Combat Phase

Turn structure · beginner

The combat phase is six steps. Most of them you'll fly through, but knowing each one is here unlocks a lot of plays.

Beginning of combat ([507])

"At the beginning of combat" triggers go on the stack.
Players get priority.
This is the last chance to use abilities like activating creatures or tapping creatures down before attackers are declared. (e.g. Maze of Ith doesn't work after attackers are declared.)

Declare attackers ([508])

The active player declares which creatures attack and what each one is attacking (a player or a planeswalker).
Attacking creatures tap (unless they have vigilance).
Triggered abilities like "whenever this creature attacks" trigger now.
Players get priority.

Declare blockers ([509])

Each defending player declares blockers. Multiple creatures can block one attacker; one creature can block one attacker (unless it has menace, etc.).
The attacker declares damage assignment order for each blocker.
Defenders declare blockers, but the attacker can also block the blocking creatures in some cases (with abilities like Cunning Sparkmage's ping). Standard rule: blockers are declared by the defender.
Triggered abilities like "whenever this creature blocks" trigger now.
Players get priority.

First strike damage ([510])

This step exists only if a creature in combat has first strike or double strike.
First strike and double strike creatures deal their combat damage now.
State-based actions are checked, dead creatures go to graveyards.
Players get priority.

Combat damage ([510])

Remaining creatures (those that haven't dealt damage yet, or have double strike) deal combat damage simultaneously.
Damage is dealt according to the damage assignment order set during declare blockers.
State-based actions check, dead creatures go to graveyards.
Players get priority.

End of combat ([511])

"At the end of combat" triggers go on the stack.
Players get priority.
After this step, all "until end of combat" effects expire.

A common timing rule

You can't tap a creature in response to the declare attackers step to prevent it from attacking -- the attacking creature is already declared. To prevent an attack, you need to tap or remove the creature during the beginning of combat step.

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