I recently encountered the rule that says if an attacking creature with double strike would kill any creatures blocking it with its "first strike" damage, it does not deal damage to the player with its "second strike" because it is still considered "blocked" despite the fact its blockers died.
This leaves me with the following question (and perhaps it's a stupid question): What is the benefit of having a creature with double strike over having a creature with twice the power but only first strike?
For instance: Say I have a 2/x creature with double strike, vs a 4/x creature with first strike. Is the only benefit to having the double strike creature over the high power first strike creature the fact that it procs "when this creature deals combat damage" effects twice? Or what's the point in having double strike over a high powered first strike? What can I do with the double strike creature that isn't already being done with the high power first strike creature?
As Hackworth said, power boost from spells, abilities, counters, artifacts, enchantments, etc. all count double, since they apply to each strike. This is especially powerful with equipment boosts. Then there are benefits to having a creature with less power and double strike, like with Alesha, Who Smiles at Death, that can bring back a Mirran Crusader tapped and attacking, or Mentor of the Meek, that triggers for that Mirran Crusader but not for a high power first striker. Less power also protects against some removal and makes the creature vulnerable to others, so depending on what your opponent is playing, this can be an advantage.
This leaves me with the following question (and perhaps it's a stupid question): What is the benefit of having a creature with double strike over having a creature with twice the power but only first strike?
For instance: Say I have a 2/x creature with double strike, vs a 4/x creature with first strike. Is the only benefit to having the double strike creature over the high power first strike creature the fact that it procs "when this creature deals combat damage" effects twice? Or what's the point in having double strike over a high powered first strike? What can I do with the double strike creature that isn't already being done with the high power first strike creature?
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