Hello everyone. My friend and I came across this the other night. He had goring ceratops a 5/5 with double strike and i wanted to kill his card. I used two 1/1 hired poisoners with deathtouch to try and kill it. How does the damage work with double strike assuming no other card is played?
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Double strike on an attacking or blocking creature means, that there are two combat damage steps during combat instead of just one. A double striking creature can deal combat damage in both. However note, that the rules say, a blocked attacking creature that has no creature blocking it (anymore) cannot assign and deal combat damage, and double strike does not change this. In fact, it makes this more likely to happen. In the first combat damage step, the attacking Ceratops gets to assign 5 combat damage, at least 1 of which must be assigned to the first Hired Poisoner. The rest can be assigned to either Poisoner divided however the attacking player chooses. The Poisoners do not get to assign combat damage yet since they have neither first strike nor double strike. So the attacking player can kill one or both blockers, but it is his choice, not the defending player's. If the attacking player chooses to kill just one of the two blockers in the first combat damage step, then the second blocker will be alive during the second combat damage step, and both creatures will kill each other.
Goring Ceratops will easily kill both Hired Poisoner during First Strike combat damage step.
Poisoners won't have time to deal any damage, thus Deathtouch is irrelevant.
So all of the 5 power is dealt to both creatures in first strike but none of the normal strike damage is done to the player. The first strike portion of the damage does not deal 5 damage to one creature it just deals one damage to 1 creature and then another 1 to the second creature.
So all of the 5 power is dealt to both creatures in first strike but none of the normal strike damage is done to the player.
It's blocked (and doesn't have trample), so it can't assign (and deal) damage to the defending player.
510.1c A blocked creature assigns its combat damage to the creatures blocking it. If no creatures are currently blocking it (if, for example, they were destroyed or removed from combat), it assigns no combat damage. If exactly one creature is blocking it, it assigns all its combat damage to that creature. If two or more creatures are blocking it, it assigns its combat damage to those creatures according to the damage assignment order announced for it. This may allow the blocked creature to divide its combat damage. However, it can’t assign combat damage to a creature that’s blocking it unless, when combat damage assignments are complete, each creature that precedes that blocking creature in its order is assigned lethal damage. When checking for assigned lethal damage, take into account damage already marked on the creature and damage from other creatures that’s being assigned during the same combat damage step, but not any abilities or effects that might change the amount of damage that’s actually dealt. An amount of damage that’s greater than a creature’s lethal damage may be assigned to it.
The first strike portion of the damage does not deal 5 damage to one creature it just deals one damage to 1 creature and then another 1 to the second creature.
It has 5 power, so it assigns and deals 5 (not 2) damage to the blockers. It could be 1 to the first blocker in its damage assignment order and 4 to the second one. Or 2 and 3. Or 3 and 2. Or 4 and 1. Or even all 5 to just the first one, although that would probably be silly. These examples are from rule 510.1c:
Example: The damage assignment order of an attacking Vastwood Gorger (a 5/6 creature) is Pride Guardian (a 0/3 creature) then Llanowar Elves (a 1/1 creature). Vastwood Gorger can assign 3 damage to the Guardian and 2 damage to the Elves, 4 damage to the Guardian and 1 damage to the Elves, or 5 damage to the Guardian.
Example: The damage assignment order of an attacking Vastwood Gorger (a 5/6 creature) is Pride Guardian (a 0/3 creature) then Llanowar Elves (a 1/1 creature). During the declare blockers step, the defending player casts Giant Growth targeting Pride Guardian, which gives it +3/+3 until end of turn. Vastwood Gorger must assign its 5 damage to the Guardian.
Example: The damage assignment order of an attacking Vastwood Gorger (a 5/6 creature) is Pride Guardian (a 0/3 creature) then Llanowar Elves (a 1/1 creature). During the declare blockers step, the defending player casts Mending Hands targeting Pride Guardian, which prevents the next 4 damage that would be dealt to it. Vastwood Gorger can assign 3 damage to the Guardian and 2 damage to the Elves, 4 damage to the Guardian and 1 damage to the Elves, or 5 damage to the Guardian.
Example: The damage assignment order of an attacking Enormous Baloth (a 7/7 creature) is Trained Armodon (a 3/3 creature) that already has 2 damage marked on it, then Foriysian Brigade (a 2/4 creature that can block an additional creature), then Silverback Ape (a 5/5 creature). The damage assignment order of an attacking Durkwood Boars (a 4/4 creature) is the same Foriysian Brigade, then Goblin Piker (a 2/1 creature). Among other possibilities, the active player may have the Baloth assign 1 damage to the Armodon, 1 damage to the Brigade, and 5 damage to the Ape, and have the Boars assign 3 damage to the Brigade and 1 damage to the Piker.
Thanks for posting the rulings. Yet it still does not explain the first strike damage. Sorry for not having the rules memorized.
702.4. Double Strike
702.4a Double strike is a static ability that modifies the rules for the combat damage step. (See rule
510, “Combat Damage Step.”)
702.4b If at least one attacking or blocking creature has first strike (see rule 702.7) or double strike
as the combat damage step begins, the only creatures that assign combat damage in that step are
those with first strike or double strike. After that step, instead of proceeding to the end of
combat step, the phase gets a second combat damage step. The only creatures that assign
combat damage in that step are the remaining attackers and blockers that had neither first strike
nor double strike as the first combat damage step began, as well as the remaining attackers and
blockers that currently have double strike. After that step, the phase proceeds to the end of
combat step.
702.4c Removing double strike from a creature during the first combat damage step will stop it
from assigning combat damage in the second combat damage step.
702.4d Giving double strike to a creature with first strike after it has already dealt combat damage
in the first combat damage step will allow the creature to assign combat damage in the second
combat damage step.
702.4e Multiple instances of double strike on the same creature are redundant
510.4. If at least one attacking or blocking creature has first strike (see rule 702.7) or double strike (see
rule 702.4) as the combat damage step begins, the only creatures that assign combat damage in that
step are those with first strike or double strike. After that step, instead of proceeding to the end of
combat step, the phase gets a second combat damage step. The only creatures that assign combat
damage in that step are the remaining attackers and blockers that had neither first strike nor double
strike as the first combat damage step began, as well as the remaining attackers and blockers that
currently have double strike. After that step, the phase proceeds to the end of combat step.
I dont see where it clarifies multiple blockers for first strike damage. Does only first strike damage deal first strike damage to one creature or does it deal first strike damage to potentially multiple creatures until it runs out of first strike damage to distribute to blockers.
Does the first strike damage deal only first strike damage to one of the 1/1 or does it deal first strike damage to each 1/1 because it has 5 damage to distribute? I thought first strike damage was dealt to only one creature if there were multiple blockers because its the first damage that is done. Then it moves to the normal damage.
The first strike combat damage step is exactly like the regular combat damage step but earlier. The Ceratops assigns combat damage to ALL of its blockers during the first strike combat damage step, and if possible again also in the regular one. So it can assign enough damage to kill both blockers before the regular combat damage step.
Does the first strike damage deal only first strike damage to one of the 1/1 or does it deal first strike damage to each 1/1 because it has 5 damage to distribute? I thought first strike damage was dealt to only one creature if there were multiple blockers because its the first damage that is done. Then it moves to the normal damage.
Remember that all first strike and double strike do is—
give a combat phase two combat damage steps rather than one (C.R. 702.4b, 702.7b), and
restrict which creatures assign combat damage during those steps (C.R. 702.4b, 702.7b).
Neither first strike nor double strike change how a creature assigns combat damage, if it does do so. (There is no such thing as "first strike damage".) For instance, if Goring Ceratops attacks and is blocked by two Hired Poisoners (and no other attackers and blockers are in the scenario), then due to double strike only Goring Ceratops can assign combat damage in the first combat damage step (C.R. 702.4b). It can assign 1 combat damage to the first Hired Poisoner and 4 combat damage to the other (among certain other possibilities) (C.R. 510.1a, 510.1c). If it does so, both Hired Poisoners will be dealt lethal damage and destroyed (C.R. 510.2, 510.4, 116.5, 704.5f), but Goring Ceratops will remain blocked (C.R. 509.1h), and then, in the second combat damage step, with Goring Ceratops blocked with no creatures blocking it, Goring Ceratops won't assign (and thus deal) combat damage (C.R. 510.1c, 510.2), and the two Hired Poisoners won't be there to assign combat damage (under C.R. 510.1d; review C.R. 702.4b) (so whether they have deathtouch is irrelevant). See also this thread and this thread.
So basically the 5 first strike combat damage is dealt as first strike damage even if its divided up. 1 to the first blocker is first strike, and 4 to the second blocker is still first strike.
So basically the 5 first strike combat damage is dealt as first strike damage even if its divided up. 1 to the first blocker is first strike, and 4 to the second blocker is still first strike.
Again, there is no such thing as "first strike damage"; if a creature with first strike or double strike assigns combat damage, then neither ability changes how it assigns that damage (review C.R. 702.4, 702.7). The damage assigned this way is still combat damage for abilities that care about that (e.g., in Gishath, Sun's Avatar) (C.R. 119.2a).
So basically the 5 first strike combat damage is dealt as first strike damage even if its divided up. 1 to the first blocker is first strike, and 4 to the second blocker is still first strike.
It's still dealt in the first combat damage step (of two), if that's what you mean by "first strike damage". Both combat damage steps use rule 510, including rule 510.1c I quoted earlier for dividing combat damage.
506. Combat Phase
506.1. The combat phase has five steps, which proceed in order: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat. The declare blockers and combat damage steps are skipped if no creatures are declared as attackers or put onto the battlefield attacking (see rule 508.8). There are two combat damage steps if any attacking or blocking creature has first strike (see rule 702.7) or double strike (see rule 702.4).
This is how I assume it gets played out goring ceratops and hired poisoner.
5/5 attacks and has double strike.
1/1 and 1/1 block.
This is the part im asking about. How does the damage get played out.
5/5 deals 1 of 5 first strike damage to 1/1 and the first strike portion is over and deals the remainder of the 4 of 5 damage to the other 1/1 and the 1/1 also deals damage back.
Or.
5/5 deals 1 of 5 first strike damage to the 1/1 and the remainder of the 4 of 5 first strike damage to the second 1/1 and then no damage is dealt to the 5/5. I know the damage can be divide any way.
Does first strike damage only deal damage to the first creature as first strike? Or does it deal damage to both creatures as first strike? I know the attacker assigns combat damage I know how combat damage normally gets divided up but I am unsure of first strike part. Does what ever amount of first strike damage deal only first strike damage to the first creature and then the second creature gets to apply damage or does all the of 5 power get divided up into any number of ways to each each block ask first strike damage?
I know what the rules say I just cannot decipher them. I know how double strike works. The first strike damage is what gets me.
NO combat damage is EVER dealt to the Ceratops, because it has enough power to divide lethal combat damage among BOTH its blockers, neither of which has first strike, during the first strike combat damage step. The normal combat damage step is basically irrelevant here.
A 5/5 creature with double strike assigns combat damage in the same way as though it didn't have double strike, if that creature does assign combat damage.
For example, if a 5/5 creature with double strike, blocked by one or more creatures, assigns combat damage, it assigns 5 combat damage (not just 1 combat damage) to one or possibly several creatures at the same time (just as it does without double strike or first strike); it doesn't assign combat damage to one creature (whether as "first strike damage" or otherwise), then assign combat damage to another creature, with something in between (C.R. 510.1a, 510.1c, 510.1).
You may be confused because you believe that if a creature has double strike, that makes the combat damage it deals special in some way (e.g., "first strike damage"). That is not the case, and that is why it is confusing to speak of "first strike damage" (or "double strike damage").
Here is how the scenario can play out in detail, assuming the 5/5 creature is the only attacker and the 1/1 creatures are the only blockers:
The combat damage step begins. Since the attacker has double strike, only the attacker gets to assign combat damage and a second combat damage step will follow this one (C.R. 702.4b).
The attacker assigns combat damage equal to its power, here, 5 (C.R. 510.1a). Among other possibilities, it can assign 1 damage to the first blocker and 4 damage to the other (C.R. 510.1c) — this is no different than if the attacker didn't have double strike. (This damage assignment is assumed in what follows.)
The combat damage assigned is dealt (C.R. 510.2).
The active player gets priority (C.R. 510.3).
All players pass (C.R. 117.4).
The second combat damage step begins (C.R. 702.4b). Since the attacker is blocked and there are no more blockers, it doesn't get to assign combat damage at all, even though it has double strike (C.R. 510.1c, 510.2, 702.4b). And the former blockers won't be there to assign combat damage.
EDIT (Sep. 4): Correctness edit. One rule was renumbered with Core Set 2020.
A creature with first strike or double strike will deal ALL its power in combat damage during the first combat damage step. That damage is assigned, distributed, and dealt as normal. The only difference is, that not all creatures get to do that during the first combat dmage step. Those that do not have first strike and those that do not have double strike simply have to sit by and endure. So if a 5/5 with double strike is blocked by two 1/1s (wether they have deathtouch or not), the 5/5 can kill both of them before they get a chance to strike back. The 5/5 can assign 1-5 damage to the first of the two and the rest to the second. So the first 1/1 in line will die, the second can survive if the attacking player chooses so (by assigning all 5 damage to the first 1/1). But in that case, due to double strike, that second 1/1 will be first in line in the second combat damage step, where it can strike back to kill the Ceratops, but the Ceratops must assign all its combat damage to it now, because there is no other blocker. So both creatures die in that scenario.
Imagine a battle lasting two days, saturday and sunday.
The battle of saturday:
Oniy those creatures blessed with firstrikeness or doublestrikeness get to fight on saturday.
The other creatures stand on the battlefield too, but they are paralyzed, unable to fight. Yet, they can receive blows!
The battle of sunday:
On sunday, all surviving creatures get to fight, except those with firstrikeness, which stand paralyzed, defenceless.
Each and all creatures standind on the battlefield can receive blows.
Creatures with First Strike can hit others on saturday only.
Creatures with no strike get to hit others on sunday only, assuming they survived the battle of saturday.
Creatures with Double Strike get to hit others on saturday and, assuming they survive the battle of saturday, they get to hit others again on sunday.
In the Goring Ceratops / Hired Poisoners example you provided, only Goring Ceratops is able to fight on saturday, while the Hired Poisoners stand paralyzed: Goring Ceratops easyly kills both Hired Poisoners.
On sunday, not much of a battle happens since only Ceratops remains alive (remember: both Poisoners died on saturday).
5/5 deals 1 of 5 first strike damage to the 1/1 and the remainder of the 4 of 5 first strike damage to the second 1/1 and then no damage is dealt to the 5/5. I know the damage can be divide any way.
That's the correct one (regardless of the terminology issue about "first strike damage").
It sounds like you are confusing first strike with the order of assigned blockers.
As you know, when there are two or more blockers you (the attacker) set an order and have to assign at least as much damage as the first one's toughness before assigning any damage to the next one, and so on.
So you have to assign at least 1 damage to the first Poisoner and any remaining damage to the next one.
The important thing is that this batch of 5 damage all happens during the first strike damage step, and the Poisoners don't get to do any damage then because they don't have first or double strike. The Ceratops's "first strike damage" doesn't "run out" or move out of the first strike step while being dealt to the first blocker - all 5 points of damage get assigned among the blockers, both players get priority, and then once both players pass the damage resolves. Then you move on to the normal damage step.
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Poisoners won't have time to deal any damage, thus Deathtouch is irrelevant.
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It's blocked (and doesn't have trample), so it can't assign (and deal) damage to the defending player.
It has 5 power, so it assigns and deals 5 (not 2) damage to the blockers. It could be 1 to the first blocker in its damage assignment order and 4 to the second one. Or 2 and 3. Or 3 and 2. Or 4 and 1. Or even all 5 to just the first one, although that would probably be silly. These examples are from rule 510.1c:
I dont see where it clarifies multiple blockers for first strike damage. Does only first strike damage deal first strike damage to one creature or does it deal first strike damage to potentially multiple creatures until it runs out of first strike damage to distribute to blockers.
Example.
goring ceratops attacks 5/5 double strike.
hired poisoner 1/1 two of them block.
Does the first strike damage deal only first strike damage to one of the 1/1 or does it deal first strike damage to each 1/1 because it has 5 damage to distribute? I thought first strike damage was dealt to only one creature if there were multiple blockers because its the first damage that is done. Then it moves to the normal damage.
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Remember that all first strike and double strike do is—
EDIT (Dec. 27): Clarification.
It's still dealt in the first combat damage step (of two), if that's what you mean by "first strike damage". Both combat damage steps use rule 510, including rule 510.1c I quoted earlier for dividing combat damage.
5/5 attacks and has double strike.
1/1 and 1/1 block.
This is the part im asking about. How does the damage get played out.
5/5 deals 1 of 5 first strike damage to 1/1 and the first strike portion is over and deals the remainder of the 4 of 5 damage to the other 1/1 and the 1/1 also deals damage back.
Or.
5/5 deals 1 of 5 first strike damage to the 1/1 and the remainder of the 4 of 5 first strike damage to the second 1/1 and then no damage is dealt to the 5/5. I know the damage can be divide any way.
Does first strike damage only deal damage to the first creature as first strike? Or does it deal damage to both creatures as first strike? I know the attacker assigns combat damage I know how combat damage normally gets divided up but I am unsure of first strike part. Does what ever amount of first strike damage deal only first strike damage to the first creature and then the second creature gets to apply damage or does all the of 5 power get divided up into any number of ways to each each block ask first strike damage?
I know what the rules say I just cannot decipher them. I know how double strike works. The first strike damage is what gets me.
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
For example, if a 5/5 creature with double strike, blocked by one or more creatures, assigns combat damage, it assigns 5 combat damage (not just 1 combat damage) to one or possibly several creatures at the same time (just as it does without double strike or first strike); it doesn't assign combat damage to one creature (whether as "first strike damage" or otherwise), then assign combat damage to another creature, with something in between (C.R. 510.1a, 510.1c, 510.1).
You may be confused because you believe that if a creature has double strike, that makes the combat damage it deals special in some way (e.g., "first strike damage"). That is not the case, and that is why it is confusing to speak of "first strike damage" (or "double strike damage").
Here is how the scenario can play out in detail, assuming the 5/5 creature is the only attacker and the 1/1 creatures are the only blockers:
EDIT (Sep. 4): Correctness edit. One rule was renumbered with Core Set 2020.
Former Rules Advisor
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Imagine a battle lasting two days, saturday and sunday.
The battle of saturday:
Oniy those creatures blessed with firstrikeness or doublestrikeness get to fight on saturday.
The other creatures stand on the battlefield too, but they are paralyzed, unable to fight. Yet, they can receive blows!
The battle of sunday:
On sunday, all surviving creatures get to fight, except those with firstrikeness, which stand paralyzed, defenceless.
Each and all creatures standind on the battlefield can receive blows.
Creatures with First Strike can hit others on saturday only.
Creatures with no strike get to hit others on sunday only, assuming they survived the battle of saturday.
Creatures with Double Strike get to hit others on saturday and, assuming they survive the battle of saturday, they get to hit others again on sunday.
In the Goring Ceratops / Hired Poisoners example you provided, only Goring Ceratops is able to fight on saturday, while the Hired Poisoners stand paralyzed: Goring Ceratops easyly kills both Hired Poisoners.
On sunday, not much of a battle happens since only Ceratops remains alive (remember: both Poisoners died on saturday).
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That's the correct one (regardless of the terminology issue about "first strike damage").
It sounds like you are confusing first strike with the order of assigned blockers.
As you know, when there are two or more blockers you (the attacker) set an order and have to assign at least as much damage as the first one's toughness before assigning any damage to the next one, and so on.
So you have to assign at least 1 damage to the first Poisoner and any remaining damage to the next one.
The important thing is that this batch of 5 damage all happens during the first strike damage step, and the Poisoners don't get to do any damage then because they don't have first or double strike. The Ceratops's "first strike damage" doesn't "run out" or move out of the first strike step while being dealt to the first blocker - all 5 points of damage get assigned among the blockers, both players get priority, and then once both players pass the damage resolves. Then you move on to the normal damage step.