First Strike vs. Double Strike: The Ultimate Blocking Showdown
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’ve got a creature with First Strike staring down a beefy attacker with Double Strike. A classic Magic: The Gathering (MTG) scenario! What exactly happens?
The short answer: The creature with First Strike will deal its damage in the first combat damage step. If that damage is enough to kill the Double Strike creature, the Double Strike creature won’t deal any damage back in the first combat damage step or the regular combat damage step. If the First Strike creature doesn’t kill the Double Strike creature, both creatures will deal damage to each other in the first combat damage step, and the Double Strike creature will also deal damage in the regular combat damage step. Let’s break this down further.
Understanding Combat Damage Steps
To truly grasp this interaction, let’s briefly revisit the combat steps in MTG. Combat proceeds as follows:
- Beginning of Combat Step
- Declare Attackers Step
- Declare Blockers Step
- Combat Damage Step: This is where the magic (pun intended!) happens. The Combat Damage Step is further divided into two parts:
- First Combat Damage Step: Creatures with First Strike or Double Strike deal damage.
- Regular Combat Damage Step: Creatures without First Strike or Double Strike, and creatures with Double Strike, deal damage.
- End of Combat Step
The key is that creatures with First Strike get to swing first (hence the name) in a dedicated combat damage step. Double Strike essentially grants a creature the ability to deal damage both in the First Combat Damage Step and the Regular Combat Damage Step.
Scenarios and Examples
Let’s consider some practical scenarios to illustrate the interaction between First Strike and Double Strike when blocking:
-
Scenario 1: First Strike Kills the Double Strike Creature
- A 2/2 creature with First Strike blocks a 2/2 creature with Double Strike.
- In the First Combat Damage Step, the 2/2 First Strike creature deals 2 damage to the 2/2 Double Strike creature, killing it.
- The Double Strike creature deals no damage, either in the First Combat Damage Step or the Regular Combat Damage Step, because it is dead.
- The 2/2 First Strike creature survives unscathed.
-
Scenario 2: First Strike Doesn’t Kill the Double Strike Creature
- A 1/1 creature with First Strike blocks a 3/3 creature with Double Strike.
- In the First Combat Damage Step, the 1/1 First Strike creature deals 1 damage to the 3/3 Double Strike creature, but it survives.
- In the First Combat Damage Step, the 3/3 Double Strike creature deals 3 damage to the 1/1 First Strike creature, killing it.
- In the Regular Combat Damage Step, the 3/3 Double Strike creature deals 3 damage to the 1/1 First Strike creature, but nothing happens, because the 1/1 creature is already dead.
-
Scenario 3: Both Creatures have Deathtouch
- A 1/1 with First Strike and Deathtouch blocks a 3/3 with Double Strike and Deathtouch.
- In the First Combat Damage Step, the 1/1 First Strike/Deathtouch creature deals 1 damage to the 3/3 Double Strike/Deathtouch creature. Due to Deathtouch, this is lethal damage, and the 3/3 dies.
- The 3/3 Double Strike/Deathtouch creature does not deal damage in either Combat Damage step due to being dead.
Key Takeaways
- Timing is Everything: The order in which damage is dealt is crucial. First Strike provides a significant advantage in combat.
- Lethal Damage Matters: If a creature deals lethal damage in the First Combat Damage Step, the other creature doesn’t get a chance to retaliate.
- Double Strike Doesn’t Guarantee Survival: While Double Strike provides two opportunities to deal damage, it doesn’t protect against First Strike.
FAQs: First Strike and Double Strike Blocking
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of First Strike and Double Strike interactions:
1. Does Double Strike include First Strike?
Yes, Double Strike is essentially a supercharged version of First Strike. A creature with Double Strike deals damage as though it has First Strike in the First Combat Damage Step, and then deals damage again in the Regular Combat Damage Step.
2. If my Double Strike creature kills the blocker with First Strike, does it deal the second damage to the player?
No. If a creature with Double Strike is blocked, it remains blocked, even if the blocking creature dies in the First Combat Damage Step; unless the attacking creature has trample. A common mistake is thinking the second strike will hit the player if the blocker dies, but that’s not how blocking works.
3. Can you double block a Double Strike creature?
Yes, you can double block a creature with Double Strike. The attacking creature must assign damage to the blockers in the order you choose. It must assign at least lethal damage to the first blocker before assigning any damage to the second.
4. Does First Strike beat Deathtouch?
It depends on the creature sizes. A creature with First Strike will deal its damage first. If that damage is enough to kill the creature with Deathtouch, the Deathtouch creature won’t deal any damage. If the creature with First Strike does not have enough power to kill the Deathtouch creature, both creatures deal damage during the first strike damage step. The Deathtouch creature will deal damage equal to its power and the First Strike creature will be destroyed.
5. Can you stack First Strike or Double Strike?
No. Multiple instances of First Strike or Double Strike on the same creature are redundant. A creature either has the ability or it doesn’t.
6. How does Indestructible interact with First Strike and Double Strike?
If a creature with Indestructible blocks a creature with First Strike, it will survive the damage from the First Combat Damage Step. Then, it will deal damage in the First Combat Damage Step, and, if it survives that, again in the Regular Combat Damage Step
7. Does First Strike or Double Strike affect Fight spells?
No, First Strike and Double Strike only affect combat. During a fight, both creatures deal damage simultaneously, regardless of whether they have First Strike or Double Strike.
8. Is Double Strike only relevant when attacking?
No, Double Strike is relevant whenever a creature deals combat damage, whether attacking or blocking.
9. How does Double Strike work with Trample?
If a creature with Double Strike has Trample and deals lethal damage to its blocker in the First Combat Damage Step, any remaining damage can be assigned to the defending player or planeswalker. In the Regular Combat Damage Step, if the creature has enough power, it can assign damage to the player even if it has already assigned lethal damage to the blocking creature, so long as it is at least equal to its power.
10. Does Double Strike trigger abilities twice?
Yes, if a creature with Double Strike deals combat damage, any “when this creature deals combat damage” abilities will trigger twice – once in the First Combat Damage Step and once in the Regular Combat Damage Step.
11. Does Double Strike give two poison counters with Infect?
Yes. If a creature with Double Strike has Infect and is unblocked, the defending player will receive one poison counter in the First Combat Damage Step and another in the Regular Combat Damage Step, for a total of two poison counters.
12. How does Double Strike work with multiple blockers?
The attacker assigns its damage to the blockers in the order declared. It must assign lethal damage to each blocker in order before assigning damage to the next. The attacker does this once in the First Combat Damage Step and again in the Regular Combat Damage Step, if the attacker survives until then.
13. What if both creatures have Double Strike?
The creatures deal damage at the same time in the First Combat Damage Step and the Regular Combat Damage Step.
14. Is First Strike a good ability?
First Strike can be a very strong ability, especially in creature-heavy decks. It allows your smaller creatures to trade up with larger threats or survive combats they wouldn’t otherwise win.
15. Where can I learn more about Magic: The Gathering mechanics?
For a deeper dive into game mechanics and educational resources, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society can offer many insights into the educational aspects of games.
Understanding the intricacies of First Strike and Double Strike is crucial for becoming a skilled MTG player. By mastering these concepts, you can make better decisions in combat and gain a significant advantage over your opponents!