How does trample work with double strike?

How Does Trample Work with Double Strike?

Trample and double strike are two powerful abilities in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. When combined, they can be a formidable force on the battlefield. But how exactly do they work together?

The Basics of Trample

Trample is an ability that allows a creature to deal excess damage to a player or planeswalker it’s attacking, rather than the creature blocking it. This means that if a creature with trample deals more damage to a creature than that creature can handle, the excess damage is dealt to the player or planeswalker. For example, if a 4/4 creature with trample attacks a 3/3 creature, the 4/4 creature deals 1 point of damage to the player or planeswalker.

The Basics of Double Strike

Double strike is an ability that allows a creature to deal damage during both the first and second combat damage steps. This means that the creature gets to deal its combat damage twice, once during the first strike and once during the regular combat damage step. For example, if a 3/3 creature with double strike attacks, it deals 3 points of damage to the opponent during the first strike and another 3 points of damage during the regular combat damage step.

How Trample Works with Double Strike

Now that we’ve covered the basics of trample and double strike, let’s talk about how they work together. When a creature with double strike and trample attacks, it deals its combat damage twice, once during the first strike and once during the regular combat damage step. If the creature’s combat damage exceeds the toughness of the creature blocking it, the excess damage is dealt to the player or planeswalker.

Here’s an example of how this works:

• A 6/6 creature with double strike and trample attacks a 4/4 creature.
• During the first strike, the 6/6 creature deals 6 points of damage to the 4/4 creature.
• The 4/4 creature has 4 toughness, so it can handle 4 points of damage. The excess 2 points of damage are dealt to the player or planeswalker.
• During the regular combat damage step, the 6/6 creature deals another 6 points of damage to the 4/4 creature.
• The 4/4 creature has already taken 4 points of damage, so it dies from the excess 2 points of damage.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Trample allows a creature to deal excess damage to a player or planeswalker if its combat damage exceeds the toughness of the creature blocking it.
• Double strike allows a creature to deal damage during both the first and second combat damage steps.
• When a creature with double strike and trample attacks, it deals its combat damage twice, once during the first strike and once during the regular combat damage step.
• Excess damage from the first strike is dealt to the player or planeswalker, and excess damage from the regular combat damage step is dealt to the creature blocking it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trample and double strike are two powerful abilities that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. When combined, they can deal significant damage to your opponent’s life total and creatures on the battlefield. By understanding how they work together, you can use them effectively to gain an advantage in your games.

References

• Magic: The Gathering Comprehensive Rules
• Magic: The Gathering Official FAQ

Additional Resources

• MTG Salvation’s Trample and Double Strike Article
• The Commander’s Quarters’ Trample and Double Strike Article