Does Infect Prevent Lifelink? The Definitive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
No, infect does not prevent lifelink. These two abilities function independently and can coexist without canceling each other out. When a creature with both infect and lifelink deals damage, the damage is dealt in the form of -1/-1 counters to creatures and poison counters to players. Simultaneously, because the source dealt damage, its controller gains life equal to the amount of damage dealt, irrespective of whether that damage was conventional or modified by infect. Think of it like this: infect changes what the damage does, while lifelink cares that damage happened. Now, let’s dive deeper into the nuances with some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Infect, Lifelink, and Related Abilities
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to clarify any confusion regarding infect, lifelink, and other related mechanics in Magic: The Gathering (MTG).
Does Damage from Infect Still Trigger Lifelink?
Yes! Absolutely. Even though infect changes the effect of the damage (giving -1/-1 counters or poison counters instead of reducing life or toughness), it is still considered damage. As long as damage is dealt by a source with lifelink, the controller of that source gains life equal to the amount of damage dealt. It doesn’t matter that it was damage of the infect variety.
Does Infect Deal Life Damage?
No, infect does not deal life damage. Instead of causing a player to lose life, damage from a source with infect causes that player to receive poison counters. If a player accumulates ten or more poison counters, they lose the game.
How Can You Prevent Damage from a Creature with Lifelink and Infect?
Just like any other damage, you can prevent damage from a creature with lifelink and infect using various methods, such as:
- Fog effects: Spells like “Fog” prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn.
- Protection: Giving yourself or your creatures protection from the color of the attacking creature.
- Damage prevention abilities: Cards that specifically prevent damage.
- Shield Counters: These can be very effective in preventing infect and life link from working.
Does Lifelink Work If Damage Is Prevented?
No. Lifelink is a static ability that triggers when damage is dealt. If the damage is completely prevented, it is as though it never happened. The lifelink ability does not trigger, and no life is gained.
How Does Poisonous Interact with Lifelink?
Poisonous is a triggered ability that puts poison counters on a player when a creature with poisonous deals combat damage to them. It functions similarly to infect in that regard. However, lifelink still triggers based on the amount of combat damage dealt, regardless of whether that damage resulted in poison counters from poisonous.
Does Deathtouch Cancel Lifelink?
Deathtouch does not cancel lifelink. Deathtouch simply means that any amount of damage a creature deals to another creature is lethal. Lifelink still triggers based on the amount of damage dealt. A 1/1 creature with both deathtouch and lifelink that deals 1 damage will destroy the creature it damaged and cause its controller to gain 1 life.
How Does Deathtouch Work with Infect?
Deathtouch works exceptionally well with infect. A creature with both deathtouch and infect only needs to deal 1 damage to a creature to destroy it due to deathtouch. That creature will also receive one -1/-1 counter due to infect. It’s a potent combination for creature removal.
Does Lifelink Work on Overkill Damage?
Yes! Lifelink works on all damage dealt, even if it’s more than enough to destroy a creature. You gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt, not just the amount needed to kill the creature.
Does Deflecting Palm Stop Lifelink?
Deflecting Palm can be used against a creature with lifelink, but it does not directly stop the lifelink. Deflecting Palm prevents the damage that would have been dealt to you and then deals that same amount of damage to the attacker. Since the attacker is now taking damage (from Deflecting Palm) and not dealing damage, the lifelink ability on the attacker doesn’t trigger for that damage.
Does Infect Apply to Non-Combat Damage?
Yes, infect applies to all damage dealt by a source with infect, regardless of whether it’s combat damage, damage from an activated ability, or damage from a spell. A Lightning Bolt with infect will deal three poison counters to a player.
Does Lifelink and Infect Stack?
No, multiple instances of the same ability do not stack. One instance of lifelink is all you need, just like one instance of infect is all you need. Having a creature with multiple instances of either ability does not provide any additional benefit.
Do Shield Counters Prevent Lifelink?
Yes, shield counters prevent lifelink. Shield counters prevent damage to your creatures as a replacement effect. Since the creature with lifelink did not deal damage because it was prevented by the shield counter, lifelink will not trigger.
Does Infect Go Through Teferi’s Protection?
Teferi’s Protection is a tricky case. Teferi’s Protection states, “You can’t lose life, and creatures you control can’t be destroyed this turn.” While it prevents life loss from damage, it does not prevent you from receiving damage. Therefore, you still receive poison counters from an infect source, even under Teferi’s Protection, although you can’t lose life from other sources.
Does Infect Bypass Indestructible?
Yes and no. Indestructible prevents a creature from being destroyed by damage. However, infect deals damage in the form of -1/-1 counters. If a creature receives enough -1/-1 counters to reduce its toughness to zero, it will still be put into the graveyard, even if it has indestructible. Thus, infect can “bypass” indestructible by eventually killing the creature through -1/-1 counters.
Does Deathtouch Work When Blocking?
Yes! Deathtouch works any time the creature deals damage. This includes blocking, attacking, or even dealing damage through activated abilities. The moment damage is dealt by a creature with deathtouch to another creature, that creature is destroyed.
We hope these FAQs have clarified the interaction between infect, lifelink, and other relevant mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding these interactions is crucial for strategic gameplay and deck building. If you are interested in learning more about the educational potential of games, consider visiting the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society is committed to creating high-quality learning experiences.