First Strike, Double Strike, and Damage Prevention

First strike and double strike

First strike creates an extra combat damage step before the ordinary one. Double strike deals damage in both steps (rules 702.7, 702.4). A creature that gains first strike after the first strike step is over does not “go back” and deal first strike damage that phase.

Only creatures that are able to assign combat damage in the first-strike step do so there. After that damage is dealt and state-based actions remove creatures that have lethal damage, the game proceeds to the ordinary combat damage step. A creature with double strike participates in both steps if it is still on the battlefield and able to deal damage.

A creature without first strike can still be present during the first-strike step; it simply does not assign combat damage there. This matters when effects create or remove first strike between steps, because the game checks which creatures have the ability when each combat damage step begins.

Damage prevention

Prevention effects reduce or stop damage that would be dealt (rule 615). Prevention can apply to combat damage and to noncombat damage. “Prevent the next 3 damage” creates a prevention shield that applies to the next damage events as rules describe.

Order matters

If a creature would deal first-strike damage, prevention shields can absorb that damage in the first strike step and be gone before ordinary damage. Players often mis-time prevention relative to first strike.

Deathtouch plus first strike

A first-strike creature with deathtouch can destroy blockers before they assign ordinary combat damage, so those blockers deal nothing back unless they also have first strike or double strike.

Common mistakes

Believing double strike “hits twice for double power” in one step.

Preventing damage in the wrong combat damage step.

Forgetting that lethal damage still uses state-based actions after damage is dealt.

Source and verification

Keyword rules for first strike and double strike; rule 615 for prevention; rule 704 for state-based actions after damage. At a sanctioned event, ask the event judge.

Related guides

• Assigning Combat Damage: Trample, Deathtouch, and Multiple Blockers

  How combat damage is assigned with multiple blockers, trample, deathtouch, and first strike—step by step.

• The Combat Phase, Step by Step

  A complete walkthrough of Magic's combat phase — every step, every priority window, and the rules that govern what actually happens when creatures fight.

• State-Based Actions in Magic: Rules Explained

  Learn how state-based actions work in Magic: The Gathering and why creatures die, players lose at zero life, and other automatic checks happen between actions.