How does first strike vs first strike work?

How Does First Strike vs First Strike Work?

When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, the concept of first strike is a crucial aspect of combat. But what happens when two creatures with first strike abilities face off against each other? In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of first strike vs first strike and explore the rules and strategies involved.

First Strike: A Quick Refresher

Before we dive into the specifics of first strike vs first strike, let’s quickly review what first strike is. First strike is a keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage to an opponent before that opponent’s creatures can deal damage to it. This means that if a creature with first strike is attacking, it will deal its damage first, and then the opponent’s creatures will deal their damage.

First Strike vs First Strike: The Basics

When two creatures with first strike abilities face off against each other, the combat resolution process is slightly different. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what happens:

1. Declare Attackers and Blockers: Players declare their attackers and blockers, just like in a normal combat.
2. Assign Combat Damage: Players assign combat damage from the attackers to the blockers, just like in a normal combat.
3. First Strike Step: The first strike step occurs, where the creatures with first strike abilities deal their combat damage to the opponent.
4. Assign Remaining Damage: After the first strike step, any remaining damage is assigned to the opponent.

Key Takeaways

Here are some key points to keep in mind when dealing with first strike vs first strike:

• Both creatures deal damage in the first strike step: Both creatures with first strike abilities deal their combat damage in the first strike step, regardless of their power or toughness.
• No additional combat damage is dealt: After the first strike step, no additional combat damage is dealt. The combat is effectively over, and the game moves on to the next turn.
• No trample or lifelink applies: Trample and lifelink abilities do not apply during the first strike step, as the combat damage is being dealt before the opponent’s creatures can deal damage.

Strategies and Considerations

When facing off against an opponent with a creature that has first strike, here are some strategies to consider:

• Use creatures with higher power: If you have a creature with higher power than your opponent’s, you may be able to deal more damage in the first strike step and take out their creature.
• Use creatures with lower toughness: If you have a creature with lower toughness than your opponent’s, you may be able to take out their creature in the first strike step, even if they have a higher power.
• Use abilities that trigger on combat damage: Abilities that trigger on combat damage, such as Deathtouch or Trample, may not trigger during the first strike step. Consider using these abilities on creatures that don’t have first strike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, first strike vs first strike is a unique and important aspect of Magic: The Gathering combat. By understanding the rules and strategies involved, you can make informed decisions and improve your gameplay. Remember to always keep in mind the key takeaways and consider the strategies and considerations outlined above. Happy gaming!