What Happens if You Tap a Blocking Creature?
When two creatures engage in combat, the outcome is often uncertain until the end of the turn. However, there is one aspect of combat resolution that is often overlooked – what happens when you tap a blocking creature? This article aims to clarify this question and provide insight into the effects of tapping a blocking creature.
Why Tapping a Blocking Creature Matters
Before we delve into the specifics, let’s discuss why tapping a blocking creature is important. When you tap a blocking creature, you are essentially removing it from the battlefield until the end of the turn. This can have a significant impact on the rest of the game, particularly if the creature is able to attack or block subsequent turns. Understanding what happens when you tap a blocking creature is crucial for players who want to make strategic decisions in combat.
The Simple Answer
The simple answer to the question of what happens when you tap a blocking creature is nothing changes. The attacking creature still resolves its combat damage regardless of whether the blocking creature is tapped or not.
Example
To illustrate this, let’s look at an example:
Attacking creature: Stitched Puma with 2 power
Blocking creature: Mesa Enchantress tapped
In this scenario, the Stitched Puma will still deal 2 damage to its controller’s life total regardless of the fact that Mesa Enchantress is tapped. Tapping Mesa Enchantress does not prevent Stitched Puma from dealing combat damage.
The Aftermath
So, what happens after the combat phase? After the attacking creature resolves its combat damage, the players will have an opportunity to play spells, abilities, and declare attacking creatures again. Tap will not affect these subsequent steps in the game.
When to Tap a Blocking Creature
When should you tap a blocking creature? The answer largely depends on your overall game plan and the situation you’re in. Here are some general guidelines:
Tap for
- Additional mana generation: Tapping a creature with flying or toughness can grant you an additional mana point.
- Activating an ability: Some creatures have abilities that can be triggered by tapping them. (e.g., Hypnotic Specter)
Don’t Tap for
- Additional combat damage: As stated earlier, tapping a blocking creature does not prevent the attacking creature from dealing combat damage.
- Preventing token generation: Tapping a creature that generates tokens upon death (e.g., Dreg Mangler) will not prevent them from being generated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, tapping a blocking creature will not affect the outcome of combat damage. The attacking creature will still deal its scheduled damage regardless of the tap. When deciding whether or not to tap a blocking creature, consider your game plan, the situation on the battlefield, and any potential benefits or drawbacks associated with the tap.
| What Happens If… | Effects |
|---|---|
| You tap a blocking creature | Combat damage still resolves, blocking creature remains tapped |
| Additional mana generation or activation of ability possible |
Now that you know what happens when you tap a blocking creature, you can incorporate this knowledge into your playstyle and make more strategic decisions during combat. Happy gaming!