Mystical Tutor | Hit Them Where It Counts: Combat in MTG

Combat is at the heart of Magic: The Gathering. It’s where creatures clash, life totals drop, and games are generally won or lost. Whether you're a new player or brushing up on the rules, understanding how combat in MTG works is essential.

The Phases of Combat

Combat in Magic is broken down into five distinct steps:

1. Beginning of Combat

This is the phase where players can cast instants or activate abilities before attackers are declared.

2. Declare Attackers

The active player (the one whose turn it is) chooses which of their untapped creatures will attack and who or what they are attacking (either the opponent or a planeswalker they control). Once attackers are declared, they become tapped.

3. Declare Blockers

The defending player chooses which of their untapped creatures will block which attackers. A single creature can block only one attacker, but multiple creatures can block a single attacker.

4. Combat Damage

This is where the actual damage is dealt. The order of damage depends on abilities like first strike and double strike, which we’ll cover below.

5. End of Combat

This is the cleanup step for combat. Any effects that last “until end of combat” wear off, and players can cast spells or activate abilities before moving to the next phase.

First Strike: Hitting Before the Opponent

First strike is a keyword ability that allows a creature to deal its combat damage before creatures without first strike.

How It Works:

• During the combat damage step, creatures with first strike deal their damage in a special first strike damage step.

• If a creature without first strike is dealt lethal damage during this step, it is destroyed before it can deal damage back.

  
  

Example:

A 2/2 creature with first strike blocks a 3/2 creature without first strike. The 2/2 deals 2 damage first, destroying the 3/2 before it can hit back. The 2/2 survives unscathed.

Double Strike: Twice the Power

Double strike is an upgraded version of first strike. A creature with double strike deals damage during both the first strike and regular combat damage steps.

How It Works:

• In the first strike damage step, the creature deals its first round of damage.

• In the regular combat damage step, it deals damage again.

  
  

Example:

A 2/2 creature with double strike attacks and is blocked by a 3/3 creature. In the first strike step, it deals 2 damage. In the regular step, it deals another 2 damage, totaling 4. The 3/3 is destroyed, and if it didn’t have first strike or double strike, it only gets to deal its 3 damage once.

Combat Tips and Strategy

• Use first strike to your advantage by attacking or blocking with creatures that can eliminate threats before they take damage.

• Double strike is especially powerful when combined with pump spells or equipment, since the creature benefits from the bonus damage twice.

• Watch for tricks during the declare blockers and combat damage steps. Instants can change the outcome of combat dramatically.

  
  

Combat in MTG is a Breeze

Combat in Magic: The Gathering is more than just numbers. It’s a dance of timing, abilities, and strategy. Mastering the nuances of combat—especially how first strike and double strike work—can give you a significant edge in your games.