Double Trouble: Is Double Strike Really Better Than First Strike?
The age-old question: Is double strike better than first strike? In a nutshell, yes, double strike is generally better than first strike. While both abilities grant a significant advantage in combat, double strike offers a more powerful, versatile, and impactful edge. It essentially combines the benefits of first strike with a second dose of regular combat damage, potentially leading to overwhelming victories. However, the specific context of the game, other abilities at play, and the opponent’s strategy all factor into determining which ability is more advantageous in any given situation.
Why Double Strike Reigns Supreme
First strike allows a creature to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike or double strike. This can be decisive, eliminating blockers before they can retaliate. However, its power is limited to a single instance of damage.
Double strike, on the other hand, allows a creature to deal damage twice: once in the first strike combat damage step and again in the regular combat damage step. This effectively doubles the creature’s combat damage output. This is where the real power lies. A creature with double strike essentially has two opportunities to defeat its opponent, making it incredibly difficult to block or survive against.
Think of it this way: First strike is a well-aimed jab; double strike is a devastating one-two punch. The added impact from the second strike is what differentiates and elevates it. The combination possibilities are endless.
Context Matters: When First Strike Holds Its Own
Despite the inherent advantage of double strike, there are situations where first strike can be equally valuable or even superior. These scenarios are less common, but it’s crucial to understand them:
- Low-Power Creatures: For creatures with very low power, the difference between one hit and two hits might be negligible. In this case, first strike can be just as effective at taking out a blocker before it deals damage.
- Specific Counters: Some strategies specifically target or neutralize double strike. If an opponent has a reliable way to remove or weaken double strike creatures, the value of the ability diminishes.
- Specific Board States: Imagine a situation where you only need to deal a small amount of damage to win the game. In this case, a first strike creature could do the job just as efficiently as a double strike creature.
Synergies: Amplifying the Power of Double Strike
The true potential of double strike is unlocked when combined with other abilities. These synergies can turn a powerful ability into a game-winning one:
- Trample: A creature with double strike and trample will assign its first strike damage, then its regular combat damage. Any excess damage from either damage step tramples over to the defending player. Imagine a 5/5 double strike trample creature. It hits with 5 damage during first strike and 5 damage again during the normal strike. Absolutely devastating!
- Lifelink: A creature with double strike and lifelink gains you life for each instance of combat damage it deals. This can quickly swing the game in your favor, providing a significant health buffer. Double strike combined with lifelink can create a resilient and threatening attacker.
- Deathtouch: With deathtouch, any amount of damage a creature deals is enough to destroy a creature. Double strike makes this even more efficient, ensuring that the target is almost guaranteed to be destroyed in the first combat damage step. In fact, as long as something blocks your creature with double strike and deathtouch it will be destroyed because after the first strike damage is dealt, the blocking creature is already dead and is no longer blocking.
- Damage-Based Triggers: Abilities that trigger upon dealing damage, such as dealing damage to an opponent or creature, will trigger twice with double strike. This can lead to powerful chain reactions and overwhelming advantage.
- Additional Damage Effects: Combining double strike with effects that boost power or deal extra damage can be incredibly potent. This is a great way to close out games quickly.
Double strike’s versatility and synergy potential far exceed that of first strike. This is a very powerful ability in the right situation.
Double Strike in Different Game Formats
The value of double strike can also vary depending on the game format.
- Limited (Draft/Sealed): In limited formats, where card quality is generally lower, double strike creatures can be incredibly powerful. They are difficult to block and can quickly dominate the board.
- Constructed (Standard/Modern/Legacy): In constructed formats, the value of double strike depends on the specific meta-game. If aggressive strategies are prevalent, double strike creatures can be highly effective. If control strategies are dominant, the ability might be less useful.
- Commander/EDH: Double strike is a powerhouse in Commander, especially when paired with the Commander Damage rule. A commander with double strike deals a whopping 12 points of commander damage in a single combat, drastically reducing the number of hits needed to eliminate a player.
FAQs: Demystifying Double Strike
1. Does Double Strike work as First Strike?
Double strike isn’t first strike, but it includes the functionality of first strike. Creatures with double strike participate in the first strike combat damage step.
2. Does Double Strike affect Fighting?
No, double strike has no effect on “fight” abilities. Fighting is not combat damage, so abilities like first strike or double strike don’t apply.
3. Does First Strike do more damage?
First strike itself does not inherently do more damage. It simply changes when the damage is dealt. However, by eliminating a blocker before it can deal damage, it can indirectly prevent damage to your creature.
4. What is First Strike and Double Strike?
Creatures with either ability deal damage in the First Strike combat step, at the same time. Then, in the normal damage step, any still living creatures that haven’t dealt their damage deal it now. If a Double Striker is still alive, it also deals its damage now, even though it already did.
5. What is the First Strike Advantage?
The advantage of first strike lies in its ability to eliminate a threat before it can retaliate, potentially saving your creature from taking damage.
6. What is the difference between Single Strike and Double Strike?
Single strike (or no strike ability) means a creature deals damage only in the normal combat damage step. Double strike allows a creature to deal damage in both the first strike and normal combat damage steps.
7. Does First Strike beat Deathtouch?
Yes, first strike can “beat” deathtouch. If a creature with first strike deals enough damage to destroy a creature with deathtouch in the first strike damage step, the deathtouch creature will not deal any damage.
8. Is Double Strike only attacking?
No, double strike applies anytime the creature deals combat damage, whether it’s attacking or blocking.
9. Can you block with Double Strike?
Yes, you can block with a creature that has double strike, and they will deal damage twice!
10. Does Double Strike cause combat damage triggers twice?
Yes, absolutely! Any abilities that trigger when a creature deals combat damage will trigger twice for a creature with double strike.
11. Is Triple Strike better than First Strike?
There is no ability called “Triple Strike” in most established games. Assuming you’re referring to a hypothetical ability that allows a creature to deal damage three times, then yes, it would generally be better than first strike.
12. Can you give Double Strike twice?
Giving a creature double strike a second time is redundant. It already deals damage in both combat damage steps. Adding more instances of double strike won’t change anything.
13. What wins Indestructible vs Deathtouch?
Indestructible wins against deathtouch. An indestructible creature cannot be destroyed by any means, including damage from a creature with deathtouch.
14. Does Hexproof stop Deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not stop deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities. Deathtouch is a static ability that doesn’t target.
15. Does Double Strike count when defending?
Yes, if your creature has Double Strike, it deals damage during the first strike and normal combat damage steps, regardless of whether it is attacking or defending.
Conclusion
While both first strike and double strike offer combat advantages, double strike generally emerges as the superior ability. Its ability to deal damage twice, combined with its strong synergies with other abilities, makes it a potent force on the battlefield. Understanding the nuances of each ability and how they interact with other game mechanics is key to maximizing their potential. To learn more about the mechanics of games and game design, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. By understanding game mechanics, you become a better player!