. Each instance of dealing damage triggers combat damage triggers separately.

3. Does first strike work when blocking?

Yes, first strike and double strike work both on attacks and when blocking. A creature with first strike blocking a creature without it will deal damage first, potentially destroying the attacker before it can deal damage.

4. Does double strike beat deathtouch?

It depends. If you block a creature with deathtouch with a creature with first strike or double strike, your creature will deal damage during the first strike damage step, potentially destroying the deathtouch creature before it can deal damage. However, if the deathtouch creature survives the first strike damage step, it will deal damage during the normal combat damage step, and any amount of damage is enough to destroy your creature, unless it has indestructible.

5. Do you have to double block double strike?

Your creature is still considered to be blocked regardless of how early the blocker dies. Once a creature is declared as a blocker, the creature it blocks is blocked for the turn, regardless of what happens to the blocker. This strategy can be useful in specific situations, but it is not a requirement.

6. Can multiple blockers block one attacker with double strike?

Yes, multiple creatures can block an attacker with double strike. The attacking player declares a damage assignment order and assigns damage accordingly in both damage steps.

7. Is double strike only useful when attacking?

No. While it’s commonly associated with attacking, double strike is equally effective when blocking. A creature with double strike can deal damage twice while blocking, potentially eliminating the attacker before it can deal damage in the normal combat damage step.

8. If I give a creature double strike after first combat damage step, does it deal damage during the second?

Giving first strike (which double strike essentially is) to a creature without it after combat damage has already been dealt in the first combat damage step won’t preclude that creature from assigning combat damage in the second combat damage step.

9. If a creature with double strike is blocked by an indestructible creature, how does combat resolve?

The indestructible creature will survive both combat damage steps. The double strike creature deals its damage, but the indestructible creature isn’t destroyed. Consider using creatures with double strike and wither/infect to overcome the blocker.

10. Does indestructible prevent Deathtouch with double strike?

Indestructible creatures ignore deathtouch. Since indestructible creatures can’t be destroyed, they’re immune to deathtouch. A creature with double strike can block a creature with deathtouch until the end of time without suffering any ill effects, since it can deal damage twice, and neither will get destroyed.

11. Can I play an instant after blockers are declared to remove a blocker before the first strike damage step?

Yes, each player receives priority and can cast instants after blockers are declared. However, the attacking creature will still be considered blocked, even if the defender is killed or otherwise removed from combat.

12. Does lifelink trigger twice with double strike?

Assuming the creature actually deals damage twice, yes, Lifelink will trigger both times. If it kills all of its blockers in the first strike combat damage step, it won’t assign or deal any damage in the normal combat damage step unless it somehow gains trample.

13. Does double strike trigger annihilator twice?

No. Annihilator will only trigger once, during the Declare Attackers Step, when the creature is declared as an attacker. Then the creature will deal damage as any other double striker does. If you’re asking if annihilator will trigger more than once, it won’t.

14. How is combat damage assigned to multiple blockers when attacking?

If exactly one creature is blocking an attacker, it assigns all its combat damage to that creature. If two or more creatures are blocking it, it assigns its combat damage to those creatures according to the damage assignment order announced for it. This may allow the blocked creature to divide its combat damage.

15. Does double strike work during fight?

First strike nor double strike affects how fighting works. All these two abilities do is give a combat phase two combat damage steps instead of one, and restrict which creatures can assign combat damage during those steps.

Mastering the Double Strike Advantage

Double strike offers a significant advantage in combat, whether attacking or blocking. Understanding the nuances of damage assignment, the interaction with other keywords like trample, deathtouch, and indestructible, and the timing of combat phases is crucial for maximizing its potential. By mastering these elements, players can leverage double strike to dominate the battlefield and secure victory. Games like Magic the Gathering are not just about skill, but also about critical thinking and strategizing like the ones taught in the Games Learning Society! To learn more about how games can teach invaluable skills, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Using double strike effectively takes practice, but it will become a crucial part of your gameplay if you master it.