Land LeechesHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Land Leeches is a 2/2 creature for three mana with the First strike keyword. This ability fundamentally alters the combat phase, allowing Land Leeches to deal its combat damage before creatures without first strike or double strike. If Land Leeches deals enough damage to destroy a blocking or blocked creature during this initial damage step, that creature is removed from the battlefield before it ever gets a chance to hit back.

Resolving Combat Step by Step

When Land Leeches engages in combat, the game creates two separate combat damage steps. First, during the initial combat damage step, only creatures with first strike or double strike assign and deal damage. Land Leeches deals its 2 damage here. If the opposing creature survives this blow, the game proceeds to the second combat damage step, where all other creatures (and those with double strike) deal their damage simultaneously.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that first strike only applies to combat damage. If an effect causes Land Leeches to 'fight' another creature, first strike does not apply; both creatures deal damage to each other at the same time. Additionally, if Land Leeches is blocked by multiple creatures, it only deals its 2 damage once during the first strike step, though it can distribute that damage among the blockers if it chooses.

When to Play It

Land Leeches is most effective when your opponent relies on small utility creatures or tokens. Because it deals damage first, it can effectively 'wall off' any 1-toughness or 2-toughness attackers without taking a scratch itself. It is a solid defensive choice that forces your opponent to commit larger resources or removal spells to clear a path.

Interaction examples

The Defensive Stand

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent attacks with Solemn Simulacrum, you can block with Land Leeches. During the first combat damage step, Land Leeches deals 2 damage to the Golem. Since the Golem has 2 toughness, it is destroyed and put into the graveyard immediately. The Solemn Simulacrum never gets to the second damage step, so it never deals its 2 damage to Land Leeches. Your Leech survives, and your opponent draws a card from the Golem's death trigger.

The Timing Trap

Sakura-Tribe Elder

If you attack with Land Leeches and your opponent blocks with Sakura-Tribe Elder, the opponent has a choice. If they wait for the first strike damage step, Land Leeches will deal 2 damage and destroy the Elder before the Elder can deal damage back. To get value, the opponent must sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to search for a land before the damage step begins. If they do, Land Leeches remains 'blocked' but deals no damage since its blocker is gone.