What occurs first when resolving combat interactions involving a first striker?

In combat interactions involving a first striker, the first step is that the creature with first strike assigns and deals its damage before the non-first striker has the opportunity to respond. This is a key aspect of combat damage resolution. The rules state that during the combat damage step, creatures with first strike (or double strike) deal their combat damage before creatures without first strike have a chance to do so.

When a first striker is present and is involved in combat, it deals its damage first, potentially eliminating the non-first striker before that creature gets to deal its damage. This sequencing is essential to understanding how combat works in Magic: The Gathering, as it can greatly affect the outcome of the encounter and the state of the battlefield.

Non-first strikers only deal damage afterward, which means they might not have an opportunity to deal damage at all if they are destroyed by the first striker's damage. Additionally, since the combat phase does not end after damage assignment, the answer regarding the combat phase ending is not applicable here.