What happens when a First Striker loses its ability between damage steps?
Asked by Idoneity 15 hours ago
So, let's say I attack with a Longbow Archer. My opponent declares no blocks, and after first strike damage, I tap my Walking Sponge to remove first strike. Would it then deal normal damage? Would they take 2 or 4?
What if I do the same trick with Spirit of the Night? Through a blocking Fog Bank, would it trample over twice?
Edify me.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1
It doesn't deal damage again. With the way the rules about the combat phase are written, the first strike damage step is for creatures with first strike and double strike and the regular damage step is for creatures with double strike and any creatures who didn't have first strike or double strike in the earlier damage step. In your examples the first-striking creatures already did their thing in the first strike damage step, so they won't be considered again during the regular damage step.
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.
January 15, 2026 12:01 p.m.