Does 0 Count as Combat Damage in Magic?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, combat damage is a crucial aspect of the game. It’s the damage dealt to a player or planeswalker by creatures during the combat phase. But what happens when a creature deals 0 damage? Does 0 count as combat damage? In this article, we’ll delve into the rules and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.
Direct Answer
According to the Comprehensive Rules of Magic: The Gathering, if a source would deal 0 damage, it does not deal damage at all. This means that if a creature would deal 0 damage, it does not trigger any abilities that trigger on damage being dealt.
Why 0 is Not Combat Damage
There are several reasons why 0 is not considered combat damage:
- No damage is dealt: If a creature would deal 0 damage, it means that no damage is actually dealt to the opponent. Combat damage is defined as the damage dealt to a player or planeswalker by creatures during the combat phase, so if no damage is dealt, it’s not combat damage.
- No triggers: As mentioned earlier, if a creature would deal 0 damage, it does not trigger any abilities that trigger on damage being dealt. This means that abilities that trigger on combat damage, such as those that say "deal 2 damage to any target," will not trigger if the creature deals 0 damage.
- No effects: Dealing 0 damage does not have any effects on the game state. It does not cause any life totals to change, and it does not trigger any abilities that care about combat damage.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate why 0 is not combat damage:
- Curiosity: A creature with 0 power deals no damage during the combat phase. If you put Curiosity on this creature, you won’t draw any cards in combat, even if the creature is unblocked.
- Sorcerer’s Wand: A creature with 0 power deals no damage during the combat phase. If you use Sorcerer’s Wand to deal damage to a creature, it will not trigger if the creature deals 0 damage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 0 does not count as combat damage in Magic: The Gathering. If a source would deal 0 damage, it does not deal damage at all, and it does not trigger any abilities that trigger on damage being dealt. This is an important rule to keep in mind when playing the game, as it can affect the outcome of battles and the game state.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if a creature deals 0 damage?
- The creature does not deal damage, and it does not trigger any abilities that trigger on damage being dealt.
- Do abilities that trigger on combat damage trigger if a creature deals 0 damage?
- No, they do not trigger.
- Does dealing 0 damage have any effects on the game state?
- No, it does not.
Table: Combat Damage vs. Non-Combat Damage
| Combat Damage | Non-Combat Damage | |
|---|---|---|
| Deals damage | Yes | No |
| Triggers abilities | Yes | No |
| Affects game state | Yes | No |
Bullets List: Key Points
- 0 does not count as combat damage in Magic: The Gathering.
- If a source would deal 0 damage, it does not deal damage at all.
- Abilities that trigger on combat damage do not trigger if a creature deals 0 damage.
- Dealing 0 damage does not have any effects on the game state.
I hope this article has provided a comprehensive answer to the question of whether 0 counts as combat damage in Magic: The Gathering. Remember to keep this rule in mind when playing the game, and happy gaming!