Deathtouch + Trample
Judge Level 1Why 1 damage is enough for the blocker — and 5 trample through.
Cards involved
The Dreadmaw attacks
You control Bow of Nylea ("Attacking creatures you control have deathtouch") and attack with Colossal Dreadmaw (6/6, trample). Your opponent blocks with Grizzly Bears (2/2).
509.1First, the defending player declares blockers. This turn-based action doesn’t use the stack. To declare blockers, the defending player follows the steps below, in order. If at any point during the declaration of blockers, the defending player is unable to comply with any of the steps listed below, the declaration is illegal; the game returns to the moment before the declaration (see rule 733, “Handling Illegal Actions”).
What happens?
You assign the damage.
What is the minimum you must assign to the Bear so the rest tramples through to the player?
Pick an answer to continue.
702.19bThe controller of an attacking creature with trample first assigns damage to the creature(s) blocking it. Once all those blocking creatures are assigned lethal damage, any excess damage is assigned as its controller chooses among those blocking creatures and the player, planeswalker, or battle the creature is attacking. When checking for assigned lethal damage, take into account damage already marked on the creature and damage from other creatures that’s being assigned during the same combat damage step, but not any abilities or effects that might change the amount of damage that’s actually dealt. The attacking creature’s controller need not assign lethal damage to all those blocking creatures but in that case can’t assign any damage to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking.
702.2bA creature with toughness greater than 0 that’s been dealt damage by a source with deathtouch since the last time state-based actions were checked is destroyed as a state-based action. See rule 704.
Assignment
1 damage to the Bears, 5 to your opponent.
702.19bThe controller of an attacking creature with trample first assigns damage to the creature(s) blocking it. Once all those blocking creatures are assigned lethal damage, any excess damage is assigned as its controller chooses among those blocking creatures and the player, planeswalker, or battle the creature is attacking. When checking for assigned lethal damage, take into account damage already marked on the creature and damage from other creatures that’s being assigned during the same combat damage step, but not any abilities or effects that might change the amount of damage that’s actually dealt. The attacking creature’s controller need not assign lethal damage to all those blocking creatures but in that case can’t assign any damage to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking.
Damage is dealt
The Bears die to deathtouch, your opponent drops to 15. Without the Bow you would have had to assign 2 — only 4 would have gotten through.
Stack
Opponent's life:
Colossal Dreadmaw
Your 6/6 attacker with trample
Bow of Nylea
Your attacking creatures have deathtouch
Grizzly Bears
Your opponent's 2/2 blocker
The stack is empty.
Battlefield
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