Can you respond between first strike and normal combat damage?
Asked by meecht 12 years ago
If my opponent attacks with Fencing Ace , could I cast Avenging Arrow in response to the first strike damage, but before normal combat damage is dealt?
Rhadamanthus says... #2
First strike combat damage and regular combat damage are dealt in two separate steps of combat. After first strike damage is dealt, the game won't move on to the next step until all players have passed over an empty stack. This is your opportunity to make a play instead of passing. You're allowed to cast Avenging Arrow on the Fencing Ace after he deals damage in the first strike step, before the regular combat damage step begins.
February 8, 2013 11:45 a.m.
Awesome, thanks! Due to all the ways indestructible and double strike can be given to creatures now, I'm considering using card:Executioner's Swing for removal.
If a creature is paired with Silverblade Paladin , would killing the Paladin prevent the other creature from having a second damage step?
How about this scenario:
Opponent has Legion Loyalist and Silverblade Paladin paired with Lightning Mauler .
I have a Doomed Traveler .
When my opponent attacks, everything has trample and Paladin and Mauler have double strike. If I block Mauler with Traveler, I know that 3 damage will still trample over. However, is that 3 damage still divided as 1 first strike damage + 2 normal combat damage, or does it all get lumped together due to the trample?
February 8, 2013 12:29 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #4
In the regular damage step, creatures with double strike and any creatures that didn't deal damage in the first strike step deal combat damage (regardless of whether or not they currently have first/double strike). Killing Silverblade Paladin after first strike damage is dealt will stop the creature it was bonded to from dealing damage in the regular combat damage step, because it already dealt damage in the first strike step.
I like I said, first strike and regular combat damage are dealt in separate steps of combat. In the first strike step of combat, Lightning Mauler will trample over for 1. Then in the regular combat damage step, if it still has double strike, it will trample over for 2.
February 8, 2013 1:16 p.m.
That's how i figured it worked, but wasn't sure.
Thanks, again.
GreatSword says... Accepted answer #1
In short, yes. There is a round of priority in between first strike damage and normal combat damage. You could cast Avenging Arrow in between these two steps.
But, you can't cast a spell "in response" to any kind of combat damage, as it doesn't use the stack.
February 8, 2013 11:25 a.m.