Does Double Strike Work When Blocking

Does Double Strike Work When Blocking? A Comprehensive Guide to Magic: The Gathering's Combat

Magic: The Gathering's combat system can be complex, especially when dealing with abilities like double strike. This article will definitively answer the question: Does double strike work when blocking? We'll delve into the intricacies of combat phases and how double strike interacts with blocking, equipping you with the knowledge to dominate the battlefield.

Understanding Double Strike

Double strike is a powerful keyword ability found on many creatures. It allows a creature to deal combat damage during both the first and second combat damage steps. This effectively doubles the damage output of the creature, making it a formidable attacker. But what happens when this creature is blocked?

The Blocking Phase: A Crucial Step

The blocking phase is where players determine which creatures will block which attacking creatures. Crucially, the declaration of blockers doesn't affect the order or the number of damage steps. A double-striker will still get its two damage steps, regardless of whether it is blocked or not.

Damage Steps: Where the Action Happens

The combat damage step is where the actual damage is dealt. With a double-striking creature, this happens twice. Let's break down the scenario with an example:

Suppose you attack with a creature possessing double strike (let's call it "Double-Strike-Creature") with 4 power, and your opponent blocks it with a creature with 3 defense ("Blocking-Creature").

• First Combat Damage Step: Double-Strike-Creature deals 3 damage to Blocking-Creature (reducing Blocking-Creature's toughness to 0, thus destroying it). The excess damage (1) is not relevant as it cannot be redirected elsewhere unless the creature has other relevant effects.

• Second Combat Damage Step: The Blocking-Creature is already dead, so no further damage is blocked. The remaining damage from the Double-Strike-Creature (1 damage in this example) goes through to the opponent's life total.

Key Takeaways:

• Double strike works regardless of whether the creature is blocked or not. It gets to deal damage in both combat damage steps.
• Blocking only affects how much damage a creature deals in each step. It doesn't prevent the double strike ability from functioning.
• Damage is assigned one step at a time. The state of the battlefield after each damage step is crucial in determining the outcome.
• Trample doesn't change this fundamental rule. If your double-striking creature has trample and deals more damage than the blocker's toughness in the first combat damage step, the excess damage will be dealt to the opponent's life total, after the second combat damage step.

Beyond the Basics: Other Relevant Abilities

While double strike is potent on its own, it can interact with other abilities in fascinating ways. Abilities like deathtouch, lifelink, and first strike can alter the damage dealt and the overall outcome of combat significantly.

Conclusion: Mastering Double Strike in Combat

Understanding how double strike works in blocking is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering combat. By knowing that double strike gets its two damage steps regardless of blockers, and that each step is independent, you can better anticipate combat outcomes and build more effective strategies. Remember to analyze the situation carefully, paying attention to each damage step, and the presence of other relevant creature abilities, to maximize your advantage on the battlefield.