How does first strike work with 2 blockers?

How Does First Strike Work with 2 Blockers?

First strike is a crucial concept in Magic: The Gathering that can greatly impact the outcome of a combat. In this article, we’ll delve into the rules surrounding first strike and its interaction with multiple blockers. Specifically, we’ll answer the question: How does first strike work with 2 blockers?

Does First Strike Work on Multiple Blockers?

Yes, it does! The attacking creature may divide its damage among all declared blockers. This means that if you attack with a creature that has first strike, your opponent can block it with multiple creatures, and you’ll still get to deal damage with your creature.

Assigning Damage with First Strike

When a creature with first strike attacks, you get to assign the damage first. This is an important distinction, as it means that you can potentially deal damage to your opponent’s creatures before they have a chance to assign any damage to your creatures.

Here’s an example of how this works:

You attack with your 3/3 creature that has first strike. Your opponent blocks with two 2/2 creatures. You get to assign the damage first, so you decide to deal 2 damage to one of the blocking creatures and 1 damage to the other.

| Blocker 1 | 0/2 |
| Blocker 2 | 1/2 |

After you’ve assigned the damage, your opponent gets to assign any remaining damage to your creatures. Since you’ve already dealt 3 damage, there is no remaining damage to assign.

What Happens if the Blocking Creatures Die?

If a blocking creature dies during the damage assignment step, it will no longer be blocking and will not receive any additional damage. This can create some interesting scenarios, as you may be able to take out multiple blocking creatures with a single attack.

Example: Taking Out Multiple Blockers

You attack with your 3/3 creature that has first strike. Your opponent blocks with two 2/2 creatures. You get to assign the damage first, so you decide to deal 2 damage to one of the blocking creatures and 1 damage to the other.

| Blocker 1 | 0/2 |
| Blocker 2 | 1/2 |

After you’ve assigned the damage, your opponent’s 2/2 creature with 0/2 HP dies. The 1/2 blocking creature is now the only blocker left. You can deal the remaining 1 damage to this creature, killing it.

In Summary

First strike allows you to assign damage to blockers before they assign any damage to your creatures. When blocking with multiple creatures, you can divide the damage among all of them. If a blocking creature dies during the damage assignment step, it will no longer be blocking and will not receive any additional damage.

Conclusion

First strike is a powerful ability that can greatly impact the outcome of a combat. Understanding how it interacts with multiple blockers is crucial for success in Magic: The Gathering. By following the rules outlined in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to take advantage of this ability and dominate your opponents.

Additional Resources

For more information on Magic: The Gathering rules and strategy, check out the official Magic: The Gathering website or consult with a Magic: The Gathering community member.