What is the best defenses against double strike for commander?

Commander (EDH) forum

Posted on April 8, 2016, 1:38 p.m. by clintoncoleatkinson

I have been having a hard time dealing with decks that use a lot of double strike and was curious as to what the best ways to defend against it is, without getting all my creatures killed off. If anyone has any major suggestions other then using straight counter spells on all of his double strike options. Thanks

Epochalyptik says... #2

It's hard to say without knowing what colors you're playing (or what kind of deck).

April 8, 2016 1:41 p.m.

trinitok says... #3

Energy Field + Rest in Peace . Let them attack. You don't care.

Of course, board wipes work but aren't that fun.

April 8, 2016 1:44 p.m.

griffstick says... #4

Token deck would work

April 8, 2016 1:45 p.m.

Lanzo493 says... #5

There's Darksteel Plate for one. Great card.

In multicolor you've got Gisela, Blade of Goldnight who sort of stops double strike.

Blue has bounce. There's Wash Out effects which are symmetrical. If you want a more conditional, usually better option there's AEtherize and AEtherspouts. Then there's the king of all bouncers the Cyclonic Rift.

In white you've got Avacyn, Angel of Hope and I suppose Faith's Reward. You can also fight fire with fire and use True Conviction. If he attacks with a lot of creatures, and you don't, then Lightmine Field can be a pretty strong card. You've got Holy Day too, just don't run it. Comeuppance, on the other hand, is great for punishing attackers.

In black you have kill effects. Plague Wind, and In Garruk's Wake are pretty good, if you have the mana. There's also No Mercy. Mikaeus, the Unhallowed can keep your creatures from dying, and kill humans.

I can't think of anything for green or red right now.

I hope I suggested cards you like that are in the colors you're looking for, because I don't know what colors you're looking for.

April 8, 2016 1:52 p.m.

GearNoir says... #6

There are plenty of options depending on your colors.

One of my favorites against superior creatures is using a deathtouch creature with First Strike or pinging with something like Thornbite Staff.

April 8, 2016 2:05 p.m.

kipahlord13 says... #7

Use first/double strike of your own, or I like pillow fort effects like Norn's Annex and the like, or my favorite commander, Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts

April 8, 2016 2:13 p.m.

griffstick says... #8

April 8, 2016 2:15 p.m.

griffstick says... #9

Stop them from attacking with Propaganda or Ghostly Prison I love these cards cause they look at someone else and attack. Cause they can't spend the manna to hit you

April 8, 2016 2:16 p.m. Edited.

GearNoir says... #10

The archetypes are fantastic as long as you can recur them.

Valor or Knighthood and similar cards are also quite good.

April 8, 2016 2:21 p.m.

MagicalHacker says... #11

Double strike is hosed by cards like Dread, No Mercy, and Dissipation Field.

April 8, 2016 2:41 p.m.

Sorry I forgot to put up the colors of my two decks. One is Naya(Red,Green,White) and the other is Bant (Blue,Green,White). The Bant deck is control and counter spell based where the Naya is creating tokens and trying to overwhelm.

Some of those suggestions so far will work. Thank you very much.

April 8, 2016 2:45 p.m.

JANKYARD_DOG says... #13

Winds of Qal Sisma is a nice one sided fog.

April 8, 2016 4:37 p.m.

chirz2792 says... #14

Brago, King Eternal and Stonehorn Dignitary deals with double strike pretty effectively.

April 8, 2016 4:56 p.m.

While it may seem like a stupid card, Bubble Matrix is a solid card for tiny creatures blocking big or double strike creatures.

Meishin, the Mind Cage also works if you have lots of card draw.

Blasphemous Act is a great red board wipe.

April 9, 2016 12:31 a.m.

geekmp3 says... #16

I really enjoy running Spike Weaver in my Abzan decks. :) Fog for days.

April 9, 2016 3:36 a.m.

AlexoBn says... #17

Solitary Confinement is a solid option when you can achieve a lot of card draw

April 9, 2016 5:29 a.m.

Greendawg81 says... #18

You could always steal them and use em for yourself. Control Magic, Treachery, Memnarch, Jeering Instigator, Evil Twin and many others can make your opponents stuff yours.

April 9, 2016 9:59 a.m.

Deruvid says... #19

Deploy and protect Blazing Archon. Or Avacyn, Angel of Hope plus blockers.

In blue, Stormtide Leviathan unless they are flying doublestrikers. Otherwise, Equilibrium.

April 13, 2016 9:43 a.m.

This discussion has been closed