Double Strike vs. Deathtouch: A Comprehensive Guide
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The core difference between double strike and deathtouch lies in their function and timing within the combat phase of a game. Double strike is an ability that modifies when a creature deals combat damage, allowing it to deal damage both during the first combat damage step and the regular combat damage step. Deathtouch, on the other hand, is a static ability that makes any amount of damage dealt by a creature lethal to another creature. Essentially, double strike is about when damage is dealt, while deathtouch is about the effect of the damage.
Understanding Double Strike
Double strike is a powerful keyword ability that essentially grants a creature two opportunities to deal combat damage. Think of it like this: a creature with double strike gets to swing twice in the combat phase.
- First Combat Damage Step: Creatures with first strike or double strike deal combat damage at this time. If a creature with double strike destroys a blocking creature in this step, the double striking creature will still deal its regular combat damage in the next combat damage step – either to another blocker (if one exists), or to the defending player or planeswalker if the attacking creature has trample.
- Regular Combat Damage Step: All creatures, including those with double strike, that didn’t deal damage in the first step now deal their combat damage. Creatures with double strike will deal damage again during this step.
The implications of double strike are significant. A relatively small creature can take down a much larger blocker if its first strike damage is enough to eliminate the blocker before it can retaliate. Furthermore, double strike synergizes extremely well with other abilities like trample and infect, maximizing the damage output and potentially overwhelming opponents.
Understanding Deathtouch
Deathtouch is a far simpler ability, but no less impactful. It modifies the meaning of “lethal damage.”
- Lethal Damage Redefined: Normally, lethal damage is equal to a creature’s toughness. Deathtouch changes that, so any amount of damage dealt by a source with deathtouch is considered lethal. Even a single point of damage from a deathtouch creature is enough to destroy a creature.
Deathtouch excels at shutting down opposing attackers and making blocking a risky proposition. A tiny 1/1 creature with deathtouch can effectively stop a massive, powerful attacker in its tracks. The power of deathtouch lies in its ability to neutralize threats regardless of their size or power.
Double Strike vs. Deathtouch: A Head-to-Head
When a creature with double strike faces off against a creature with deathtouch, the outcome depends on the power of the double striking creature.
- Double Strike Dominance: If the double striking creature’s power is equal to or greater than the toughness of the deathtouch creature, the double striking creature will deal lethal damage in the first combat damage step, destroying the deathtouch creature before it can deal damage. The double striking creature then survives unscathed and gets to attack again.
- Deathtouch Advantage: If the double striking creature’s power is less than the toughness of the deathtouch creature, the double striking creature will deal non-lethal damage in the first combat damage step. The deathtouch creature will survive and then deal lethal damage back during the regular combat damage step, destroying the double striking creature.
- The Blocked Creature Situation: A common new player mistake is that double strike, if it kills the sole defender will then go on to hit the player. This isn’t true (unless you have trample and enough damage to hit the player with it).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does double strike count as two attacks?
No. The trigger, “Whenever ~ attacks” means “Whenever ~ is declared as an attacking creature.” A creature with double strike will deal damage in the two combat damage steps, but will only be declared as an attacker once per turn.
2. Does double strike effect fight?
Neither first strike nor double strike affects how fighting works. 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. Damage dealt while fighting is not combat damage, so abilities like first strike or Double strike won’t have any effect.
3. Can you block a creature with double strike?
Yes. If a creature with double strike is blocked, it remains blocked even if the blocking creature dies to first strike.
4. Do shield counters block Deathtouch?
Yes, shield counters work well against deathtouch because they’re a damage prevention effect. The lethal damage that would’ve been dealt from deathtouch is prevented by the shield counter.
5. Is there a card that gives all creatures Deathtouch?
Yes, one example is Venom Connoisseur. Alliance — Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, Venom Connoisseur gains deathtouch until end of turn. If this is the second time this ability has resolved this turn, all creatures you control gain deathtouch until end of turn.
6. Does preventing damage stop Deathtouch?
Yes, technically Deathtouch says that “any amount of damage dealt by a source is enough to kill the creature receiving the damage”, implying the damage has to be dealt in the first place and “Prevent all combat damage” should counter that.
7. How does double strike work with Deathtouch?
Deathtouch simply makes any (1+) amount of damage dealt to a Creature lethal damage. If a 3/3 with Double strike is blocked by a 1/1 with Deathtouch; initial Combat Damage step; The 3/3 deals lethal damage to the 1/1. The 1/1 dies.
8. Does Deathtouch work during fight?
Yes, the damage is dealt simultaneously, and it is dealt by the creatures themselves, so abilities like deathtouch, lifelink, and infect will work as normal.
9. Does Deathtouch override protection?
No, Protection does prevent damage so deathtouch will not have anything to modify.
10. Is double strike better than first strike?
Yes, double strike is a variation on first strike that allows creatures to deal damage during the first strike and regular combat steps. So, if a creature with double strike has two power, it’ll deal two damage twice (four damage in total)!
11. How does double strike work against one blocker?
This amount of damage kills the blocker. Double strike works the same way when attacking a player directly. The creature will deal first strike damage to the player equal to its toughness, and then it’ll deal that same amount of damage again alongside all the other creatures.
12. Does Double Strike give 2 poison counters?
Yes, If you have a 1/1 creature with Double Strike and Infect unblocked, your opponent would get 1 poison counter in the first strike damage step and 1 poison counter in the regular damage step, for a total of 2 poison counters.
13. Does double strike work with trample?
Yes, Trample also works well with double strike – an ability that allows creatures to deal twice as much damage during combat. Creatures with double strike deal damage during the first strike damage step and the regular damage step.
14. Does indestructible prevent damage?
No, indestructible does not prevent damage, it prevents damage from causing a creature to be destroyed. That damage needs to be done for lifelink to happen, and in the case of wither or infect, still will kill an indestructible creature due to loss of toughness.
15. Does trample work with Deathtouch?
Yes, if an attacking creature with deathtouch and trample becomes blocked, the attacking creature first assigns damage to the creature(s) blocking it. Since any amount of damage from a deathtouch creature is lethal, it only needs to assign 1 damage to each blocker to ensure they are destroyed. The rest of the damage can then be “trampled” over to the defending player or planeswalker.
Mastering the Combat Phase
Understanding the nuances of abilities like double strike and deathtouch is crucial for mastering the combat phase in your game. These abilities, when used strategically, can turn the tide of battle and lead you to victory. Don’t forget to check out organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, to further enhance your understanding of game mechanics and strategy. They are a great educational resource. The Games Learning Society offers valuable insights into the educational aspects of gaming.