First Strike: Two Damage Steps
Beginner2/2 against 2/2 — and still only one of them dies.
Cards involved
Attack and block
You attack with Grizzly Bears (2/2); your opponent blocks with White Knight (2/2, first strike).
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?
2/2 against 2/2.
How does the fight end?
Pick an answer to continue.
As soon as at least one creature in combat has first strike or double strike, there are TWO combat damage steps (510.4). Only first/double strikers deal damage in the first one, everyone else in the second — whoever is dead by then never strikes.
510.4If 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.
First-strike step
White Knight deals 2 damage to the Bears — they die.
510.4If 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.
Regular step
The Bears are gone and assign no damage. The Knight survives unharmed. Bonus: a creature with double strike deals damage in BOTH steps.
510.4If 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.
Stack
Grizzly Bears
Your 2/2 attacker
White Knight
2/2 blocker with first strike
The stack is empty.
Battlefield
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