Is Deathtouch like first strike?

Is Deathtouch like First Strike?

Deathtouch and First Strike are two distinct abilities in Magic: The Gathering that can be a bit confusing for new players. While they both involve dealing damage to creatures, they work in different ways and have different effects on the game. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of both abilities and explore the differences between them.

Deathtouch: What is it?

Deathtouch is a static ability that allows a creature to kill any creature it deals damage to, unless that creature is indestructible. This means that if a creature with deathtouch attacks a non-indestructible creature, the defending creature will be destroyed immediately, without any chance to block or defend itself.

Is Deathtouch like First Strike?

The short answer is no. Deathtouch and First Strike are two distinct abilities that work in different ways. While both allow a creature to deal damage to another creature, Deathtouch is a static ability that destroys the defending creature, whereas First Strike is a triggered ability that allows a creature to deal damage to the opposing creature before the opposing creature can block.

How does Deathtouch work?

Here’s how Deathtouch works:

• A creature with deathtouch deals damage to a non-indestructible creature.
• The defending creature is destroyed immediately, without any chance to block or defend itself.
• If the defending creature is indestructible, it will survive the attack.

How does First Strike work?

Here’s how First Strike works:

• A creature with First Strike deals damage to the opposing creature before the opposing creature can block.
• The opposing creature can still block the attack, but the damage has already been dealt.
• If the opposing creature does not block the attack, the creature with First Strike will deal its full damage.

Key differences between Deathtouch and First Strike

Here are some key differences between Deathtouch and First Strike:

• Timing: Deathtouch destroys the defending creature immediately, while First Strike deals damage to the opposing creature before the opposing creature can block.
• Effect: Deathtouch destroys the defending creature, while First Strike deals damage to the opposing creature.
• Indestructibility: Deathtouch will not destroy an indestructible creature, while First Strike will still deal damage to an indestructible creature.

Examples

Here are some examples of how Deathtouch and First Strike work:

• Example 1: A 2/2 creature with deathtouch attacks a 1/1 creature. The 1/1 creature is destroyed immediately.
• Example 2: A 2/2 creature with First Strike attacks a 1/1 creature. The 2/2 creature deals its full damage to the 1/1 creature before the 1/1 creature can block.
• Example 3: A 2/2 creature with deathtouch attacks an indestructible 1/1 creature. The 2/2 creature does not destroy the 1/1 creature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Deathtouch and First Strike are two distinct abilities that work in different ways. While both allow a creature to deal damage to another creature, Deathtouch is a static ability that destroys the defending creature, whereas First Strike is a triggered ability that allows a creature to deal damage to the opposing creature before the opposing creature can block. Understanding the differences between these two abilities is crucial for building a successful Magic: The Gathering deck.

Table: Comparison of Deathtouch and First Strike

Table: Examples of Deathtouch and First Strike

I hope this article has helped to clarify the differences between Deathtouch and First Strike. If you have any further questions or would like to learn more about Magic: The Gathering, please don’t hesitate to ask.