Block/Tap

[Baconator]

When an attacker is assigned and the opponent assigns a blocker who has a tap ability and uses it before combat damage is dealt, how does the combat play out?

[D3g3n]

Assuming defender assigned that creature as a blocker, once blockers have been declared, combat damage is assigned normally even if defender is tapped.
Also, the creature's ability resolves first, then combat damage assignment proceeds it.

[KulrathKnight]

I've been wondering similar questions and rather than starting my own topic I'll ask them here

What if the blocking creature's tap ability causes it to return to its owner's hand? Or change zones? How does it play out?

Also what if the attacking creature goes unblocked and is {Boomerang}ed to its owner's hand before combat damage step?

Would the outcome of that scenario change if the bounce was done before blockers were declared?

[BlackJester]

I've been wondering similar questions and rather than starting my own topic I'll ask them here

What if the blocking creature's tap ability causes it to return to its owner's hand? Or change zones? How does it play out?

If a blocker leaves the battlefield before the end of combat, all creatures that it blocked are still considered blocked.  If a blocked creature has trample, it will have to deal enough damage to destroy the blocker (0, since there is no blocker now) and the rest to the player/PW it is attacking.

Also what if the attacking creature goes unblocked and is {Boomerang}ed to its owner's hand before combat damage step?

It gets returned to its owner's hand.  End of story.

Would the outcome of that scenario change if the bounce was done before blockers were declared?

If a creature is bounced before blockers are declared, then it's not there to block or be blocked and so doesn't play any further role in combat.

[KulrathKnight]

Finally I have a definitive answer to those confusions I had. Thanks again Jester!