Can You Regenerate a Creature Killed by Deathtouch?
The short answer is: Yes, you can regenerate a creature damaged by Deathtouch, but only before it is destroyed. Once a creature has been destroyed, regeneration is no longer possible. This is a critical distinction, and understanding it is key to effectively playing Magic: The Gathering.
Let’s delve into why this is the case and clarify the mechanics at play.
Understanding Deathtouch and Regeneration
Deathtouch: The Lethal Touch
Deathtouch is a static ability in Magic: The Gathering. It means that any amount of damage dealt by a source with deathtouch to a creature is considered lethal damage. This is true whether it’s one point of damage or a hundred. The creature with deathtouch doesn’t need to inflict damage equal to the target’s toughness to destroy it, as is usually the case. A single point of damage from a source with deathtouch is sufficient.
Regeneration: A Shield Against Destruction
Regeneration is a replacement effect that prevents a creature from being destroyed. When a creature with an active regeneration shield would be destroyed, it’s instead removed from combat, tapped, all damage is removed from it, and it stays on the battlefield. This prevents the creature’s death and allows it to be ready for action again. However, this effect only works if applied before the destruction takes place. Think of it as intercepting the killing blow, not resurrecting after the fact.
The Critical Timing
The crucial point is that Regeneration has to be activated before a creature is destroyed. It’s not a “get out of jail free card” that brings creatures back from the graveyard. Instead, it intercepts the destruction and keeps the creature on the battlefield.
If a creature with regeneration is dealt lethal damage (including damage from deathtouch), you can choose to activate its regeneration shield. If you do, the creature will not be destroyed. It will, instead, be removed from combat, tapped, and all damage will be removed. If you do not activate regeneration at the opportune moment, the creature will be destroyed. Once destroyed, it cannot be brought back via regeneration.
Deathtouch Doesn’t Negate Regeneration – It Just Makes It More Urgent
Deathtouch doesn’t inherently stop regeneration; it just makes it much more critical to be proactive. With regular damage, you might wait and see if your creature will survive. But with deathtouch, every hit is a potential death blow. Therefore, if you want to save your creature with regeneration from a creature with deathtouch, you need to be ready to activate that regeneration shield immediately after the damage is dealt.
It’s also vital to understand that you only need to activate regeneration once per destruction instance. If a creature with regeneration blocks or is blocked by a deathtouch creature, you don’t have to pay the regeneration cost twice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide further clarity, here are some frequently asked questions regarding deathtouch and regeneration:
1. Does Regeneration Stop Deathtouch?
No, regeneration does not stop deathtouch. Deathtouch still makes the damage lethal. However, regeneration can prevent a creature damaged by deathtouch from being destroyed, as long as it’s activated before the destruction occurs.
2. What Happens if a Creature Can’t Be Regenerated?
If a creature “can’t be regenerated,” it simply means that the regeneration replacement effect won’t apply to it, even if you try to activate it. You can still use regeneration spells or abilities, but they will have no effect on that particular creature.
3. What Happens if You Fight a Creature with Deathtouch?
During a fight (such as with cards like Prey Upon), both creatures deal damage simultaneously. If one creature has deathtouch, then any damage dealt by that creature will be enough to destroy the other creature, and vice-versa if both have deathtouch.
4. Does Indestructible Beat Deathtouch?
Yes, indestructible beats deathtouch. An indestructible creature cannot be destroyed by lethal damage, regardless of the source, even if the source has deathtouch. Therefore, indestructible creatures are immune to deathtouch.
5. Is Deathtouch Only Combat Damage?
No, deathtouch is not only combat damage. Deathtouch applies to any damage dealt by a source with deathtouch, regardless of whether the damage is from combat or a spell or ability.
6. Can You Regenerate a Creature After It Dies?
No, you cannot regenerate a creature after it has been destroyed. Regeneration functions as a replacement effect. Therefore, it must be activated before destruction happens, not after.
7. Does Deathtouch Cancel Deathtouch?
No, deathtouch does not cancel deathtouch. If two creatures with deathtouch deal damage to each other, the damage is lethal for both creatures.
8. Does Hexproof Stop Deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not stop deathtouch. Hexproof only prevents a creature from being the target of spells or abilities controlled by your opponents. Deathtouch doesn’t target. It’s a static ability that modifies how the damage is treated.
9. Does Fight Activate Deathtouch?
Yes, fight activates deathtouch. During a fight, damage is dealt simultaneously by the creatures, and deathtouch will trigger as normal, causing the damage to be lethal.
10. What Happens if a Creature Has First Strike and Deathtouch?
A creature with first strike and deathtouch will deal its damage first. If that damage is enough to destroy the opposing creature, it will die before dealing damage back.
11. Does Shroud Negate Deathtouch?
No, shroud does not negate deathtouch. Shroud prevents a creature from being targeted by spells or abilities, but deathtouch doesn’t target, so it will still apply to creatures with shroud.
12. Does Deathtouch Work on Planeswalkers?
No, deathtouch does not work on Planeswalkers. Deathtouch only applies to creatures, not Planeswalkers. To damage or destroy a Planeswalker, you need a different ability, or you have to deal damage to them directly.
13. What Stops Deathtouch?
Several things can stop or negate deathtouch. Indestructible, first strike, or killing the creature with deathtouch before it hits are some of these options. Also, regeneration, if triggered before the creature dies.
14. Can You Regenerate a Creature Twice?
Yes, you can regenerate a creature multiple times each turn, provided that you can pay the cost for each instance of regeneration.
15. How Does Deathtouch Work with Lifelink?
Deathtouch and lifelink function independently. Lifelink causes its controller to gain life when damage is dealt, and deathtouch makes that same damage lethal if dealt to a creature. They don’t impact each other.
Conclusion
Understanding the interplay of deathtouch and regeneration is vital for any Magic: The Gathering player. Remember, regeneration is a preventative measure, not a resurrection tool. You must activate it before your creature is destroyed. Deathtouch makes this timing critical. By mastering these mechanics, you can make more informed decisions on the battlefield and improve your overall gameplay.