Does First Strike Deal Damage Before Double Strike?
In the world of Magic: The Gathering, there are many intricacies and nuances to understanding the various game mechanics and abilities. One common question that many players ask is whether first strike deals damage before double strike. In this article, we’ll dive into the answer to this question and explore the rules surrounding these two abilities.
First Strike vs. Double Strike: A Quick Primer
Before we dive into the meat of the matter, let’s quickly review what each of these abilities does:
- First Strike: This is a static ability that allows a creature to deal its combat damage first, before the opponent’s creatures have a chance to deal damage.
- Double Strike: This is also a static ability that allows a creature to deal its combat damage twice, once during the first combat damage step and again during the regular combat damage step.
The Answer to the Question: Does First Strike Deal Damage Before Double Strike?
The short answer is no, first strike does not deal damage before double strike. In fact, according to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, double strike takes precedence over first strike.
Here’s the relevant text from the official Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules:
702.17. If a creature has both first strike and double strike, it will deal its combat damage first and then again in the second combat damage step.
The Priority Order of Abilities
It’s important to understand that abilities like first strike and double strike are applied in a specific order. According to the Magic: The Gathering rules, the order of priority is as follows:
- Deathtouch: If a creature has deathtouch, it will deal lethal damage to the opponent’s creatures and kill them.
- First Strike: Creatures with first strike will deal their combat damage first, before the opponent’s creatures have a chance to deal damage.
- Double Strike: Creatures with double strike will deal their combat damage twice, once during the first combat damage step and again during the regular combat damage step.
- Other Abilities: Other abilities, such as lifelink, menacers, and others, will be applied in the order they are written on the card.
Table: Priority Order of Abilities
| Priority Order | Ability |
|---|---|
| 1 | Deathtouch |
| 2 | First Strike |
| 3 | Double Strike |
| 4 | Other Abilities |
Example Scenarios
To illustrate how this works in practice, let’s look at a few example scenarios:
Scenario 1:
- A creature with double strike (e.g., a 2/2 creature) attacks an opponent.
- The opponent blocks with a 2/2 creature that has no abilities.
- The double strike creature deals its combat damage first (1 point of damage) and then again in the regular combat damage step (1 point of damage).
- The opponent’s creature is dealt 2 points of damage and is destroyed.
Scenario 2:
- A creature with first strike (e.g., a 2/2 creature) attacks an opponent.
- The opponent blocks with a 2/2 creature that has no abilities.
- The first strike creature deals its combat damage first (1 point of damage).
- The opponent’s creature is not destroyed and can still deal its combat damage in the regular combat damage step.
Conclusion
In conclusion, first strike does not deal damage before double strike. Instead, the priority order of abilities dictates that creatures with double strike will deal their combat damage twice, while creatures with first strike will deal their combat damage first. By understanding this order of priority, you can better strategize and optimize your game plan to outmaneuver your opponents.