Does first strike count when blocking?

Does First Strike Count When Blocking?

When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, understanding the rules of combat is crucial to making the most of your creatures and winning games. One of the most important concepts to grasp is the concept of First Strike. But what happens when a creature with First Strike is blocked? Does it still deal its damage, or does the blocking creature get a chance to deal its damage first?

Direct Answer: Yes, First Strike Counts When Blocking

According to the official Magic: The Gathering rules, First Strike does indeed count when blocking. When a creature with First Strike attacks, it will deal its damage before the blocking creature deals its damage. This means that if a creature with First Strike is blocked, it will still deal its damage to the blocking creature, and then the blocking creature will deal its damage back to the attacking creature.

How First Strike Works When Blocking

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how First Strike works when blocking:

1. Declare Attackers: The attacking player declares which creatures they will attack with.
2. Declare Blockers: The defending player declares which creatures they will block with.
3. First Strike: The attacking creature with First Strike deals its damage to the blocking creature.
4. Blocking Creature Deals Damage: The blocking creature deals its damage to the attacking creature.
5. Remaining Damage: Any remaining damage from the attacking creature is dealt to the blocking creature.

Example Scenario

Let’s say you have a 2/2 creature with First Strike, and your opponent has a 2/2 creature with no special abilities. You attack with your creature, and your opponent blocks with their creature. Here’s what happens:

• Your 2/2 creature with First Strike deals 2 damage to your opponent’s 2/2 creature.
• Your opponent’s 2/2 creature deals 2 damage back to your 2/2 creature.
• Since both creatures have 2 life remaining, the game continues.

Double Strike and First Strike

It’s worth noting that Double Strike and First Strike work together in a similar way. When a creature with Double Strike attacks, it will deal its damage twice: once during the combat damage step, and again during the end step. When a creature with First Strike is blocked, it will deal its damage first, and then the blocking creature will deal its damage back. This means that if a creature with Double Strike is blocked, it will deal its damage twice, and then the blocking creature will deal its damage back.

Conclusion

In conclusion, First Strike does indeed count when blocking. When a creature with First Strike is blocked, it will deal its damage before the blocking creature deals its damage. Understanding how First Strike works when blocking is crucial to making the most of your creatures and winning games in Magic: The Gathering.