What are the Rules for Attack and Block in Magic?
In Magic: The Gathering, attacking and blocking are crucial parts of the gameplay. In this article, we will delve into the rules surrounding these actions and provide a comprehensive guide on how to navigate them effectively.
Attacking
When it comes to attacking, the rules are relatively straightforward. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- The active player’s turn: During the combat phase of the active player’s turn, creatures that player controls may attack.
- Targeting: When attacking, creatures target specific creatures or planeswalkers. You can’t attack an empty zone, such as the opponent’s life total or an untapped land.
- Blockability: Any attacking creature can be blocked, regardless of its power or toughness.
- Attacking and blocking: If a creature is blocked, it is removed from combat and doesn’t deal any damage.
Blocking
Blocking is the act of defending against an attacking creature. Here are some essential rules to remember:
- Declaring blockers: During the combat phase, the defending player declares which creatures they will use to block. Only creatures that can block (i.e., untapped creatures with summoning sickness) can be declared as blockers.
- Order of blocking: The defending player declares the order in which their blockers will block. This is important, as it determines the sequence in which the creatures will deal damage.
- Blocking multiple creatures: Yes, you can block multiple creatures with a single creature. However, the order in which the creatures are blocked will determine the order in which they deal damage.
- Blocking a single creature: Yes, you can also block a single creature with a single creature.
Order of Operations
When blocking, the order of operations is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Declare blockers: The defending player declares which creatures they will use to block.
- Order of blocking: The defending player declares the order in which their blockers will block.
- Declare attacking creatures: The attacking player declares which creatures they will attack with.
- Assign damage: The creatures that were not blocked deal damage to the opponent’s life total. The blocked creatures deal damage to the blockers in the order they were declared.
- Cleanup: The creatures that were blocked are removed from combat.
Table: Order of Operations
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Declare blockers |
| 2 | Order of blocking |
| 3 | Declare attacking creatures |
| 4 | Assign damage |
| 5 | Cleanup |
Example Scenario
Let’s consider an example scenario to illustrate the rules:
- You have two creatures, each with 2 power and 2 toughness, untapped and ready to attack.
- Your opponent has a single creature, also with 2 power and 2 toughness, tapped and unable to block.
- You declare your first creature to attack, targeting your opponent’s creature.
- Your opponent declares their single creature to block, targeting your first attacking creature.
- You declare your second creature to attack, targeting your opponent’s remaining life total.
- Since the first attacking creature was blocked, it doesn’t deal any damage. Your second creature deals 2 damage to your opponent’s life total.
In Summary
In Magic: The Gathering, attacking and blocking are crucial parts of the gameplay. By following the rules outlined above, you can navigate these actions effectively and improve your gameplay. Remember to declare your blockers, order of blocking, and attacking creatures, and always keep in mind the order of operations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the rules for attack and block in Magic: The Gathering is essential for improving your gameplay. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can become a more confident and skilled player.