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Hey all, so I earlier today I ran into a problem regarding the combat phase, specifically the declare blockers and combat damage steps. I was always under the assumption that if an opponent declares a blocker, then I do something, say Murder, to kill it, the damage from my attacking creature would go through. But today, I attacked my friend's Elspeth card, that was at 4 loyalty, with two vampire nighthawks, which should have have killed it. However, he has a flyer on the field and says he's going to block, so in response, I murder it. He then tries to claim that because he already declared the blocker, the damage from his flyer happens regardless, meaining not only would one of my nighthawks fail to get through and kill elspeth, but also my nighthawk would die from the damage it took from his flyer (herald of war). That can't be right though can it? Otherwise, that means that damage happens literally the instant someone declares a blocker, not allowing time to buff your creature or kill his. If I can throw an instant literally anytime during the game, I see no reason why I can't murder something "at the end of the declare blockers step." Any clarification would be appreciated, thanks!

Once a creature is blocked, it stays blocked for the duration of the combat phase. You have to remove potential blockers before your opponent blocks. (He can't block until you are finished casting spells/abilities).

If you kill his blocker before the combat damage step, it will deal no combat damage (because it's not on the battlefield). Your blocked creature will deal no combat damage unless it has trample or a similar ability because it was blocked.