How does double strike work?
Asked by ScionsStillLive 4 years ago
I read the description for double strike and I don't understand it.
dragonstryke58 says... Accepted answer #2
Not sure if this is more elegant, but according to the rules:
If there are any creatures with first strike or double strike at the beginning of the combat damage step, the only creatures that will deal damage in that combat damage step will be those creatures with first strike or double strike.
Then after that (first) combat damage step, instead of going to the end of combat step, a second combat damage step happens. During this step, only remaining creatures with double strike and remaining creatures that did not have first or double strike as the first combat damage step began will do damage during this step.
After the second combat damage step, you proceed to the end of combat 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.
TL;DR: Double strike creates two combat damage steps where the creature with double strike will assign damage in both those steps (if it had double strike as the first combat damage step occurs).
Also, if there is a creature with last strike or triple strike, there will be a third combat damage step, but unless you are using Un-sets, you won't need to worry about this.
July 17, 2019 5:43 p.m.
In the future, please remember to hit the green “mark as answer” button to indicate your question has been resolved. Since this question has been answered for a couple of days with no follow-up questions, I have gone ahead and marked an answer on your behalf.
July 21, 2019 3:44 p.m.
ScionsStillLive says... #4
cdkime my messages box didn't tell me it was answered.
Noire_Samhain says... #1
Basically, the creature applies their damage twice.
Say a 1/3 creature with double strike is blocked by a 2/2 creature. The 1/3 creature kills the 2/2 creature as their 1 power is counted twice, once at the beginning of combat BEFORE the 2/2 (like those with First Strike), and then at the SAME time during combat as the 2/2.
If the Double Striker has death touch, the Double Striker kills the 2/2 before it can deal damage.
There's probably more elegant ways of stating it.
July 17, 2019 4:52 p.m.