Does 0 Damage Count as Combat Damage?
When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, combat damage is a critical aspect of the game that determines how creatures interact with each other. One common question among players is: Does 0 damage count as combat damage? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and dive deeper into the intricacies of combat damage.
Direct Answer: No, 0 damage does not count as combat damage.
According to Magic: The Gathering Official Rulebook, combat damage is the damage dealt by a creature during the combat phase of a turn. Any damage that is not 0 does indeed count as combat damage. However, 0 damage does not fit the definition of combat damage and is not recorded as such.
How Does This Work in Practice?
When a creature with a power value of 0 is attacked, it is considered a non-combat attack, and no damage is dealt. This means that even if a player tries to assign 0 damage from a creature to a blocking creature, no combat damage is dealt.
Scenarios:
Here are a few scenarios to help illustrate this concept:
Scenario 1: A player controls a 0-power creature that attacks another player. When the other player blocks, the combat damage step proceeds as usual, but the creature dealing the attack only has 0 power.
Conclusion: Since 0 is not a value greater than 0, no damage is dealt, and therefore, no combat damage is recorded.
Scenario 2: A player controls a creature with a power value of 0 that has indestructible. Even if a player tries to destroy it with a destructive ability or spell, it won’t be destroyed because indestructible protects it from all destruction.
Conclusion: 0 damage does not count as combat damage because it’s not a meaningful damage value.
Comparison: Non-Combat Damage vs Combat Damage
Here’s a table highlighting the key differences between non-combat and combat damage:
| Type of Damage | Definition | Recordation |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Combat Damage | Any damage dealt that is not combat damage (e.g., poison, abilities) | Recorded and accounted for |
| Combat Damage | Damage dealt during the combat phase by creatures with positive power | Only recorded and accounted for when damage value is greater than 0 |
Wrap-Up:
In summary, 0 damage does not count as combat damage. While it may be confusing, this rule follows the Official Rulebook definition of combat damage, and its intent is to make sure creatures with 0 power are not considered damaged in any way. Now, next time you find yourself facing a 0-power creature, you can confidently answer the question with: No, 0 damage does not count as combat damage.
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