First Strike Ability in Magic the Gathering

First Strike is a keyword ability in Magic: The Gathering that allows a creature to deal its combat damage before creatures without First Strike during the combat damage step.

Utility in Gameplay and Deck Building

1. Combat Superiority: Gives an edge in battles, potentially destroying an opposing creature before it can deal damage back.
2. Defensive and Offensive Use: Useful both for attacking into potentially dangerous creatures and for deterring attacks.
3. Synergy with Power-Boosting Effects: Particularly effective in decks that can increase creature power, maximizing the benefit of striking first.

In deck building, First Strike is valuable in aggressive strategies and can be effectively used in control decks as a defensive tool.