Does the first strike ability trigger for each enemy blocker? For example, if I have a 2/2 first strike and I choose a 2/2 blocker to fight first, killing it before it's own combat damage assigns, then the second blocking creature is also 2/2, will the first strike ability trigger again repeating the first steps actions? Or would both creatures die?
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Dear Optimists Pessimists and Realists,
While you were all arguing about the half glass of water... I drank it.
First strike does not "trigger". It modifies the rules of combat to cause creatures to deal their damage at different times.
In your situation it sounds like you are blocking a 2/2 first strike with two 2/2s without first strike. In that case, the attacking creature will deal its combat damage to the first blocking creature (it will be destroyed), then the second blocking creature will deal its combat damage to the attacking creature.
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DCI Certified Level 1 Judge
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
First strike is not something that triggers. It's a static ability that sets a rule, creating a a second combat damage step prior to the normal one. In that step, creatures with first strike assign and deal their combat damage. But a creature with first strike, just like one without, cannot assign more damage than its power in a single combat. What would happen in your example is that your first striker would deal 2 damage to one of the blocking 2/2's in the first combat damage step, and then, in the normal combat damage step, the other 2/2 that didn't die would deal 2 damage to your first striker. You end up trading your first striker for only one of your opponent's 2/2's.
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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.
If a 4/2 first strike is being blocked by two 2/2s, and the controller of the attacking creature assigns 2 damage to each blocking creature, the blocking creatures will be destroyed before the defending player assigns combat damage. At the time they would assign combat damage, they don't control any creatures blocking the 4/2 first strike, so they would not be able to assign any damage to it.
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Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
Yea. It's toughness is still only two so you would deal 4 first strike damage to the first one, and the second would still deal 2 damage to your creature that has fs. Atleast that's how I'm understanding this
Yea. It's toughness is still only two so you would deal 4 first strike damage to the first one, and the second would still deal 2 damage to your creature that has fs.
You only need to assign lethal damage to the first blocker before assigning damage to the second blocker.
You can assign 2 damage to the first creature and 2 damage to the second killing them both during the first strike combat damage step.
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Dear Optimists Pessimists and Realists,
While you were all arguing about the half glass of water... I drank it.
Sincerely,
The Opportunist
In your situation it sounds like you are blocking a 2/2 first strike with two 2/2s without first strike. In that case, the attacking creature will deal its combat damage to the first blocking creature (it will be destroyed), then the second blocking creature will deal its combat damage to the attacking creature.
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
Dear Optimists Pessimists and Realists,
While you were all arguing about the half glass of water... I drank it.
Sincerely,
The Opportunist
Remember, kids: Never fight with Flashback, 'cause Flashback always wins.
You only need to assign lethal damage to the first blocker before assigning damage to the second blocker.
You can assign 2 damage to the first creature and 2 damage to the second killing them both during the first strike combat damage step.
Ever wanted to know what guidelines Judges use to make rulings? Find out at the DCI Document Center.
You can also find the latest Comprehensive Rules here.