What does trample do in Magic: The Gathering?

What Does Trample Do in Magic: The Gathering?

Trample is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that can significantly impact the outcome of a game. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of what trample does and how it works.

Direct Answer

Trample is a keyword ability that changes the rules for assigning damage in the Combat Damage Step. An attacker with trample deals excess damage to the defending player, planeswalker, or creature even if it is blocked.

How Trample Works

When a creature with trample attacks, it deals its normal damage to the defending creature or player. However, if the defending creature has a toughness greater than or equal to the attacking creature’s power, the excess damage is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker.

Here’s an example:

• A 7/7 trampling creature attacks a 2/2 creature.
• The 2/2 creature blocks the 7/7 creature.
• The 7/7 creature deals 5 damage to the 2/2 creature (since its power is 7 and the toughness of the 2/2 creature is 2).
• The remaining 2 damage is dealt to the defending player or planeswalker.

Does Trample Pass Indestructible?

Indestructible is a keyword ability that prevents a creature from being destroyed. Trample does not pass indestructible, meaning that if a creature with trample attacks an indestructible creature, the indestructible creature will not be destroyed. However, the excess damage will still be dealt to the defending player or planeswalker.

How Trample Interacts with Deathtouch

Deathtouch is a keyword ability that allows a creature to kill any creature it deals damage to. Trample does not interact with deathtouch in a unique way. If a creature with trample deals damage to a creature with deathtouch, the deathtouch ability will still trigger and kill the creature.

Table: Trample and Combat Damage

Conclusion

Trample is a powerful keyword ability that can turn the tide of a game in your favor. By dealing excess damage to the defending player or planeswalker, trample can help you overcome larger creatures and planeswalkers. Understanding how trample works and interacts with other keyword abilities is crucial for building a competitive Magic: The Gathering deck.