What happens when a creature with double strike blocks?

What Happens When a Creature with Double Strike Blocks?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, double strike is a keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase – once during the first strike combat damage step, and once during the normal combat damage step. But what happens when a creature with double strike blocks? Let’s dive into the rules and explore the answer to this question.

The Basic Rules of Blocking

Before we dive into the specifics of double strike blocking, let’s review the basic rules of blocking. When a creature attacks, it’s considered to be declared as an attacker. The defending player can choose to block the attack with one or more creatures they control. When a creature blocks, it’s considered to be declared as a blocker. The attacking creature and the blocking creature then engage in combat, and the blocking creature takes damage equal to the attacking creature’s power.

Double Strike and Blocking

Now that we’ve covered the basics of blocking, let’s talk about what happens when a creature with double strike blocks. Double strike is a keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice – once during the first strike combat damage step, and once during the normal combat damage step. When a creature with double strike blocks, it deals damage to the blocking creature twice.

First Strike and Normal Combat Damage

When a creature with double strike blocks, it deals damage to the blocking creature twice. The first strike damage is dealt during the first strike combat damage step, and the normal combat damage is dealt during the normal combat damage step. This means that the blocking creature will take a total of 2 damage from the double strike creature.

Indestructible Creatures

If the blocking creature has the indestructible ability, it will survive the damage from the double strike creature. Indestructible is a keyword ability that prevents a creature from being destroyed. This means that even if the blocking creature takes damage from the double strike creature, it will not be destroyed and will continue to exist on the battlefield.

Other Keywords and Abilities

Other keywords and abilities can also affect the blocking creature and the double strike creature. For example, deathtouch is a keyword ability that causes a creature to deal lethal damage to any creature it damages. If the double strike creature has deathtouch, it will deal lethal damage to the blocking creature and destroy it.

Example Scenarios

Let’s look at a few example scenarios to illustrate how double strike blocking works.

Scenario 1:

• You control a creature with 2 power and double strike.
• Your opponent controls a creature with 1 power and indestructible.
• You attack with your creature and your opponent blocks with their creature.
• Your creature deals 2 damage to the blocking creature, killing it.

Scenario 2:

• You control a creature with 2 power and double strike.
• Your opponent controls a creature with 1 power and deathtouch.
• You attack with your creature and your opponent blocks with their creature.
• Your creature deals 2 damage to the blocking creature, killing it and destroying the blocking creature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when a creature with double strike blocks, it deals damage to the blocking creature twice – once during the first strike combat damage step, and once during the normal combat damage step. The blocking creature will take a total of 2 damage from the double strike creature, and if it has the indestructible ability, it will survive the damage. Other keywords and abilities can also affect the blocking creature and the double strike creature, and there are many possible scenarios that can play out. By understanding how double strike blocking works, you can make more informed decisions during gameplay and improve your chances of winning.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What happens when a creature with double strike blocks?
  • The creature deals damage to the blocking creature twice – once during the first strike combat damage step, and once during the normal combat damage step.
• Can a creature with indestructible survive the damage from a double strike creature?
  • Yes, if the blocking creature has the indestructible ability, it will survive the damage from the double strike creature.
• Can a creature with deathtouch destroy the blocking creature?
  • Yes, if the double strike creature has deathtouch, it will deal lethal damage to the blocking creature and destroy it.

References

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

Glossary

• Double strike: A keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage twice per combat phase – once during the first strike combat damage step, and once during the normal combat damage step.
• First strike: A keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage during the first strike combat damage step.
• Normal combat damage: A keyword ability that allows a creature to deal combat damage during the normal combat damage step.
• Indestructible: A keyword ability that prevents a creature from being destroyed.
• Deathtouch: A keyword ability that causes a creature to deal lethal damage to any creature it damages.