Banding vs. Bands with Other: A Deep Dive into Magic’s Combat Mechanics
The key difference between banding and bands with other lies in their exclusivity and origin. Banding is a general ability that allows any number of creatures with banding (and up to one without) to attack together as a band. Bands with other, on the other hand, is a specific form of banding that restricts which creatures can form a band together, and its loss always coincides with the loss of general banding if affected by an effect. Essentially, “bands with other” is a specialized subset of the larger “banding” ability.
Understanding Banding
What is Banding?
Banding is a static ability in Magic: The Gathering that significantly alters how combat damage is assigned. Introduced in the early days of Magic, banding grants a player controlling attacking or blocking creatures the power to dictate how damage is distributed among the creatures within the band. This is most impactful when blocking, as the controller of the banding creatures can choose to assign damage to a specific creature within the band, even if it exceeds the lethal amount. This can protect weaker creatures or strategically utilize abilities triggered by taking damage.
How Banding Works
- Attacking: Any number of creatures with banding can form an attacking band, along with a single creature without banding. All creatures in the band must attack the same player or planeswalker.
- Blocking: While defending players cannot declare bands, creatures with banding can benefit from the ability when blocking. If a creature blocks a band, it blocks the entire band. However, the controller of the banding creatures assigns combat damage dealt by the blocking creature. This allows for strategic damage assignment to protect key creatures.
- Trample: One of the most significant uses of banding is its interaction with trample. The controller of the banding creatures can assign all damage, even excess trample damage, to one of their creatures. For example, imagine you are blocking a creature with trample. Ordinarily, any damage beyond lethal damage dealt to the blocker would trample over to you. With banding, however, you can assign all of the damage to the blocking creature.
Why is Banding Complex?
Banding is notoriously complex because it fundamentally changes the default damage assignment rules. It requires a solid understanding of combat phases and priority. Newer players often struggle to grasp its intricacies. Because of its confusing nature, it’s rarely seen on new cards, despite occasional calls for its return in more streamlined forms.
Unpacking “Bands with Other”
What is “Bands with Other”?
“Bands with other” is a more restrictive variant of banding. It appears as “Bands with Other [creature type/name]” meaning that the creature can only band with creatures specified (Ex: “Bands with Other Legends”). Unlike general banding, which allows any number of creatures with banding (and one without) to form a band, “bands with other” limits the composition of the band.
How “Bands with Other” Works
The process is much the same as vanilla banding with one major caveat. This creature can only band with the creatures that the text allows.
Losing Banding and “Bands with Other”
The article mentions that, “If an effect causes a permanent to lose banding, the permanent loses all “bands with other” abilities as well.” This is key to consider when you are in a game.
Banding in Different Formats
Is Banding Legal in Magic The Gathering?
Banding is legal in formats where cards with the ability are legal, such as Vintage and Commander. However, it’s important to note that few modern cards possess banding, making it an uncommon sight in contemporary gameplay. Cards that have it are usually from older sets.
Is Banding Sliver Legal?
Banding Sliver, printed in Mystery Booster/The List, is not typically tournament legal due to its special set symbol. However, it is legal in casual formats like Commander, where many players embrace the nostalgic chaos it brings to the table. It has also been printed in other forms that are legal in other formats such as Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Banding
1. How does banding interact with multiple blockers?
If multiple creatures block a band, the controller of the banding creatures still assigns combat damage dealt by each blocking creature. They can distribute the damage as they see fit among the creatures in the band.
2. Can I choose to not use banding if I have a creature with banding?
Yes! Banding is optional. You can choose to attack or block without forming a band even if you have creatures with the ability.
3. If my opponent has a creature with protection from a color, can it block my entire band if one creature in the band is of that color?
Yes. If a blocking creature can block any one creature in the band due to a mechanic like protection, it blocks the entire band. The damage assignment is still controlled by the controller of the banding creatures.
4. How does banding work with first strike or double strike?
The damage from first strike is assigned as normal. If creatures with banding are involved, the controller of the banding creatures assigns the damage dealt during the first strike combat damage step. The same logic applies to the second combat damage step involving double strike.
5. Can creatures with “bands with other” band with creatures that only share a type?
No. “Bands with other” is very specific. The creatures must match exactly what’s stated on the card. For example, a creature with “Bands with Other Legends” can only band with other creatures that have the “Legendary” supertype.
6. If I have multiple creatures with “bands with other” specifications that overlap, can they all band together?
Yes, as long as they each meet their individual banding requirements. For example, if you have a creature with “Bands with Other Knights” and another with “Bands with Other Warriors,” and you control a creature that is both a Knight and a Warrior, those two banding creatures can both band with it.
7. What happens if a creature with banding leaves a band during combat?
Once a band has been declared (either in the Declare Attackers or Declare Blockers step), that band will remain a band even if the creature with banding somehow loses banding or leaves the battlefield. The combat damage will be assigned according to the initial band declaration.
8. Can a creature with banding band with another creature that has summoning sickness?
Yes, you can include a creature with summoning sickness in an attacking band. Summoning sickness only prevents the creature from attacking on its own or using abilities with the tap or untap symbol in their costs. It doesn’t prevent it from being part of a band.
9. Is banding an evergreen mechanic?
No. Banding is not an evergreen mechanic. It’s a relatively obscure and complex mechanic that is rarely seen in modern Magic: The Gathering. It’s more of a nostalgic callback to the game’s early years.
10. How does banding interact with deathtouch?
When a creature with deathtouch deals damage to a creature within a band, that damage is lethal regardless of the amount. Even assigning 1 damage from a creature with deathtouch to a creature in a band is enough to destroy it, assuming no damage prevention effects are in play.
11. Where can I learn more about complex Magic: The Gathering rules?
There are numerous resources available online. Websites like the official Magic: The Gathering website, various MTG wikis, and online forums are great sources of information. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) also offers insights into the strategic and cognitive aspects of gaming, which can indirectly enhance your understanding of complex game mechanics.
12. Why was banding created?
Banding was created in the early days of Magic to add a layer of tactical depth to combat. It was intended to simulate the idea of creatures fighting together and supporting each other.
13. What are the strategic implications of banding?
Banding allows players to make calculated decisions about damage assignment, protect valuable creatures, and manipulate combat outcomes in their favor. It can be used to mitigate trample damage, protect smaller creatures by redirecting damage to larger ones, and create advantageous blocking scenarios.
14. How does banding compare to other combat mechanics like battle cry or mentor?
Unlike battle cry or mentor, which directly buff attacking creatures, banding is a more defensive and strategic mechanic that focuses on damage assignment and protection. It’s less about increasing power and more about controlling the flow of combat.
15. What’s the best way to practice and master banding?
The best way to master banding is to play games with cards that feature the ability. Experiment with different banding combinations, explore various combat scenarios, and analyze how damage is assigned to fully grasp its intricacies.