Trample Through the Confusion: What Happens When a Blocker Vanishes?

So, you’re swinging in with a massive beast wielding trample in Magic: The Gathering, and your opponent throws a blocker in its path. But then, poof! The blocker disappears before damage is dealt. What happens to all that glorious trample damage? Does it all go through? Does nothing go through? Let’s unravel this scenario.

The core principle is this: if a blocker is removed before the combat damage step, the trampling creature essentially faces no blockers. Trample allows excess damage beyond what’s needed to deal lethal damage to blockers to be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker. If there are no blockers to begin with, all damage can be assigned to the player or planeswalker. This is true even if the blocker was declared and then removed before the damage step! The important thing is that the blocker has to be removed before the damage step.

This leads to some interesting tactical considerations and rulings, which we’ll explore in the FAQs below. Get ready to learn how to maximize your trample power!

Understanding Trample’s Nuances: Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of trample and how it interacts with other common Magic scenarios.

FAQ 1: Does Trample require lethal damage to blockers even if they’re going to be removed?

No. Trample only requires assigning lethal damage to blockers that are actually there during the combat damage step. If a blocker is removed (through spells, abilities, or even combat tricks) before damage is assigned, it’s no longer considered a blocker for the purpose of trample damage assignment. 0 damage is lethal if there is no blocker.

FAQ 2: What happens if the blocker is removed during the combat damage step?

This is a more complex scenario. The way that damage is assigned occurs simultaneously; players do not have time to play spells or abilities in the middle of damage assignment. This means that if a blocker is removed after some (or all) of damage has been assigned, that damage is still assigned to the removed creature. It is not re-assigned to the defending player, as that assignment has already been declared by the player.

FAQ 3: If a blocker is exiled, does the trampling damage go through?

Yes, assuming the blocker is exiled before damage is assigned. Exile is simply a different method of removal, achieving the same result as destruction or bouncing. The key is the timing: before damage assignment.

FAQ 4: Does protection from a color stop trample?

Not entirely. A creature with protection prevents damage from sources of the specified quality (e.g., protection from red). However, if the trampling creature can still assign lethal damage to the blocking creature (even if that damage is prevented), the remaining damage can be assigned to the defending player. Imagine attacking with a 7/7 trampler into a 2/2 with protection from green (assuming your creature is green). You still assign 2 damage to the 2/2, and 5 to the defending player.

FAQ 5: How does indestructible interact with trample?

Similar to protection, indestructible doesn’t stop the trampling creature from assigning damage to the defending player. You must assign lethal damage to the indestructible blocker, but since it can’t be destroyed, the remaining damage can be assigned to the defending player.

FAQ 6: Can I choose to assign less than lethal damage to a blocker with trample?

No. You must assign at least lethal damage to each blocking creature before assigning any damage to the defending player. This is a crucial distinction for understanding how trample works. You cannot hold back damage to, for example, keep a deathtouch creature alive to block another attacker next turn.

FAQ 7: Does trample work through multiple blockers?

Yes, trample functions even with multiple blockers. You must assign lethal damage to each blocker in the order they were declared as blockers, and then any remaining damage can be assigned to the defending player.

FAQ 8: If a blocker has a shield counter, does trample ignore it?

Shield counters do not stop trample. You assign damage normally.

FAQ 9: Does deathtouch affect how much trample damage goes through?

Yes! Because a creature with deathtouch only needs to assign 1 damage to a creature to be considered lethal.

FAQ 10: What happens if the trampler also has lifelink?

If the trampling attacker also has lifelink, you gain life equal to the total damage it deals, including damage dealt to both the blocker(s) and the defending player/planeswalker.

FAQ 11: Can a creature with trample deal damage to multiple planeswalkers?

No. When assigning excess damage with trample, you can choose to assign it to either the defending player or a single planeswalker they control, but not both.

FAQ 12: If my opponent sacrifices their blocker in response to my attack, does trample still go through?

Yes, as long as they sacrifice before the combat damage step. Sacrificing the blocker removes it from combat, meaning there’s nothing to block the trampling creature’s path. All damage can then be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker.

FAQ 13: Does trample work if the blocker has shroud or hexproof?

Shroud and hexproof only prevent the blocker from being targeted by spells or abilities you control. They do not prevent a creature from blocking, and they do not affect how trample functions. You still have to assign lethal damage to the creature with shroud or hexproof before assigning damage to the defending player.

FAQ 14: Can I trample over a creature with regeneration?

Yes. You must assign lethal damage to the blocking creature, even if it will be regenerated. Regeneration simply replaces being destroyed. The blocking creature regenerates after combat, but the defending player still takes the trample damage.

FAQ 15: Where can I learn more about the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering rules?

The official Magic: The Gathering rulebook is the ultimate resource, but for a more accessible and engaging approach to learning about games and game design, consider exploring the Games Learning Society. You can find valuable insights and resources at their website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Trample can seem complex at first, but understanding these core principles and edge cases will make you a more strategic player. Master the trampling charge, and crush your opponents!