Normally, when you think of first strike, you think “Alright, my guy gets to deal damage before that other guy, so my guy survives”. And that’s true. However, that’s not the only advantage there is. Let’s look at a few examples of what you might want to do after dealing first strike combat damage but […]
Category: Combat Phase
“Commander damage” is only from combat damage.
A very common question is whether Ashling the Pilgrim or Heartless Hidetsugu can kill opponents by dealing 21 damage even without attacking. We explain why that doesn't work!
Kaalia of the Vast and Master of Cruelties — yes, it works.
Kaalia of the Vast + Master of Cruelties + No Blocks = One-Hit KO!
Celestial Flare after Damage
The majority of the time, you’re probably going to be using before damage goes through: for example, when your opponent attacks you with his biggest creature you can just throw out Flare right away to get rid of his biggest baddest beater BEFORE it manages to bring the pain to you or your own creatures. […]
Archangel of Thune and Multiple Lifelink Creatures
has the impressive ability of pumping up your entire team whenever you gain life. And since she has lifelink herself, you’ll never be short of a way of putting +1/+1 counters on all your creatures — as long as you’re attacking or blocking, anyway! If your Archangel is the only creature you control that attacks, […]
Kalonian Hydra doubles the counters before blockers and before damage.
An explanation of the timing of Kalonian Hydra's counter-doubling ability, and how it affects combat.
An Enlarge’d creature must be blocked if able, but a single blocker is enough.
Don't confuse "must be blocked if able" on Enlarge with other effects that say "each creature must block this if able"
Multiple Thorncaster Slivers – the abilities stack.
Multiple instances of the triggered ability from Thorncaster Slivers will add up, and each ability will trigger when a sliver attacks.
Windreader Sphinx Triggers
“All right, I’ll swing 2 in the air with this guy, and 3 with this one.” “Okay, I’ll draw 2 cards from my Sphinx.” Does that sound right? Well, it should! doesn’t much care where the winged swings are coming from, or where they’re aimed. The ability on the Sphinx is “Whenever a creature with […]