Is Double Strike First Strike? A Comprehensive Guide
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No, double strike is not the same as first strike, though they are related. A creature with double strike deals combat damage in both the first-strike combat damage step and the regular combat damage step. A creature with first strike only deals damage in the first-strike combat damage step. Therefore, while a creature with double strike participates in the first-strike combat damage step like a creature with first strike, it also deals damage in the regular combat damage step, which a creature with first strike does not. They are separate, distinct abilities in Magic: The Gathering.
Understanding First Strike and Double Strike
To truly grasp the relationship (or lack thereof) between first strike and double strike, it’s crucial to understand each ability individually, and then compare their functionalities within the rules of Magic: The Gathering (MTG). These abilities dramatically alter the dynamics of combat, adding layers of strategy and complexity to the game.
What is First Strike?
First strike is a combat keyword ability that changes when a creature deals combat damage. Normally, all attacking and blocking creatures deal combat damage simultaneously during the combat damage step. However, if a creature has first strike, it deals its combat damage before creatures without first strike (or double strike). This occurs during a separate first-strike combat damage step.
Think of it as a preemptive attack. A creature with first strike gets the jump on its opponent, potentially eliminating the threat before the opponent can even retaliate. This ability often represents superior speed, skill, or long-range weaponry.
What is Double Strike?
Double strike takes the concept of first strike a step further. A creature with double strike participates in both the first-strike combat damage step and the regular combat damage step. This means it essentially gets to attack twice in a single combat phase.
The first time it attacks during the first-strike combat damage step, just like a creature with first strike. If the creature survives that initial exchange, it then deals damage again during the regular combat damage step. This makes double strike a potent offensive ability, capable of dealing massive damage in a short amount of time.
Key Differences and Interactions
The crucial difference lies in the timing of damage. First strike allows a creature to deal damage early, potentially preventing damage in return. Double strike allows a creature to deal damage early and again at the normal time, effectively doubling its offensive output.
Here’s a breakdown of how they interact:
- Creature with First Strike vs. Creature with First Strike: Both creatures deal damage simultaneously during the first-strike combat damage step.
- Creature with First Strike vs. Creature without First Strike: The creature with first strike deals damage during the first-strike combat damage step. If the creature without first strike survives, it deals damage during the regular combat damage step.
- Creature with Double Strike vs. Creature with First Strike: Both creatures deal damage simultaneously during the first-strike combat damage step. The creature with double strike, if still alive, also deals damage during the regular combat damage step.
- Creature with Double Strike vs. Creature without First Strike: The creature with double strike deals damage during the first-strike combat damage step. If the creature without first strike survives, the creature with double strike deals damage again during the regular combat damage step.
- Creature with Double Strike vs. Creature with Double Strike: Both creatures deal damage to each other during the first-strike combat damage step. Then, if both are still alive, they deal damage to each other again during the regular combat damage step.
Understanding these interactions is vital for making informed decisions during combat. Furthermore, neither first strike nor double strike affect how fighting works (review C.R. 701.12). All these two abilities do is give a combat phase two combat damage steps instead of one, and restrict which creatures can assign combat damage during those steps (C.R. 701.4, 701.7).
Strategy and Implications
The strategic implications of first strike and double strike are significant.
- First strike can be a defensive ability, allowing you to eliminate attackers before they can deal damage.
- Double strike is primarily an offensive ability, capable of overwhelming opponents with a burst of damage.
- Both abilities synergize well with other keywords like deathtouch and lifelink, amplifying their effectiveness.
The choice between using creatures with first strike or double strike depends on your overall strategy and the specific threats you face. Careful consideration of these abilities can be the key to victory. Many educational games and tools leverage strategic thinking and decision-making processes found in games like Magic: The Gathering, supporting skills that apply to real-world scenarios. You can find more information on games and learning at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Final Thoughts
While double strike isn’t simply “first strike”, it inherently includes a component of it. The creature with double strike does deal damage in the first-strike combat damage step, alongside creatures with first strike. However, double strike’s added ability to deal damage again in the regular combat damage step makes it a distinct and often more powerful ability. Understanding these nuances is essential for mastering the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering combat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. If a creature has both First Strike and Double Strike, does it deal damage three times?
No. Having both first strike and double strike is redundant. The creature will deal damage during the first-strike combat damage step and again during the regular combat damage step, just like a creature with only double strike. The first strike ability does not add an additional damage dealing step. Multiple instances of either first strike or double strike on the same creature are redundant (C.R. 702.4e, 702.7d).
2. Does Double Strike beat Deathtouch?
The interaction depends on which creature has double strike. If a creature with double strike blocks a creature with deathtouch, the creature with double strike deals damage during the first-strike combat damage step, and if enough damage is assigned to equal or exceed the blocking creature’s toughness the creature is destroyed, and the deathtouch ability is irrelevant. If the creature with deathtouch blocks a creature with double strike, then the creature with double strike will deal damage during the first-strike combat damage step, and if the creature with deathtouch is still alive it will destroy the creature with double strike during the regular combat damage step.
3. How does Double Strike work against multiple blockers?
A creature with double strike assigning damage against multiple blockers must assign at least lethal damage to the first blocker in the order they were declared as blockers before assigning any damage to subsequent blockers. Any remaining damage can be divided among the remaining blockers, but each blocker must be assigned lethal damage before any remaining damage can be assigned to the next blocker in the order.
4. Does First Strike trigger abilities that trigger “when a creature deals combat damage”?
Yes. Because the creature with first strike is dealing combat damage, it will trigger any abilities that trigger “when a creature deals combat damage,” such as lifelink or infect.
5. Does Double Strike trigger abilities that trigger “when a creature deals combat damage” twice?
Yes. A creature with double strike that deals damage in both the first-strike and regular combat damage steps will trigger abilities that trigger “when a creature deals combat damage” twice.
6. If a creature with Double Strike is blocked by a creature with indestructible, what happens?
The creature with double strike will deal damage in both the first-strike and regular combat damage steps. The blocking creature with indestructible will survive both damage instances, but will still take the damage.
7. If a creature with Double Strike is blocked by a creature with Protection from [color], what happens?
It depends on whether the creature with double strike is [color]. If it is, then the creature with protection from [color] cannot be blocked by the creature with the appropriate color because the rules state that a creature with protection cannot be blocked by creatures with that quality. If the creature with double strike is not [color], the blocking creature with protection from [color] will take combat damage normally.
8. Can you give First Strike to a creature that already has Double Strike?
Yes, you can, but it doesn’t do anything. As mentioned previously, having both first strike and double strike is redundant. It’s not harmful to give a creature with double strike first strike, but it doesn’t provide any additional benefit.
9. What happens if a creature with Double Strike attacks a planeswalker?
The creature with double strike deals combat damage to the planeswalker during the first-strike and regular combat damage steps, reducing the planeswalker’s loyalty counters accordingly. The damage is applied the same way it would be if the creature was attacking a player.
10. How does First Strike interact with Trample?
If an attacking creature with trample has first strike, it must assign lethal damage to each blocker before assigning any damage to the defending player (or planeswalker). Because the damage happens earlier, the trample damage is more likely to get through.
11. How does Double Strike interact with Trample?
An attacking creature with both double strike and trample deals damage to blockers in both the first-strike and regular combat damage steps. Lethal damage must be assigned to blockers before any damage can be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker in each step. This can result in a significant amount of trample damage if blockers are weak or easily eliminated in the first-strike combat damage step.
12. Can First Strike or Double Strike be countered?
First strike and double strike are abilities that creatures either have or don’t have. They aren’t spells or activated abilities, so they cannot be directly countered. However, a spell or ability that removes abilities from a creature or destroys the creature before combat damage is dealt could effectively “counter” the effect of first strike or double strike.
13. How does Lifelink work with Double Strike?
If a creature with double strike has lifelink, you gain life equal to the total damage dealt in both combat damage steps. So, if it deals 2 damage in the first-strike step and 2 damage in the regular combat damage step, you gain a total of 4 life.
14. Does First Strike or Double Strike affect spells cast during the combat phase?
No. First strike and double strike only affect how combat damage is dealt. Spells cast during the combat phase resolve in the order they are cast, independent of combat damage steps.
15. If a creature has Double Strike and is blocked by two creatures, can it deal all its damage to one creature in the first strike step and then all its damage to the other creature in the regular damage step?
No. The attacking creature must assign at least lethal damage to each blocking creature during each damage step before any further damage can be assigned to any of the remaining blockers.