How Multiple Blockers Work in Magic: The Gathering
Understanding how multiple blockers interact is crucial to mastering Magic: The Gathering (MTG). It can be the difference between a successful defense and a devastating loss. Here’s a breakdown of how it all works: When an attacking creature is blocked by multiple creatures, the attacking player gets to choose the order in which the blockers will receive damage. This isn’t arbitrary; the attacking creature has to deal lethal damage to the first blocker in the order before any damage is assigned to the next one. In essence, the attacking player ‘chains’ the damage through the blocking creatures. If there is more than enough damage to kill all the blockers then the extra damage is not transfered to the player as it would with trample, the blocked creature’s damage simply ends after all blocking creatures have been dealt lethal damage.
This mechanic allows for strategic plays by both the attacker and the defender. Defenders can use multiple creatures to try to take down a single threat, while attackers have to carefully calculate how their creature’s damage output will affect each blocker in their chosen order. Understanding the intricacies of assigning damage to multiple blockers is fundamental to effective gameplay.
Key Concepts in Multiple Blocking
Assigning Damage
The cornerstone of understanding multiple blocking is how damage is assigned. As mentioned, the attacking player chooses the order of the blockers. They then assign damage to the first blocker on the list. This assignment must be enough to kill the creature, typically equal to or greater than the blocker’s toughness. Only then can any remaining damage be applied to the next blocker. If there is not enough damage to kill the blocker, the attacking creature’s damage stops, unless it has the trample ability.
Lethal Damage
Lethal damage is the amount of damage needed to destroy a creature. This usually equals its toughness, but some effects like Deathtouch can make even a single point of damage lethal. Understanding and anticipating lethal damage is crucial when deciding how to block and assign damage. The creature blocked by an attacker deals all its damage back to the attacking creature, these damages are dealt simultaneously.
Blocking Order
The blocking order is determined entirely by the attacking player when there is more than one blocker. This allows a strategic level of control and is critical in many combat situations. For example, an attacking player might target a smaller, weaker blocker first to minimize the damage their attacking creature takes from the defenders. It is also important to note that an attacking creature only deals its damage to one blocker, or all the creatures blocking it if it has trample, it doesn’t deal its damage to every creature blocking it.
Trample Interaction
The Trample mechanic complicates things. When an attacking creature with trample is blocked by multiple creatures, it must assign lethal damage to all blocking creatures before dealing any excess damage to the defending player. With trample, damage is ‘trampled over’ after lethal damage has been dealt to each blocking creature in the order the attacking player chose.
Specific Ability Interactions
Deathtouch and Multiple Blockers
When an attacking creature with Deathtouch is blocked by multiple creatures, only one point of damage is needed to make the damage lethal to each blocker. However, damage is still assigned in the order determined by the attacking player. This can make Deathtouch an extremely powerful ability against multiple blockers.
First Strike/Double Strike and Multiple Blockers
First Strike and Double Strike have interesting interactions with multiple blockers. A creature with First Strike deals its damage before creatures without it during the initial damage step. If it deals lethal damage to all the blockers with its First Strike damage, the other blockers will not deal damage to the attacking creature. Similarly, with double strike the creature deals damage twice in the combat step. The first set is at the same time as first strike, and second set during normal combat.
Other Keyword Abilities and Multiple Blockers
Several other keywords, such as Flying and Reach, interact with multiple blockers. Flying means a creature can only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach. Thus a defender may decide to double block a flying attacker to ensure its destruction if all their blockers have reach. This further demonstrates how strategic decisions made during the blocking phase can significantly impact the game’s outcome.
The Blocking Step and Priority
After the declare attackers phase, the defending player declares which creatures will block which attackers. After the blocking is declared, both players have a chance to play instant-speed spells or activate abilities before damage occurs. This “priority” window allows for numerous tactical plays, such as buffing creatures, removing blockers, or adding more blockers.
FAQ: Multiple Blockers in Magic
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about multiple blockers to further clarify and solidify your understanding:
1. Can I block an attacker with multiple creatures?
Yes, you can block one attacking creature with multiple defending creatures. This is a fundamental mechanic of MTG.
2. Who decides the order of damage when multiple creatures block?
The attacking player chooses the order in which damage is assigned to multiple blocking creatures.
3. How much damage is needed to kill a blocker when multiple block?
Usually, you must assign damage equal to or greater than the blocker’s toughness. If the attacker has deathtouch, only one point of damage is needed for a blocker to die.
4. What happens if I don’t have enough damage to kill all blockers?
The attacking creature deals damage to blockers in the order chosen until all the damage is spent, the rest of the blockers will deal their combat damage.
5. How does trample work with multiple blockers?
If an attacking creature with trample is blocked by multiple creatures, it must deal lethal damage to all blockers before any excess damage can trample through to the defending player.
6. Can I block a flying creature with a non-flying creature?
No, a creature with flying can only be blocked by other creatures with flying or reach unless specific abilities are at play.
7. Can I block a creature with reach with a flying creature?
Yes, a creature with reach can block a creature with flying.
8. If a creature has deathtouch, how does it affect multiple blockers?
A creature with deathtouch needs to deal only one point of damage to destroy each blocker, in order as decided by the attacker.
9. If I block with two creatures, do they both deal damage to the attacker?
Yes, the two creatures blocking an attacking creature each deal their full combat damage to it simultaneously.
10. Can I sacrifice a blocking creature after blockers are declared?
Yes, you can sacrifice a blocking creature after blockers are declared, but it will still be considered blocked.
11. If a blocker has indestructible, can I still assign damage to other blockers?
Yes, a blocker with indestructible cannot be destroyed but it still must receive lethal damage, before you can damage any further blockers.
12. Can I use an instant after blockers are declared?
Yes, both players have a chance to cast instants or activate abilities after blockers are declared and before damage is dealt.
13. Does first strike work against multiple blockers?
Yes, a creature with first strike deals its damage before creatures without first strike. If the creature with first strike kills the blockers, the blockers don’t deal damage.
14. Can I block with a tapped creature?
You can declare a creature as a blocker regardless of whether it is tapped or not, once it has been declared as a blocker, you can then tap it for an ability.
15. How does double strike interact with multiple blockers?
A creature with double strike deals damage twice. The first damage is dealt during the first combat step before creatures without first strike, and the second damage is dealt during the normal combat damage step. The attacking player will choose an order and assign damage in this manner for both sets of damage.
Understanding these mechanics will significantly improve your MTG gameplay. Multiple blockers are a fundamental part of the game, and mastering them opens up a whole new world of strategic possibilities.