Does Annihilator Trigger Twice with Double Strike?
In Magic: The Gathering, Annihilator is a powerful keyword ability that allows a creature to destroy a certain number of permanents when it attacks. Double Strike, on the other hand, is a mechanic that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice during the combat phase. But what happens when a creature with Annihilator also has Double Strike? Does Annihilator trigger twice with Double Strike?
The Answer
According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, Annihilator only triggers once during the Declare Attackers Step, regardless of whether the creature has Double Strike or not. This means that if a creature with Annihilator attacks, it will only destroy the specified number of permanents once, not twice.
Why Does Annihilator Only Trigger Once?
The reason Annihilator only triggers once is because it is a triggered ability that is tied to the creature’s attack. When a creature attacks, it triggers Annihilator once, and then the combat phase continues as normal. Double Strike, on the other hand, is a separate mechanic that allows the creature to deal combat damage twice. These two mechanics are separate and do not interact with each other in a way that would cause Annihilator to trigger twice.
What About Blocking?
Some players may wonder what happens if a creature with Annihilator is blocked by a creature with Double Strike. In this case, the blocking creature will deal combat damage twice, but the creature with Annihilator will still only destroy the specified number of permanents once. This is because Annihilator is a triggered ability that is tied to the creature’s attack, not the blocking creature’s attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Annihilator does not trigger twice with Double Strike. It is a triggered ability that is tied to the creature’s attack, and it will only destroy the specified number of permanents once, regardless of whether the creature has Double Strike or not. This is an important consideration for players who are building decks with creatures that have both Annihilator and Double Strike.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Does Annihilator trigger twice with Double Strike?
- A: No, Annihilator only triggers once during the Declare Attackers Step, regardless of whether the creature has Double Strike or not.
- Q: Why does Annihilator only trigger once?
- A: Annihilator is a triggered ability that is tied to the creature’s attack, and it will only trigger once during the Declare Attackers Step.
- Q: What happens if a creature with Annihilator is blocked by a creature with Double Strike?
- A: The blocking creature will deal combat damage twice, but the creature with Annihilator will still only destroy the specified number of permanents once.
Table: Annihilator and Double Strike
| Annihilator | Double Strike | |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Once during Declare Attackers Step | Twice during combat phase |
| Interaction | No interaction with Double Strike | Separate mechanic, does not interact with Annihilator |
Bullets: Key Points
• Annihilator is a triggered ability that is tied to the creature’s attack.
• Annihilator only triggers once during the Declare Attackers Step.
• Double Strike is a separate mechanic that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice.
• Annihilator and Double Strike do not interact with each other in a way that would cause Annihilator to trigger twice.
• If a creature with Annihilator is blocked by a creature with Double Strike, the blocking creature will deal combat damage twice, but the creature with Annihilator will still only destroy the specified number of permanents once.