How does first strike MTG work?
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First strike in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a static ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike, representing a creature’s exceptional speed or skill, or possession of long-range weapons. Creatures with first strike deal all their damage at the same time, and once lethal damage has been assigned to one blocker, damage is assigned to the next blocker, all happening before other creatures deal damage.
Understanding First Strike
To grasp the concept of first strike fully, it’s essential to understand how it interacts with other abilities and game mechanics in MTG.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does first strike apply to each blocker?
Yes, first strike applies to each blocker, with all first strike damage being dealt at the same time, before moving on to the next blocker.
2. What happens when a creature with first strike blocks?
A creature that just has first strike only deals combat damage once, and blocking creatures can indeed benefit from first strike.
3. Does First Strike give haste?
No, first strike does not give haste; they are separate abilities that can coexist on a creature but serve different purposes.
4. Does first strike work on abilities?
No, first strike and triple strike do not apply to magic ability damage.
5. What ARE First and Double Strike?
First strike allows a creature to deal combat damage before creatures without it, while double strike allows a creature to deal combat damage twice.
6. Does first strike evade Deathtouch?
Yes, creatures with first strike or double strike can deal damage before a creature with deathtouch can, potentially killing it before it deals damage back.
7. How does first strike work with 2 blockers?
The attacking creature may divide its damage among all declared blockers, potentially destroying multiple blockers before they can deal damage.
8. Does first strike negate damage?
First strike allows creatures to destroy any attacker or blocker with toughness less than or equal to their power without taking any damage.
9. Does first strike increase true damage?
In certain contexts, first strike can cause a creature to deal bonus true damage against champions.
10. Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch?
No, deathtouch does not cancel out when two creatures with deathtouch fight each other; instead, both will deal lethal damage.
11. Does first strike hit all creatures?
Yes, any creatures with first strike deal all their damage before creatures without first strike, regardless of whether they are attacking or blocking.
12. What happens if a double strike kills a creature on first strike?
If a double strike creature kills a blocker during the first strike step, the regular damage is never applied.
13. Do you get first strike if you have double strike?
No, double strike is not the same as first strike, though creatures with double strike do deal combat damage twice.
14. Does Deathtouch apply to fight?
Yes, deathtouch applies to all damage dealt by a creature, including non-combat damage from fight effects.
15. Does Hexproof stop first strike?
No, hexproof does not stop first strike because first strike does not target the creature; it changes when the creature deals combat damage.