Do you gain life from Lifelink when blocking?
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The answer to the question of whether you gain life from Lifelink when blocking is yes, as Lifelink is triggered by any damage dealt by the creature, including damage dealt during the blocking process. This means that if a creature with Lifelink blocks an attacking creature, the controller of the blocking creature will gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt by the blocking creature.
Understanding Lifelink and Blocking
To fully comprehend how Lifelink works when blocking, it’s essential to understand the basics of both Lifelink and the blocking mechanism in Magic: The Gathering (MtG). Lifelink is a static ability that allows the controller of a creature with Lifelink to gain life whenever that creature deals damage to any target.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Lifelink Work When Blocking?
Yes, Lifelink works when blocking because it triggers on any damage dealt by the creature, regardless of whether it’s during combat or through another effect.
2. Does Lifelink Apply When Defending?
Lifelink applies whenever the creature deals damage, which includes defending, as the ability simply states “damage dealt.”
3. How Much Life Do You Gain from Lifelink?
You gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt by the creature with Lifelink.
4. What is the Lifelink Rule?
The Lifelink rule states that if a creature has Lifelink, any amount of damage it deals allows its controller to gain that much life.
5. Does Preventing Damage Stop Lifelink?
Yes, preventing damage stops Lifelink because Lifelink triggers on damage dealt, and if damage is prevented, it is not considered dealt.
6. Does Deathtouch Cancel Lifelink?
No, Deathtouch does not cancel Lifelink; instead, Lifelink will still gain life based on the damage dealt, even if that damage is lethal due to Deathtouch.
7. Does Deathtouch Work When Blocking?
Yes, Deathtouch works when blocking, as it functions anytime a creature with Deathtouch deals damage.
8. Does Trample Work When Blocking?
No, Trample does not work when blocking; it only modifies the rules for assigning an attacking creature’s combat damage.
9. Does First Strike Work When Blocking?
Yes, First Strike works when blocking, affecting the order in which creatures deal combat damage.
10. Does Deathtouch Work on Planeswalkers?
No, Deathtouch does not work on Planeswalkers because Deathtouch only affects creatures.
11. Can You Block with Planeswalkers?
No, players cannot use Planeswalkers to block.
12. How Does Blocking and Attacking Work in MtG?
Attacking creatures assign combat damage to their targets, while blocking creatures assign combat damage among the creatures they block.
13. What is Deathtouch and Lifelink?
Deathtouch makes any non-zero damage assignment lethal to creatures, while Lifelink gains life equal to the damage dealt by the source.
14. Do Shield Counters Prevent Lifelink?
Yes, shield counters can prevent Lifelink by preventing damage, which Lifelink relies on to trigger.
15. Does Double Strike Affect Lifelink?
Yes, Double Strike affects Lifelink by allowing the creature to deal damage twice, thereby potentially doubling the life gained from Lifelink.