How Do You Assign Damage with Trample in Magic: The Gathering?
Trample is a powerful ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows a creature to have excess damage dealt to it ignored instead of being assigned to the defending creature or player. In this article, we will explore the rules of trample in detail and provide guidance on how to assign damage with trample. Trample is a double-edged sword, and careful planning is required to make the most out of this ability.
The Baseline Rule
The baseline rule states that when a creature with trample deals combat damage to a opponent-controlled creature or player, the defending entity must first be assigned 1 point of damage for every 1 point of damage the attacker dealt. This is stated in the Comprehensive Rules (701.16) as "Assign sufficient damage to the blocking creature or controlling player to equal the attacking creature’s power."
Beyond the Baseline
However, when trample is involved, the situation becomes more nuanced. When a creature with trample deals combat damage to a opposing creature or player, you must apply the trample rule before assigning 1 point of damage for every point of damage the attacker dealt. As stated in the Comprehensive Rules (703.3), "If damage would be dealt to a creature or plant with trample, the additional damage is dealt to it instead of an opponent."
Assigning Damages with Trample
Assuming a 3/3 creature with trample is attacking a creature with 2 toughness, here are the steps to assign damage:
- Apply the trample rule: Since there is excess damage (5 points of damage), the 5 points of damage are dealt directly to the blocking creature, ignoring toughness.
- Assign the remaining damage (2 points): Since the blocking creature has 2 toughness, it can only ignore 2 points of damage. The other 3 points of damage are assigned to its controller.
Example: Excess Damage and Trample Interaction
Suppose a player controls a 2/2 creature and attack with a 3/3 creature having trample. The blocking creature’s toughness is 2. Here, the excess damage (1) over the blocking creature’s toughness is dealt as the attacker chooses to the blocking creature or its controller.
| Damage | Blocking Creature | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | None | 1 |
Preventions and Interactions
Some sources of prevention and interaction on trample include:
- Fog: Prevents damage from being assigned to the blocking creature.
- Deathtouch: Kills whatever it deals damage to, forcing the excess damage to be assigned to an opponent.
- Super Trample: A different and often stronger version of trample that allows excess damage to be dealt to any target chosen by the controller.
Conclusion: Mastering Trample
Applying trample correctly may seem daunting at first, but with patience and practice, you can master this strategy. Remember to always apply trample before assigning damage under the baseline rule. With trample, you can create complex and powerful turns, making it an essential ability for constructing competitive decks.