What Happens if a Creature Has First Strike and Double Strike?

The intricate mechanics of Magic: The Gathering can be challenging to understand, especially when abilities such as First Strike and Double Strike interact with each other. Both abilities significantly alter how combat damage is dealt, and understanding their interaction can be the key to mastering the game.

What is First Strike?

First Strike is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows a creature to deal combat damage before creatures without First Strike. Normally, during combat, all creatures deal their damage simultaneously in a single step. However, if a creature has First Strike, it will deal its damage in a separate damage step, before creatures without First Strike. This means if a creature with First Strike deals lethal damage to an opposing creature, the opposing creature won't get the chance to deal any damage back in most situations.

What is Double Strike?

Double Strike is a similar but more advanced ability. A creature with Double Strike deals its combat damage in both the First Strike and regular damage steps. Effectively, this means that it can attack and deal damage twice during a single combat phase: once during the First Strike damage step and again during the regular damage step. Creatures without either of these abilities only deal damage once, in the regular damage step.

The Interaction Between First Strike and Double Strike

If a creature has First Strike and Double Strike, the two abilities don’t stack in the way you might initially think. Instead, Double Strike simply includes the benefits of First Strike by default. Here's how it works:

1. The creature deals damage in the First Strike step.
2. The creature deals damage again in the normal damage step.

So, when a creature has both First Strike and Double Strike, it functions the same as if it had only Double Strike. This is because Double Strike inherently includes First Strike in its ability.

Understanding the Combat Phases

To fully grasp how these abilities work, it's crucial to understand the combat phases in Magic: The Gathering:

1. Declare Attackers Step: This is where the attacking player declares which creatures are attacking.
2. Declare Blockers Step: The defending player chooses which creatures, if any, will block the attackers.
3. First Strike Damage Step: Creatures with First Strike or Double Strike deal their combat damage first.
4. Regular Damage Step: All creatures that haven't already dealt damage (i.e., creatures without First Strike) now deal their damage. Creatures with Double Strike deal their damage again.

Example Scenarios

1. Creature A has First Strike, Creature B has neither: In this case, Creature A deals its damage first in the First Strike damage step. If its damage is lethal, Creature B won't be able to strike back.

2. Creature A has Double Strike, Creature B has neither: Creature A deals damage in the First Strike damage step and again in the regular damage step. If Creature A's damage is lethal in the First Strike damage step, Creature B won’t be around to deal damage during the regular damage step.

What About Multiple Instances of First Strike?

Even if a creature somehow gains multiple instances of First Strike or Double Strike, they don't provide any additional benefits beyond the basic interaction. Having multiple First Strikes won't cause the creature to deal damage multiple times, and similarly, having both First Strike and Double Strike doesn't stack—they essentially cancel each other out, leaving just Double Strike to function.

Combat Tricks and Removal

Understanding how these abilities interact also opens up new tactical possibilities. If you can grant First Strike or Double Strike to a creature during combat (via an instant spell or ability), you can dramatically alter the combat outcome. A well-timed First Strike can let your creature survive a battle it would otherwise lose, while Double Strike can deal extra damage to finish off an opponent's life total.

For instance:

• If you have a 3/3 creature facing a 5/5 creature in combat, giving your creature First Strike can allow it to survive by dealing damage first and potentially killing the opposing creature before it deals damage back.
• Similarly, giving Double Strike to a creature means that it can hit harder than expected, possibly dealing enough damage to eliminate a key blocker or push through lethal damage.

Deck Construction and Strategy

When building a deck, creatures with First Strike or Double Strike can offer a significant advantage, particularly in aggro or midrange decks that rely on combat. Aggro decks, which focus on dealing damage as quickly as possible, benefit from creatures with Double Strike because they can hit twice in a single turn. Midrange decks, which focus on efficient creatures and spells, can use First Strike creatures to fend off larger threats or out-value opponents in combat.

Equipment, enchantments, and spells that grant these abilities are also valuable, as they can turn the tide of battle. Cards like Loxodon Warhammer or Embercleave are powerful examples of equipment that can grant Double Strike, allowing for explosive damage potential. Similarly, spells that grant First Strike or Double Strike as a temporary boost (e.g., Boros Charm) can provide combat tricks that lead to unexpected victories.

Conclusion: Mastering the Combat Step

In Magic: The Gathering, combat is one of the most critical aspects of the game, and abilities like First Strike and Double Strike play a pivotal role in shaping how battles unfold. Knowing when and how to utilize these abilities can give you a decisive advantage over your opponents. Whether you're fending off attackers or pushing through for lethal damage, First Strike and Double Strike can be the keys to securing victory in the heat of battle.

TL;DR: If a creature has First Strike and Double Strike, the two abilities do not stack; instead, Double Strike effectively includes First Strike. A creature with Double Strike deals damage twice—once in the First Strike damage step and again in the regular damage step, making it a formidable force in combat.