How does the mechanic "first strike" impact the strategy of blocking in Magic: The Gathering?

The mechanic "first strike" in Magic: The Gathering allows a creature to deal damage before creatures without first strike during combat. This impacts the strategy of blocking because creatures with first strike can potentially eliminate or weaken opposing creatures before they have a chance to deal damage back. Players need to consider the presence of first strike when deciding how to block and which creatures to attack with.