First Strike and opponent's creature.
Asked by Denial048 9 years ago
Another question on here made me think of this scenario.
I control Fencing Ace. My opponent controls Grizzly Bears. I attack, opponent blocks, first strike combat phase happens and I deal 1 to Grizzly Bears, then, still during the first strike combat phase, I cast Swift Justice on opponents Grizzly Bears, giving it First Strike.
My understanding is that now the Grizzly Bears will no longer deal damage in the regular combat phase, but also did not deal damage in the first strike phase.
Oh, and before anyone says it, yes, I know that using Swift Justice on my Fencing Ace is the smarter move in this scenario, but it is a fringe situation where it may be more beneficial to make the opponent deal no damage.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1
It doesn't work like that.
If a creature with first strike or double strike is involved in combat as an attacking or blocking creature, then the game changes how it handles damage. In the combat damage step, only creatures with first strike or double strike will deal combat damage. Then, an additional combat damage step is created if any creatures remaining in combat currently have double strike or didn't have first strike as the first combat damage step began. During this new step, those creatures deal their combat damage.
702.7b If at least one attacking or blocking creature has first strike 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.
April 22, 2015 7:29 p.m.