First & double strike
Keyword abilities
Deal combat damage in an earlier step — double strike deals in both.
How it works
If any attacking or blocking creature has first strike or double strike, combat damage is dealt in two steps. First-strike and double-strike creatures deal damage in the first step; everyone else deals in the normal second step.
Double strike deals damage in both steps, so it hits with first-strike timing and again with regular timing.
Common confusions
“First striker kills the blocker before it hits back.”
Yes. If first-strike damage destroys a creature, that creature is gone before the normal damage step and deals no damage.
“Gaining first strike after the first-strike step.”
If a creature gains first strike only after the first-strike step has passed, it won't deal damage in that step but will still deal damage in the normal step (it doesn't 'miss out' — unless it already dealt damage as a double striker).
“First strike plus deathtouch.”
Brutal combo: the first-strike deathtouch damage destroys the blocker before it can deal its own damage back.