How Does Trample Work in MTG?
At its core, trample is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) that fundamentally alters how combat damage is assigned. Primarily found in green and increasingly in red, trample turns seemingly straightforward block scenarios into opportunities for overwhelming aggression. When an attacking creature with trample is blocked, it doesn’t just stop there. Instead, after assigning lethal damage to the blocking creature(s), any remaining damage can “trample over” to the defending player or planeswalker. This mechanic makes creatures with trample incredibly powerful threats, bypassing conventional defenses and putting pressure directly on your opponent. Essentially, it ensures that even if your large, powerful creature is met with resistance, it can still deliver the hurt where it matters most.
The Mechanics of Trample Damage
Assigning Damage
The crucial aspect of understanding trample lies in the order of damage assignment. When an attacking creature with trample is blocked, the attacking player must first assign damage to the blocking creature(s) sufficient to deal lethal damage. “Lethal damage” generally means assigning damage equal to or greater than the blocking creature’s toughness. Once lethal damage is assigned to all blocking creatures, any remaining damage can be assigned to the defending player or the planeswalker they are attacking, as chosen by the attacker’s controller.
It’s important to note that, in the case of multiple blockers, the attacking player chooses how to distribute damage among them, but must still assign at least lethal damage to each. However, all the remaining damage can be directed to the defending player or planeswalker.
Trample and Indestructible Creatures
Even if the blocking creature has indestructible, trample works the same way. The trampling creature will still assign enough damage to the indestructible blocker to equal lethal damage, and then any remaining damage will trample over to the player or planeswalker being attacked. The indestructible creature won’t be destroyed, but the damage still counts as lethal.
Trample is Combat-Only
Trample is a static ability that modifies the rules for assigning combat damage. If a creature with trample is dealing noncombat damage, such as through an activated ability or spell, the trample ability is not applicable. In essence, trample only affects how a creature assigns combat damage during the Combat Damage Step.
Trample as a Keyword Ability
Trample is described by the official rule 702.19, highlighting that it’s a static ability that influences combat damage assignment, with no function during blocking or noncombat scenarios. A creature has trample, and it is “on” as a feature of the creature whenever it is attacking.
Trample and the Color Pie
While historically a green ability, trample has seen increased usage in red, reflecting the aggressive nature of both colors. This mechanic fits well into the typical strategy of both colors, enabling decks to maintain pressure and push through damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trample
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify how trample works in MTG:
1. Does trample work if a creature is blocked by multiple creatures?
Yes. When an attacking creature with trample is blocked by multiple creatures, the attacker assigns damage to each blocker sufficient to deal lethal damage before any remaining damage is assigned to the defending player.
2. Does trample work with deathtouch?
Yes. When a creature with both trample and deathtouch is blocked, only one point of damage is assigned to each blocking creature because deathtouch makes one damage lethal. The rest of the damage tramples over. Unless the deathtouch creature also has first strike.
3. How does trample interact with protection from a color?
When a creature with protection from a color is blocking a creature with trample of that color, the trampling creature must still assign lethal damage to the blocking creature, even though protection prevents that damage from actually affecting it. Any remaining damage will then trample over.
4. Does trample work on a defending creature?
No. Trample only works for attacking creatures. A defending creature with trample cannot assign damage to the attacking player. The ability only triggers while attacking.
5. Does trample go over indestructible?
Yes. Although an indestructible creature can’t be destroyed, the trampling creature must still assign lethal damage to it. The remainder of the damage will still trample over.
6. Does trample carry over if the creature dies in combat?
Yes. If the trampling creature dies during the combat damage step (due to first strike or other abilities), any damage already assigned to blocking creatures and trample damage assigned to the player before death still remains.
7. Does lifelink work with trample?
Yes. If a creature with trample and lifelink deals trample damage, the controller gains life equal to the total damage dealt, including the portion that tramples over.
8. Does double strike affect trample?
Yes. When a creature has both double strike and trample, during the first damage step, it must still deal lethal damage to any blockers, and the remainder tramples over. In the second damage step it must again assign damage to the blockers for a total of lethal damage then the rest tramples over again.
9. What happens if a creature with trample is blocked by a creature with hexproof?
Hexproof does not affect the damage assignment of a creature with trample. Lethal damage must still be assigned to the hexproof creature and the remainder of damage can be assigned as trample.
10. Does first strike change how trample works?
Yes. When a creature has first strike and trample it will deal damage to its blockers in the first combat damage step first. If the first strike kills all the blockers, then all damage the trampling creature will trample over to the defending player or planeswalker.
11. Is trample damage considered combat damage?
Yes. All trample damage is considered combat damage. It does not deal damage outside of the normal damage step, even the trample-over damage is part of normal combat.
12. Does deathtouch stop trample?
No. Deathtouch means that only one damage is needed for lethal damage. A trampling creature with deathtouch will assign one damage to the blocking creature and the remainder will trample over unless the deathtouch creature is blocked by a creature with first strike.
13. Does trample work against planeswalkers?
Yes, trample works against planeswalkers in the same way it does against players. Lethal damage is assigned to blocking creatures and the remainder tramples over to the planeswalker.
14. What is the difference between trample damage and area of effect (AoE) damage?
Trample damage is not really considered an AoE. The damage tramples over, but it is always directly to the player or planeswalker. A real AoE effect is usually damage that is done to multiple targets simultaneously and/or indirectly, and trample is not that.
15. What card is well known for giving all my creatures trample?
One of the best cards for giving all your creatures trample is Akroma’s Memorial, an artifact that grants all your creatures trample, flying, first strike, haste, vigilance, and protection from red and black.
Conclusion
Trample is a powerful and dynamic mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that rewards aggressive play and makes combat more engaging. Understanding how damage is assigned with trample is crucial for making effective plays, as it allows you to bypass chump blockers and deliver significant damage to your opponents. Whether you are attacking with a massive green beast or a relentless red threat, trample is a keyword you will want to understand and utilize to your advantage. By grasping the nuances of trample, you can ensure that your creatures are a constant threat, pushing your opponent closer to defeat.