Deathtouch vs Regenerate: Understanding the Mechanics
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Deathtouch does not necessarily “beat” regenerate, as regeneration can prevent a creature from being destroyed by deathtouch if the regeneration effect is applied before the deathtouch effect resolves, essentially making the creature indestructible for that turn. The interaction between deathtouch and regenerate depends on the order in which their effects are applied, making it crucial to understand the timing and rules governing these keyword abilities.
Understanding Deathtouch and Regenerate
To delve deeper into how deathtouch and regenerate interact, it’s essential to understand what each of these keyword abilities does. Deathtouch is an ability that means any amount of damage dealt by a creature with deathtouch to another creature is considered lethal, destroying the creature it damages. On the other hand, regenerate is a replacement effect that, when applied to a creature, prevents it from being destroyed and instead, taps it, removes all damage from it, and removes it from combat.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Deathtouch Kill Indestructible Creatures?
No, indestructible creatures are immune to deathtouch because they cannot be destroyed.
2. What Beats Deathtouch?
Deathtouch can be beaten by removal spells, first strike or double strike, and creatures with indestructible.
3. Does Regenerate Stop Destroy Effects?
Yes, regenerate functions as a replacement effect that stops a creature from being destroyed, instead applying a different effect.
4. What is the Rule of Regenerate?
The rule of regenerate is that the next time a creature would be destroyed, it isn’t, and instead, it’s tapped, all damage is removed from it, and it’s removed from combat.
5. Does Hexproof Stop Deathtouch?
No, hexproof does not stop deathtouch because deathtouch does not target.
6. How Does Deathtouch Work When Blocking?
When blocking, a creature with deathtouch will kill the creature it’s blocking unless that creature has indestructible.
7. Does Protection Stop Deathtouch?
Yes, protection from the color of the creature with deathtouch will prevent the deathtouch effect.
8. Do Board Wipes Affect Indestructible Creatures?
It depends on the board wipe’s effect; if it destroys or damages, indestructible creatures are unaffected, but if it exiles or gives -X/-X, they can be affected.
9. Does Indestructible Prevent 0/0?
No, indestructible does not prevent a creature from dying if its toughness is reduced to zero.
10. Does Deathtouch Kill a Creature with a Shield Counter?
A creature with a shield counter can still be destroyed by deathtouch if the deathtouch damage is unpreventable.
11. Does First Strike Negate Deathtouch?
First strike can negate deathtouch if the first strike creature kills the creature with deathtouch before it can deal damage.
12. What Destroys Indestructible Creatures?
Indestructible creatures can be put into their owner’s graveyard by the legend rule, sacrifice, or having zero or less toughness, and they can be removed from the battlefield by being bounced or exiled.
13. Does Deathtouch Work During a Fight?
Yes, deathtouch works during a fight as the damage is dealt simultaneously and is considered normal damage for the purposes of deathtouch.
14. Does Deathtouch Add Poison Counters?
No, deathtouch itself does not add poison counters, although there may be specific cards that combine these effects.
15. Does Shroud Block Deathtouch?
No, shroud does not block deathtouch because deathtouch does not target the creature it destroys.