Is There a Second Combat Phase in MTG? Unveiling the Secrets of Extra Attacks

Yes, absolutely! In Magic: The Gathering (MTG), you can definitely have a second, or even multiple, combat phases in a single turn. While a typical turn only includes one combat phase, certain cards and abilities allow players to gain additional combat phases, opening up exciting strategic possibilities and powerful offensive maneuvers. Understanding how these extra combat phases work is crucial for mastering the game.

Understanding the Combat Phase in MTG

Let’s first recap the anatomy of a standard combat phase:

• Beginning of Combat Step: This is where triggered abilities that trigger at the beginning of combat go on the stack.
• Declare Attackers Step: You choose which creatures you control will attack and designate which player or planeswalker each is attacking.
• Declare Blockers Step: The defending player chooses which creatures they control will block the attacking creatures.
• Combat Damage Step: Creatures deal combat damage to the creatures or players they are attacking or blocking.
• End of Combat Step: This is where triggered abilities that trigger at the end of combat go on the stack.

How to Get Additional Combat Phases

The ability to launch a second combat phase comes from specific card effects. These effects usually create a trigger that says “after this combat phase, there is an additional combat phase”. Some popular examples include:

• Aggravated Assault: This enchantment allows you to pay mana to untap all your creatures and get an additional combat phase.
• World at War: A sorcery that untaps all creatures and gives you an additional combat phase after this one.
• Aurelia, the Warleader: When Aurelia enters the battlefield, you get an additional combat phase.
• Relentless Assault: This instant grants an additional combat phase.

These cards can drastically alter the flow of a game. They transform seemingly insurmountable defenses into mere speed bumps, allowing aggressive decks to overwhelm opponents with repeated attacks. There is no limit to the number of combat phases you can have in MTG provided you have effects giving you those extra combat steps.

The Strategic Impact of Extra Combat Phases

Multiple combat phases provide significant advantages:

• Increased Damage Output: Attacking multiple times allows you to deal more damage and potentially defeat your opponent faster.
• Untapping Creatures: Many spells and abilities that grant extra combat phases also untap your creatures, allowing them to attack again.
• Overwhelming Blockers: Even if your opponent has strong blockers, multiple attacks can eventually wear them down or force them to make unfavorable blocking decisions.
• Synergies: Many cards synergize with the act of attacking, triggering abilities or granting bonuses with each attack.

Example Scenario

Imagine you control Aurelia, the Warleader and a few other creatures. When Aurelia enters the battlefield, you gain an additional combat phase. You can now attack twice in a single turn, potentially dealing massive damage and forcing your opponent into a defensive position. This can be further enhanced by using a card like Aggravated Assault to generate even more combat phases, leading to a devastating onslaught.

Building Decks Around Extra Combat Phases

Decks designed to exploit multiple combat phases typically focus on the following:

• Creatures with High Power: Creatures that deal significant damage are essential for maximizing the impact of multiple attacks.
• Creatures with Abilities that Trigger on Attack: Creatures that trigger abilities when they attack synergize well with extra combat phases.
• Cards that Generate Additional Combat Phases: These are the core of the deck, providing the ability to attack multiple times.
• Cards that Untap Creatures: Untapping creatures allows them to attack again, maximizing their value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the combat phase in Magic: The Gathering:

1. What are the 5 phases of a turn in MTG?

The five phases of a turn in MTG are: Beginning phase, Pre-combat main phase, Combat phase, Post-combat main phase, and Ending phase.

2. What are the steps within the Combat Phase?

The steps of the Combat Phase are: Beginning of combat step, Declare attackers step, Declare blockers step, Combat damage step, and End of combat step.

3. Can I play a land during the combat phase?

No, you cannot play a land during the combat phase. You can only play a land during one of your main phases (pre-combat or post-combat), and only if the stack is empty and you have priority.

4. Can I equip a creature during combat?

Generally, no. Equipping an equipment card usually has the timing of a sorcery, meaning you can only do it during your main phase when the stack is empty. However, some equipment cards or abilities allow you to equip at instant speed.

5. What happens if a creature with deathtouch deals damage to an indestructible creature?

The indestructible creature survives. Indestructible prevents destruction, even from deathtouch. Deathtouch causes damage to be considered lethal damage.

6. Does trample work when blocking?

No. Trample only applies to attacking creatures. It has no effect when a creature with trample is blocking or is dealing noncombat damage.

7. What is the 75% rule in MTG?

The 75% philosophy in MTG is a deckbuilding approach that aims to create decks that are enjoyable and balanced for a variety of playgroups, especially when you don’t know the power level preferences of your opponents.

8. Can you play creatures after the combat phase?

Yes, you can play creatures during your post-combat main phase, provided you have the mana to do so and you haven’t already played a land that turn.

9. What happens to mana between phases?

Any unused mana in your mana pool dissipates at the end of each phase.

10. Can I declare no attackers during the combat phase?

Yes, you can choose to declare no attackers during your declare attackers step. This is a valid strategy in certain situations.

11. What is Rule 0 in MTG?

Rule 0 refers to the informal agreement among players to modify or ignore official rules for the sake of fun and enjoyment. It’s essentially the “house rules” of Magic: The Gathering.

12. What is the 21 commander damage rule?

A player loses the game if they have been dealt 21 or more combat damage from the same commander over the course of the game.

13. Do planeswalkers count as creatures?

No, planeswalkers are not creatures. However, some cards and abilities can temporarily turn a planeswalker into a creature.

14. How does cycling work?

Cycling is an ability that allows you to discard a card with cycling and draw a new card by paying the cycling cost.

15. Can I activate abilities during the combat phase?

Yes, you can activate abilities during the combat phase as long as you have priority and the ability doesn’t have any timing restrictions that prevent it.

Mastering the Combat Phase: A Path to Victory

Understanding the nuances of the combat phase and the ways to manipulate it with extra combat phases is a crucial skill for any aspiring MTG player. By mastering these strategies, you can unlock new levels of offensive power and dominate the battlefield. Don’t just accept the standard combat phase; seize control of it and bend it to your will! Visit Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to explore more about strategic gameplay and the fascinating world of games.