What hits first double strike or first strike?

What Hits First: Double Strike or First Strike?

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, understanding the rules and mechanics of the game can be overwhelming, especially for new players. Two crucial abilities that can make or break a game are First Strike and Double Strike. But what happens when these abilities clash? In this article, we’ll explore the rules and mechanics behind First Strike and Double Strike, and answer the age-old question: what hits first?

First Strike: The Basics

First Strike is a static ability that allows a creature to deal its combat damage to a player before other creatures with First Strike. In other words, a creature with First Strike will always deal its damage first, regardless of the order of the creatures in combat. This ability can be game-changing, as it allows a creature to deal its damage before other creatures have a chance to block.

Double Strike: The Basics

Double Strike is a triggered ability that allows a creature to deal its combat damage twice. This means that a creature with Double Strike will deal its damage once, and then deal its damage again. Double Strike can be even more powerful than First Strike, as it allows a creature to deal its damage twice, potentially killing multiple creatures or players.

What Happens When They Clash?

So, what happens when a creature with First Strike and a creature with Double Strike clash in combat? The answer is simple: the creature with First Strike will deal its damage first, and then the creature with Double Strike will deal its damage twice. This means that the creature with Double Strike will deal its damage before the creature with First Strike has a chance to deal its damage again.

Here’s an example of how this would play out:

• Creature A has First Strike and 3 toughness.
• Creature B has Double Strike and 5 toughness.
• Both creatures attack the same player.
• Creature A deals its damage first, dealing 3 points of damage to the player.
• Then, Creature B deals its damage twice, dealing a total of 10 points of damage to the player.

In this scenario, the player would lose the game because Creature B has dealt a total of 13 points of damage to them.

Stacking First Strike and Double Strike

But what happens if a creature has both First Strike and Double Strike? In this case, the creature will deal its damage first, and then deal its damage again. So, if a creature with First Strike and Double Strike deals its damage, it will deal its damage once as a result of its First Strike ability, and then deal its damage again as a result of its Double Strike ability.

Here’s an example of how this would play out:

• Creature A has First Strike and Double Strike, and 5 toughness.
• Creature A attacks the player.
• Creature A deals its damage first, dealing 5 points of damage to the player as a result of its First Strike ability.
• Then, Creature A deals its damage again, dealing an additional 5 points of damage to the player as a result of its Double Strike ability.

In this scenario, the player would lose the game because Creature A has dealt a total of 10 points of damage to them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to First Strike and Double Strike, the creature with First Strike will always deal its damage first, and then the creature with Double Strike will deal its damage twice. This means that Double Strike is generally more powerful than First Strike, as it allows a creature to deal its damage twice and potentially kill multiple creatures or players. However, there are situations where First Strike can be more powerful, such as when a creature with First Strike is the only creature in combat. Ultimately, understanding the rules and mechanics of First Strike and Double Strike is key to playing Magic: The Gathering effectively.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Can I stack First Strike and Double Strike?
A: Yes, you can stack First Strike and Double Strike on a single creature. The creature will deal its damage first as a result of its First Strike ability, and then deal its damage again as a result of its Double Strike ability.

Q: What happens if a creature with First Strike and Double Strike deals its damage?
A: If a creature with First Strike and Double Strike deals its damage, it will deal its damage first as a result of its First Strike ability, and then deal its damage again as a result of its Double Strike ability.

Q: Is Double Strike always more powerful than First Strike?
A: No, First Strike can be more powerful than Double Strike in certain situations, such as when a creature with First Strike is the only creature in combat.