C.1 - The Combat Phase


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C.1.1- The combat phase is divided into five steps: [CompRules 1999/04/23] 1. Beginning of Combat 2. Declare Attackers 3. Declare Blockers 4. Combat Damage 5. End of Combat

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C.1.2- All creatures involved in the attack move through all the steps at the same time. In other words, you do not move one attacker through the steps, and then go back and move a different attacker through. [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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C.1.3- A creature is only considered an "attacking creature" during steps 2 through 5, or "blocking creature" during steps 3 through 5. [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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C.1.4- A creature is removed from combat if it stops being a creature. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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C.1.5- A creature is removed from combat if its controller changes or if it leaves play. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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C.1.6- A creature is removed from the combat if it regenerates. [CompRules 1999/04/23] Note that it actually has to have its destruction prevented by a regeneration effect, not simply have a regeneration effect played on it in order to get removed. See Rule G.29.

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C.1.7- Once a creature is declared as an attacker or blocker, tapping or untapping the creature will not remove it from combat or prevent it from dealing combat damage. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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C.1.8- The term "combat damage" applies only to damage dealt in step 4 due to combat. Spells and abilities which do damage during the combat phase are not considered "combat damage". [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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C.1.Ruling.1- A creature which is removed from combat stops being an attacking or blocking creature. It does not untap. If removed prior to step 4, it will not deal or receive combat damage during step 4. [D'Angelo 1999/05/01]

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C.1.Ruling.2- If combat damage is redirected, it is still "combat damage". [D'Angelo 1999/05/01]

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C.1.Ruling.3- The combat phase can be mapped in a longer form like this: 1. Triggers on "beginning of combat", then chance for instants. 2. Declare attackers. 3. Triggers on attack declaration, then chance for instants. 4. Declare blockers. 5. Triggers on block declaration, then chance for instants. 6. Assign combat damage (but don't deal it yet) 7. Chance for instants. 8. Deal combat damage. 9. Triggers on damage being dealt, then chance for instants. 10. Triggers on "end of combat", then chance for instants. Creatures killed or removed from combat before step 6 don't deal or receive damage. Ones killed, that leave play, or that stop being creatures during step 7 still deal damage but will not receive it. Ones removed from combat (but still in play and are still creatures) during step 7 both deal and receive damage. [D'Angelo 2000/06/20]

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