Deathtouch — what does it mean?
Any amount of damage this deals is lethal: it destroys any creature it damages.
Deathtouch appears on 350 cards.
How does Deathtouch work?
Deathtouch is a static ability. A creature that's dealt damage by a source with deathtouch is destroyed, no matter how little damage it took. One point is enough. It doesn't happen in the middle of the damage itself; it happens the next time state-based actions are checked, which is right after, before anyone can respond.
Deathtouch works with any kind of damage, not just combat. A creature with deathtouch that pings another creature with an ability, or fights it, destroys it too. It doesn't do anything extra to players or planeswalkers, though: damage to them works like normal damage. And it's a real destroy, so a creature with indestructible survives it, and regeneration can replace it.
The nastiest pairing is with trample. For trample, any amount of damage from a deathtouch source counts as lethal damage, so you only need to assign 1 damage to each blocker and the rest can go through to the defending player or planeswalker. Add first strike and your creature kills its blocker before it can hit back. Multiple instances of deathtouch on the same creature don't add anything.
An example at the table
You attack with a 4/4 that has trample and deathtouch. Your opponent double-blocks with a 5/5 and a 2/2. Without deathtouch, you'd need to assign 7 damage before anything tramples over. With deathtouch, 1 per blocker is lethal. You assign 1 to the 5/5, 1 to the 2/2, and 2 to your opponent. All damage is dealt at the same time. Your opponent loses 2 life and both blockers are destroyed. Your 4/4 takes 7 damage back and dies too, unless something keeps it alive.
Cards with Deathtouch
Baleful StrixIllustration: Nils Hamm
Sheoldred, the ApocalypseIllustration: Chris Rahn
Elas il-Kor, Sadistic PilgrimIllustration: G-host Lee
Bloodthirsty ConquerorIllustration: Dmitry Burmak
The Gitrog MonsterIllustration: Jason KangCommon mistakes
- Thinking deathtouch only works in combat. Any damage from a deathtouch source counts, including damage from an ability or from a fight.
- Thinking deathtouch kills a player or a planeswalker outright. It only affects creatures; a planeswalker just loses loyalty equal to the damage.
- Thinking a creature with indestructible dies anyway. Deathtouch destroys, and indestructible permanents can't be destroyed.
- Thinking prevented damage still counts. If all the damage is prevented, no damage was dealt and nothing happens.
Frequently asked questions
- Does deathtouch kill an indestructible creature?
- No. Deathtouch destroys, and an indestructible creature can't be destroyed. The damage still stays marked on it until the end of the turn.
- Does deathtouch work with noncombat damage?
- Yes. Any damage a deathtouch source deals to a creature destroys it, whether it comes from combat, an ability, or a fight.
- Does deathtouch affect planeswalkers?
- No. A planeswalker dealt damage by a deathtouch source just loses that much loyalty.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 702.2. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
Which cards with Deathtouch do you own? →
Last updated: 26 October 2026