Mark Rosewater's Opinion of Trample
General forum
Posted on July 15, 2025, 8:23 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
In this post, Mark Rosewater stated that he believes that it is a bug that trample applies after blockers have been declared, and I do not agree with him, about that, because how else should trample function?
What does everyone else say, about this? Do you agree with Mark Rosewater on this matter, and, if you do, how would you revise trample as a mechanic? I certainly am interested to hear what everyone else has to say, on this subject.
Personally, I consider trample to be more similar to abilities like first strike or deathtouch than to actual evasion. Sure, the point of evasion is to get combat damage through, and trample does end up at that point. But the process of getting there involves completely different decisions and patterns than flying or shadow or whatever. Evasion is binary and qualitative--can it be blocked, yes or no. After that point, the decisions start. Other combat abilities are nonlinear and quantitative--is it a good idea to attack into these potential blockers, what will happen if I block with this or that, etc.
Evasion says "This can't be blocked except under special circumstances." First strike, deathtouch, etc. say "This can be blocked, but you'll have to make choices." And I think the actual usage of trample is closer to the second group than the first.
July 16, 2025 3:21 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #4
plakjekaas, I did not notice that, so I thank you, for clarifying that detail.
plakjekaas says... #2
The actual question was about trample compared to other evasion mechanics. Flying works before blockers, landwalk works before blockers, trample is the only one that still needs attention after blockers are declared, which makes it stand out among other forms of evasion. The fact that that's the case is more an unintended effect of exactly "How else would trample possibly work?" than that it's an intended choice in design.
It does not say that the way trample works is bugged.
July 16, 2025 10:31 a.m.