So I ran into a tricky situation yesterday and wasn’t clear on the ruling.
I had an archangel of thune attacking with first strike. And wasn’t sure if the angel would acquire her +1/+1 counter before normal damage was assigned.
In my mind I figured I’d instantly gain life with first strike damage which would then trigger the ability then the rest of combat would resolve. Any clarification would help.
Since Archangel of Thune has first strike, there will be a second combat damage step after the usual one (C.R. 702.7b). In the first combat damage step, when Archangel of Thune deals combat damage and so causes you to gain life (C.R. 119.3f), its last ability will trigger and it will get to resolve (and give each creature you control — not necessarily Archangel of Thune — a +1/+1 counter) before the next combat damage step (C.R. 603.3, 116.4, 500.2). However, if Archangel of Thune is also dealt lethal combat damage at the same time it deals combat damage, it will go to the graveyard as a state-based action before that ability goes on the stack (C.R. 510.3, 116.5, 704.5g), let alone gets to resolve.
Note that first strike doesn't mean combat damage is assigned and dealt by certain creatures, then combat damage is assigned and dealt by other creatures, with nothing in between (review C.R. 702.7). Rather, the active player gets priority after combat damage is dealt in each case (C.R. 510.3).
EDIT: Clarification after comment 4 was posted.
EDIT (Nov. 22): Correct rule citation.
First strike damage happens during a completely separate step of the combat phase. If any creatures with first or double strike are attacking or blocking, there are two combat damage steps in that combat phase instead of one. Creatures with first strike assign and deal combat damage during the first of those steps. Any triggered ability that triggers from that damage triggers and resolves during that step, and players may even cast spells and activate abilities, and the game doesn't proceed to the second, "normal" combat damage step until all players pass priority (the opportunity to do stuff) on an empty stack after everything has resolved. So the Angel and your other creatures have their new +1/+1 counter for the second combat damage step.
EDIT:
Quote from peteroupc »
However, if Archangel of Thune is also dealt lethal combat damage at the same time it does, it will go to the graveyard before that ability can even go on the stack.
Note that in such a case, the ability still goes on the stack afterwards and gets to pump your other creatures, if any, when it resolves. All peteroupc is saying is that it can't save the Angel herself.
I'm a former judge (lapsed), who keeps up to date on rules and policy. Keep in mind that judges' answers aren't necessarily more valid than those of people who aren't judges; what matters is we can quote the rules to back up our answers. When in doubt, ask for such quotes.
When a creature with first strike or double strike is in combat (attacking or blocking) when the combat damage step would begin, there will be two combat damage steps. In the first of those, only creatures with first srike or double strike assign and deal combat damage. The step is handled normally in all other regards. So state based actions happen right after combat damage, triggers go on the stack and players get priorty to cast spells and activate abilities. Your Archangel's trigger goes off and resolves in this step. In the second combat damage step, creatures with double strike and all creatures that didn't get to assign combat damage yet, get to assign and deal combat damage. So by that time, any power/toughness changes from the previous combat damage step are in place to make those creatures deal and/or survive more/less combat damage.
So I ran into a tricky situation yesterday and wasn’t clear on the ruling.
I had an archangel of thune attacking with first strike. And wasn’t sure if the angel would acquire her +1/+1 counter before normal damage was assigned.
In my mind I figured I’d instantly gain life with first strike damage which would then trigger the ability then the rest of combat would resolve. Any clarification would help.
Note that first strike doesn't mean combat damage is assigned and dealt by certain creatures, then combat damage is assigned and dealt by other creatures, with nothing in between (review C.R. 702.7). Rather, the active player gets priority after combat damage is dealt in each case (C.R. 510.3).
EDIT: Clarification after comment 4 was posted.
EDIT (Nov. 22): Correct rule citation.
EDIT: Note that in such a case, the ability still goes on the stack afterwards and gets to pump your other creatures, if any, when it resolves. All peteroupc is saying is that it can't save the Angel herself.
Former Rules Advisor
"Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge
(The Gamers: Dorkness Rising)
"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science."
(Girl Genius - Fairy Tale Theater Break - Cinderella, end of volume 8)