What is the order of attacking in Magic The Gathering?

What is the Order of Attacking in Magic The Gathering?

In Magic: The Gathering, the order of attacking is a crucial aspect of the game, determining the sequence in which creatures and other attacking entities deal damage to their opponents. In this article, we will delve into the rules governing the order of attacking, providing a comprehensive overview of the process.

The Combat Phase

The order of attacking begins during the combat phase, which is one of the five phases of a turn in Magic: The Gathering. The combat phase consists of five steps: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat. The declare attackers step is where the order of attacking is determined.

Declaring Attackers

During the declare attackers step, the attacking player declares which creatures on the battlefield will be attacking their opponent. This step is crucial, as it determines the order in which creatures will deal damage. Creatures with the highest power are declared first, followed by creatures with lower power. If two or more creatures have the same power, the attacking player may declare them in any order they choose.

Assigning Attackers

Once the attackers have been declared, the defending player may choose to block with their own creatures. The defending player may assign a maximum of one blocker to each attacking creature, and each blocker may only block one attacking creature. The defending player may not assign a blocker to a creature that has already been blocked.

Combat Damage

After the blockers have been assigned, the combat damage step begins. During this step, each attacking creature deals damage to the defending player or the creature it is blocking, if applicable. Creatures deal damage equal to their power, and any damage dealt is applied after the blockers have been assigned.

Order of Attacking

So, what is the order of attacking in Magic: The Gathering? The order is as follows:

• Creatures with the highest power are declared first, followed by creatures with lower power.
• Each creature is assigned a specific attacker or blocker, based on the choices made by the attacking and defending players.
• Combat damage is dealt in the order of the declared attackers, with each creature dealing damage equal to its power.

Example Scenario

Let’s consider an example scenario to illustrate the order of attacking:

• Player A has two creatures on the battlefield: a 5/5 red dragon and a 3/3 green bear.
• Player B has a 4/4 blue merfolk on the battlefield.
• Player A declares the red dragon as the first attacker, followed by the green bear.
• Player B chooses to block the red dragon with their merfolk.
• The green bear is not blocked.
• During the combat damage step, the red dragon deals 4 damage to Player B, and the green bear deals 3 damage to Player B.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the order of attacking in Magic: The Gathering is a crucial aspect of the game, determining the sequence in which creatures and other attacking entities deal damage to their opponents. By understanding the rules governing the order of attacking, players can make informed decisions during the combat phase, ultimately improving their chances of winning.