When Magic 2010 was released, a few changes were made to the combat phase. One such change concerns what happens when a creature in combat is either blocked by or blocking more than one creature. When this happens, the controller of the creature that is blocking or blocked by more than one creature must choose a damage assignment order. This order will determine the order that damage is assigned to each of these creatures.

These choices are made immediately after blockers are declared, but before any spells or abilities can be played. For example, lets assume a Bonebreaker Giant is blocked by an Orchard Spirit and a Darkthicket Wolf. Immediately after these blocks have been declared, the controller of the Giant would have to choose the damage assignment order for those two creatures. After this order is chosen, both players can play spells or abilities before the combat damage step.

If the controller of the Giant chooses the Orchard Spirit first, the controller of these two blocking creatures can use the Wolf’s ability to save it. This is because at best, the controller of the Giant would only be able to assign and deal two points of damage to the Wolf. If the controller of the Giant chooses the Darkthicket Wolf to receive damage first, then the defending player can use the Wolf’s ability to ‘soak up’ all the damage and keep the Spirit from being destroyed.