The combat phase normally has five steps: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat (when first or double strike is involved, the combat damage step happens twice). Intuitively enough, when you declare a creature as an attacker, the game begins to consider it an “attacking creature.” In the same way, as soon as a creature is declared as a blocker, the game considers it a “blocking creature.” (Creatures that are put onto the battlefield attacking or blocking, like Geist of Saint Traft‘s angelic buddy, are considering attacking or blocking creatures from the moment they exist on the battlefield.)

What’s interesting is that creatures remain designated as “attacking creatures” or “blocking creatures” until the very end of the combat phase, which is at the conclusion of the end of combat step. This gives you a window to use effects that care about attacking and blocking creatures after combat damage has been dealt — such as, say, Azorius Charm. This might come in handy if you use your Thragtusk to block and kill your opponent’s 2/2, then Charm Mr. Tusk back on the top of your deck — netting a 3/3 token in the process, and a chance for 5 more life when you re-cast him! (Just because you usually want to Charm your opponent’s creatures doesn’t mean you can’t target your own!)

Today’s Rules Tip written by Paul Baranay