What if a creature has first strike and double strike?
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If a creature has both first strike and double strike, it deals combat damage the same as a creature with double strike, as the first strike ability is essentially redundant in this scenario, allowing the creature to deal damage twice. This means that the creature will deal damage during the first strike damage step and the regular damage step, but it won’t deal damage three times or before other creatures with first strike.
Understanding First Strike and Double Strike
To delve deeper into the interaction between first strike and double strike, it’s essential to understand what each ability does. First strike allows a creature to deal combat damage before other creatures, while double strike enables a creature to deal combat damage twice, during the first strike damage step and the regular damage step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are creatures with first strike and double strike?
A creature with first strike and double strike deals combat damage the same as a creature with double strike, and it doesn’t deal damage three times or before other creatures with first strike.
How does first strike work with 2 blockers?
When a creature with first strike is blocked by two creatures, it deals all its first strike damage at the same time, and once lethal damage has been assigned to one blocker, it assigns damage to the next blocker, all before the tokens get to deal damage.
Can a creature have multiple instances of double strike?
No, multiple instances of double strike (or of first strike) on the same creature are redundant, as stated in the Comprehensive Rules (C.R. 702.4e, 702.7d).
Does double strike override first strike?
Double strike isn’t first strike, and effects that make a creature lose first strike won’t make it lose double strike, as creatures with double strike and creatures with first strike deal combat damage in the first combat damage step.
What are first and double strike?
First strike is an ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage before other creatures, while double strike is a variation on first strike that allows creatures to deal damage during the first strike and regular combat steps.
What happens if you give a double strike creature double strike?
Giving a double strike creature double strike again has no effect, as multiple instances of double strike are redundant.
Does double strike count in blocking?
Yes, double strike also works when blocking, allowing the blocking creature to deal damage to the attacker in both the first strike damage phase and the normal damage phase.
Does double strike go through a blocker?
If a creature with double strike is blocked, it remains blocked even if the blocking creature dies to first strike, and the double strike creature’s remaining damage is not assigned to the player unless it has trample.
Does first strike beat Deathtouch?
A creature with first strike will hit first and can possibly kill the Deathtouch creature before it has a chance to hit, but if the Deathtouch creature survives, it can still deal damage and apply Deathtouch.
Is Double Strike only attacking?
No, double strike means the creature deals both first strike and normal combat damage, but it only “attacks” once.
Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch?
Any two instances of the Deathtouch ability against one another cancel out the Deathtouch ability.
Does Deathtouch work with fight?
Yes, Deathtouch works on attacking, blocking, and fighting effects, basically anytime a Deathtouch creature deals damage.
Does trample work when blocking?
No, trample is a static ability that modifies the rules for assigning an attacking creature’s combat damage and has no effect when a creature with trample is blocking or is dealing noncombat damage.
What creatures you control gain first strike until end of turn?
At the beginning of each combat, creatures you control gain first strike until end of turn if a creature you control has first strike, similar to other abilities like flying, Deathtouch, double strike, haste, hexproof, indestructible, lifelink, menace, reach, skulk, trample, and vigilance.
How does indestructible work in MTG?
Creatures with indestructible are impervious to any effects that normally destroy creatures, such as damage (including combat damage) and any effects that “destroy” a creature.
Does double strike work with trample?
Yes, trample works well with double strike, allowing creatures to deal twice as much damage during combat and assign excess damage to the player if the blocking creature is destroyed.
How does double strike work with multiple blockers?
When a creature with double strike is blocked by multiple creatures, it assigns its damage to the first blocker, and if that blocker is killed, any remaining damage can be assigned to the next blocker, provided that all creatures ahead of it in order have been assigned lethal damage.