Trample 101: Dominate the Battlefield with Overwhelming Force

What is Trample?

Trample is a powerful keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows creatures to deal excess damage to opponents when they attack. Specifically, if a creature with trample deals damage to a blocking creature, any remaining damage is dealt to the defending player.

The Benefits of Trample

Trample offers significant advantages in combat:

• Increased Damage Output: Trample ensures that your creatures can deal maximum damage, even when blocked by multiple smaller creatures.
• Overwhelm Opponent's Defenses: By bypassing blockers, trample lets you target opponents directly, potentially ending games quickly.
• Pressure Control Players: Trample forces opponents to consider blocking your creatures carefully, as they risk taking significant damage.

How Trample Works

Trample is applied during the combat phase when a creature with trample attacks. When your creature deals combat damage to a blocking creature, you assign damage to that creature first. Afterward, any remaining damage is assigned to the defending player.

Creatures with Trample

Many creatures in Magic: The Gathering feature the trample ability. Here are a few examples:

• Elephant Guide: Green creature with trample and 3 power.
• Carnage Tyrant: Red creature with trample and 6 power.
• Overrun: Enchantment that grants trample to all your attacking creatures.

Strategies for Using Trample

To effectively leverage trample, consider these strategies:

• Combine Multiple Trample Creatures: Attack with multiple creatures with trample to overwhelm your opponent's defenses.
• Pair with Evasion Abilities: Enhance the power of trample by giving your creatures evasion abilities like flying or unblockable.
• Use Trample Enchantments: Cast enchantments like Overrun to grant trample to all your attacking creatures.

Conclusion

Trample is a valuable ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows creatures to deal devastating damage in combat. By understanding its mechanics and implementing effective strategies, you can dominate the battlefield with overwhelming force.

FAQs about Trample

• Can trample damage planeswalkers? Yes, trample damage can target and damage planeswalkers.
• Can creatures with trample be blocked by creatures with indestructible? Yes, creatures with trample can be blocked by creatures with indestructible, but the indestructible creature will not suffer any damage.
• How does trample interact with lifelink? Trample creatures with lifelink will gain life equal to the amount of damage they deal to players.

Tables for Reference

Table 1: Damage Assignment with Trample

Table 2: Percentage of Magic Cards with Trample

Table 3: Average Power of Trample Creatures

Table 4: Top 5 Trample Creatures by Damage Output