How does Steel Hellkite's ability work in 2HG?

Asked by thaimaishuu 13 years ago

How does steel hellkite ability work in 2-hg (the last ability upon damage). If i attack player A and then pay 3 mana for the last ability, does it destroy permanents from both players fields, or only the player that I attacked?

Mpz5 says... #1

They both share a life total, thus, they both get their stuff blown up.

I'm about 99% sure of this.

January 15, 2011 11:57 p.m.

mafteechr says... Accepted answer #2

Actually, Mpz5 is incorrect.

  1. Two-Headed Giant Variant

810.7f As the combat damage step begins, the active team announces how each attacking creature will assign its combat damage. If an attacking creature would assign combat damage to the defending team, the active team chooses only one of the defending players for that creature to assign its combat damage to. Then the defending team announces how each blocking creature will assign its combat damage.

If any combat damage goes through, the attacking team chooses which player receives the combat damage. The resulting life loss is then reflected in the team's shared life total.

January 16, 2011 12:07 a.m.

Mpz5 says... #3

Really? I was always under the impression that you attack the other team since they share a life total and not an individual player.

My bad man, that's why I didn't say 100% I guess. Haven't played it much but it just seemed right under how I thought damage assignment worked. Thanks for correcting me.

January 16, 2011 12:16 a.m.

thaimaishuu says... #4

Here is what I see. "X: Destroy each nonland permanent with converted mana cost X whose controller was dealt combat damage by Steel Hellkite this turn." This to me says that each controller that takes damage will be affected. Which means it will hit both players. This is because even if you must choose one player. They both share the same life total. So each player that took damage will be affected.

January 16, 2011 12:23 a.m.

Mpz5 says... #5

That was my reasoning but like I said. I do not play 2HG much...

It does seem like both players had been dealt damage by the hellkite, even if only 1 was attacked but according to the rules, the other player does not suffer combat damage, just loss of life which is distinctly different. I have to side with mafteechr on this one.

January 16, 2011 12:32 a.m.

thaimaishuu says... #6

I can accept that argument. Both players lose life, but only one takes combat damage. Therefore, only one player will loose permanents if any. Good call Mpz5.

January 16, 2011 1:37 a.m.

MagnorCriol says... #7

This is exactly why I'm not personally fond of the 2HG format; the rules governing damage/lifeloss and control are highly counter-intuitive.

January 16, 2011 11:26 a.m.

thaimaishuu says... #8

It does seem like that sometimes, but 2HG is still the most fair multiplayer variant I know.

January 16, 2011 2:14 p.m.

This discussion has been closed