Does Infect Only Apply to Combat Damage?

Infect does not only apply to combat damage, as it is an ability that modifies the results of any damage dealt by a source with infect, whether it’s during the combat damage step or not. The infect ability causes creatures to deal damage in the form of -1/-1 counters to other creatures and poison counters to players, which can ultimately lead to a player losing the game if they accumulate ten or more poison counters.

Understanding Infect and Its Applications

Infect is a unique ability that has been part of the Magic: The Gathering universe, particularly prominent in sets like Scars of Mirrodin. It introduces a new layer of strategy, focusing on dealing damage in a way that bypasses traditional life total reduction, instead aiming to accumulate poison counters on players or -1/-1 counters on creatures.

Infect Mechanics

The infect ability modifies how damage is dealt, turning it into -1/-1 counters for creatures and poison counters for players. This means that any damage from a source with infect, regardless of whether it’s dealt during the combat damage step or through other means, will apply these counters.

Frequently Asked Questions About Infect

1. Does Infect Work Against Creatures? Infect works against creatures by dealing damage in the form of -1/-1 counters, which can lead to the creature’s death if it receives enough counters to reduce its toughness to zero or less.

2. Can Infect Damage Be Prevented? Yes, infect damage can be prevented by effects that prevent damage, such as protection or fog effects, which can stop creatures with infect from dealing damage.

3. Does Infect Apply to Planeswalkers? Infect can damage planeswalkers, removing loyalty counters as a result of the damage dealt.

4. How Does Proliferate Work with Infect? Proliferate can work in conjunction with infect by allowing players to add additional counters to permanents or players, potentially accelerating the infect strategy.

5. Is Infect Viable in Commander? Yes, infect is a viable strategy in Commander, offering a unique way to win games, but it comes with its own set of challenges and political considerations.

6. Does Infect Beat Indestructible Creatures? Infect can indeed affect indestructible creatures by giving them -1/-1 counters, which can put them into the graveyard if their toughness becomes zero or less, regardless of their indestructible status.

7. Does Deathtouch Work with Infect? Deathtouch and infect can work together, with deathtouch ensuring that any creature dealt damage by an infect creature is destroyed, and infect applying -1/-1 counters to the creature before it dies.

8. Does Lifelink Work with Infect? Lifelink can work with infect, as the infect ability does not prevent lifelink from triggering; lifelink gains life based on the damage dealt before infect modifies it into -1/-1 counters or poison counters.

9. Can You Counter Infect with Removal Spells? Yes, one way to counter infect is by using removal spells to eliminate creatures with infect, though this can be card-intensive and requires careful mana management.

10. Does Saskia Work with Infect? Saskia the Unyielding can work with infect by either doubling the infect damage dealt to a single player or splitting it among multiple players, making infect a more viable and flexible strategy.

11. Does Preventing Combat Damage Prevent Poison Counters? Preventing combat damage can prevent poison counters from being applied through infect creatures, but poison counters can still be applied through other means, such as proliferate or direct poison counter application effects.

12. How Does Infect Interact with Teferi’s Protection? Teferi’s protection can prevent damage from creatures with infect, thereby preventing the application of -1/-1 counters or poison counters.

13. Do Damage Doublers Work with Infect? Yes, damage doublers can work with infect, doubling the number of -1/-1 counters or poison counters applied, making infect creatures potentially more lethal.

14. Is Infect Better Than Toxic? The comparison between infect and toxic depends on the strategy and the game’s context; infect focuses solely on applying -1/-1 counters or poison counters, while toxic can deal both combat damage and apply poison counters.

15. Does Lathril Work with Infect? Lathril’s ability causes life loss, which is separate from damage and infect; having infect does not directly affect how Lathril causes life loss through its ability.