Newbie Question

[UberAlles]

Hi everyone, I'm kind of new at Magic, and I need help. Let me explain: I understand most of the rules and concepts of Magic, ect ect, but there are still things that I am very confused about. I tried asking other Magic players about them but they didn't explain it clear enough. So let me ask you guys.

1) What exactly is FIRST STRIKE? What does it do? What exactly happens?

2) I am very confused on the battle system. For example, if my 3/1 attacked and was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen?
a. If a creature has power of 0 what happens??
b. If a card like SHOCK dealt 2 damage to a creature does it deal the damage to the creature's power or toughness?
c. If a 2/2 blocked a 2/2 would they both die?
d. If a creature's toughness reaches 0 is it destroyed?
e. If a 4/4 was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen?

Sorry if I'm being stupid, I just need clarification if you can help.

[championbigpupp]

1) What exactly is FIRST STRIKE? What does it do? What exactly happens?

First Strike just means that a creature deals its damage to the other creature before another creature without first strike does....for example i attack with my 2/2 you block with your 2/2 w/first strike...no damage is dealt to you or your creature and my creature dies, yours does not.

2) I am very confused on the battle system. For example, if my 3/1 attacked and was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen? no damage would be dealt to me, but both creatures would die

a. If a creature has power of 0 what happens?? im still a little bit confused about this one, but i think that when a creature has power of zero nothing happens, but when his power is brought down below zero it dies, but im not totally sure.

b. If a card like SHOCK dealt 2 damage to a creature does it deal the damage to the creature's power or toughness? toughness

c. If a 2/2 blocked a 2/2 would they both die? yes

d. If a creature's toughness reaches 0 is it destroyed? yes

e. If a 4/4 was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen? no damage would be dealt to player and the 2/2 would die.


hope that helped, if someone can correct me then please do because im not exactly an expert magic player

[MillMaster]

To clarify the whole damage dealing thing...
Power is the ammount of dammage a creature can deal in combat, and toughness is the ammount of damage a creature can take before it takes lethal damage and is placed in the graveyard.

When creatures deal damage to each other in combat, they simultaneously deal their power to each other. That damage then "sits" on that creature untill end of turn, when it is removed. If a creatuer has taken an ammount of damage equal to its toughness, then it is placed in the graveyard.

When you asked what happens when creatures tougness reached zero I am assuming that you meant by an effect that says "target creature gets -2/-2" or something, because when a creature takes damage, it doesnt actualy reduce the toughness, it just places damage on that creature that is compared to its toughness.

If you cast a shock on a 4/4 creature, it doenst become a 4/2, it is just a 4/4 with 2 damage on it.

When a creature has zero power, it just has zero power. It wont deal any damage to a creature or player at all, it is just basicaly a blocker for the most part, unless you attack with it, and then later cast a spell that pumps up its power before damage is dealt.

[AKA:Battousai]

a creature with 0 power we'll use swamp mesquito as an example

it has whenever ~this~ deals combat damage to a player put a poison counter on that player, if that player has 10 poison counters on him or her they lose the game.

So I think a creature with 0 power still counts as dealing dmg when ever it nomally would it just deals 0. otherwise you would have to unholy strength that little bug.

[Felron1024]

dont worry, there is no stupid question and i am glad you asked.

1) What exactly is FIRST STRIKE? What does it do? What exactly happens?
ok, in magic. creatures would normally deal damage to eachother at the exact same time. if you have fist strike, then you get to deal the damage first THEN your opponent would deal the damage to you, if he was not destroyed by your attack.


2) I am very confused on the battle system. For example, if my 3/1 attacked and was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen?

since they deal damage at the same time, they would both die. since 3 beats 2 the 2/2 would die, and since 2 beats 1 the 3/1 would die.

a. If a creature has power of 0 what happens??

nothing, it just deals 0 damage if it where to attack (or defend) against another creature.

b. If a card like SHOCK dealt 2 damage to a creature does it deal the damage to the creature's power or toughness?

the damage would be dealt to the toughness

c. If a 2/2 blocked a 2/2 would they both die?

since the damage is dealt to both the creatures, at the same time, they would both die.

d. If a creature's toughness reaches 0 is it destroyed?

yes

e. If a 4/4 was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen?

if a 4/4 was blocked by a 2/2 the 4/4 would take 2 damage for one turn, and the 2/2 would die because its toughness has reached 0.


I hope that helped, if you dont understand anything ask me.

[AKA:Battousai]

"d. If a creature's toughness reaches 0 is it destroyed?"

"yes"

not only destroyed but placed directly into the graveyard, now that we also have to clarify when it comes to indestructable creatures the destroyed wording cannot be thrown around anymore

[Felron1024]

thats right, i forgot to add that, thx battosai.

[Utopian1]

1) What exactly is FIRST STRIKE? What does it do? What exactly happens? "First Strike" means that creatures with this ability always get to deal their combat damage 'first'. E.g. your '2/1 creature (http://mi.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/sabretooth_tiger.jpg), or artifact creature, with 1st strike' will kill your opponent's '2/2 creature (http://mi.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/grizzly_bears.jpg) w/o 1st strike' before his or her creature can strike back!

2) I am very confused on the battle system. For example, if my 3/1 attacked and was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen?Your creature with 3 power (the number on the left) will kill your opponent's creature with 2 toughness (the number on the right). Both of them would die & be sent to their respective graveyards.

a. If a creature has power of 0 what happens??The creature will deal '0' damage to your opponent or to his/her creature.

Note: It's best to use a creature with 0 power to 'block' your opponent's creature (like a "wall (http://mi.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/wall_of_stone.jpg)") until you can pump up it's power with some type of sorcery, instant, enchantment, or artifact/equipment.
b. If a card like SHOCK dealt 2 damage to a creature does it deal the damage to the creature's power or toughness?Toughness. All damage to creatures caused by spells or abilities are always aimed at the creature's toughness - unless the card states otherwise.
c. If a 2/2 blocked a 2/2 would they both die?Yes - unless, the creature is "indestructible (http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/darksteel/Darksteel_Gargoyle.jpg)".
d. If a creature's toughness reaches 0 is it destroyed?Yes, & it would also end up in the graveyard -- unless, you can regenerate (http://mi.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/regeneration.jpg) it.

This also goes for the new Darksteel (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=magic/expansion/darksteel) 'indestuctible' creatures as well ;)
e. If a 4/4 was blocked by a 2/2 what would happen?The 2/2 will die. The creature's 4 power is more than enough to take out the other creature's 2 toughness.

Note: If the 4/4 also has the "trample" ability, you can kill the 2/2 creature & have the rest 'spill over' to your opponent's life points! :D