Lifelink and Non-Combat Damage: A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, lifelink absolutely counts for non-combat damage. Any damage dealt by a source with lifelink, regardless of whether it’s in combat or through other means, will cause its controller to gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt. This applies whether the damage is dealt to a creature, a player, a planeswalker, or even a battle.
Understanding Lifelink’s Mechanics
Lifelink is a powerful ability that provides a constant stream of life gain whenever the source it’s attached to deals damage. It’s crucial to understand how it interacts with various game mechanics to maximize its effectiveness. While seemingly simple, lifelink’s interaction with other keywords and game states can be surprisingly nuanced.
Distinguishing Combat and Non-Combat Damage
The key to understanding lifelink’s applicability lies in differentiating between combat and non-combat damage. Combat damage is specifically the damage dealt during the combat damage step by attacking or blocking creatures. Conversely, non-combat damage encompasses any damage dealt outside of this step. This can include damage from spells like Lightning Bolt, abilities of creatures like Prodigal Sorcerer, or even activated abilities of artifacts or enchantments.
Examples of Lifelink with Non-Combat Damage
Imagine a scenario where you control a creature with lifelink, such as Vampire Nighthawk, and you cast Lightning Bolt targeting your opponent. Because Vampire Nighthawk is on the battlefield with the ability to lifelink, for every damage that it deals to another creature, player or planeswalker, you also gain that much life. Even though the damage from Lightning Bolt wasn’t dealt during combat, the fact that it’s dealing damage is enough to trigger lifelink and net you three life. Or another scenario where you control a creature with lifelink like [[Angel of Vitality]], if you were to use a spell that does damage to a creature or Planeswalker, you would gain life equal to the damage dealt by the spell.
Another example: a creature with lifelink is equipped with an equipment that allows it to deal direct damage. Each time the creature deals damage from that equipment, you will gain life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lifelink
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify how lifelink works and interacts with other game elements:
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What counts as non-combat damage?
Non-combat damage is any damage dealt outside the combat damage step. This includes damage from spells, activated abilities, triggered abilities, and other sources that aren’t creatures directly attacking or blocking.
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What are the rules for Lifelink damage?
Whenever a source with lifelink deals damage, its controller gains life equal to the amount of damage dealt. It doesn’t matter whether it’s combat or non-combat damage, or what the source is (creature, spell, etc.). Each instance of damage triggers lifelink, and the life gain is immediate.
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Does Lifelink work on defense?
Yes, lifelink works when a creature is blocking. If your lifelink creature deals damage to an attacking creature while blocking, you gain life equal to the damage dealt.
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Does lifelink count if the creature dies?
Lifelink works as long as the creature deals damage. If a creature with lifelink deals damage (in combat or otherwise) and then dies, you still gain the life. The order of operations is crucial here: the damage is dealt, lifelink triggers, and then the creature’s state is checked (leading to its death if it received lethal damage).
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What IS Lifelink?
Lifelink is a static ability that modifies the result of damage dealt. Essentially, when a source with lifelink deals damage, it also causes its controller to gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt. It’s a straightforward way to gain life while dealing damage, making it a valuable ability for many strategies.
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Does Deathtouch work with Lifelink?
Yes, deathtouch and lifelink work synergistically. If a creature with both abilities deals damage, it deals lethal damage (due to deathtouch), and you also gain life equal to the damage dealt (due to lifelink). The order doesn’t matter; both effects occur.
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Can you get double Lifelink?
Lifelink does not stack. Having multiple instances of lifelink on a single source doesn’t provide additional life gain. However, triggered abilities that grant life based on damage dealt can stack with lifelink. For example, equipping a creature with lifelink with Armadillo Cloak would grant you life from both lifelink and Armadillo Cloak’s triggered ability.
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Do shield counters prevent Lifelink?
Yes, shield counters prevent the damage dealt to the creature they’re protecting. Because lifelink relies on damage being dealt, if the damage is prevented, lifelink does not trigger, and you don’t gain life.
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Does fog stop Lifelink?
“Fog” effects, such as the card Fog, prevent combat damage. If combat damage is prevented, then Lifelink is also prevented since lifelink triggers when damage is dealt. Damage is never dealt to creatures, so lifelink doesn’t trigger.
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Does Lifelink work on infect?
Yes, lifelink and infect are compatible. A creature with both infect and lifelink deals damage in the form of poison counters to players and -1/-1 counters to creatures. You still gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt, even though the damage manifests as counters.
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Do blocking creatures with Lifelink gain life?
Yes, if a blocking creature with lifelink deals damage to an attacking creature, you gain life equal to the damage dealt. If the blocking creature doesn’t deal any damage (e.g., if the attacking creature has protection from the blocking creature’s color), you won’t gain life.
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Does regenerate stop lifelink?
No, regeneration doesn’t stop lifelink. If a creature with lifelink deals damage to a creature that is regenerated, you still gain life equal to the damage dealt. Regeneration replaces the destruction of the creature, but it doesn’t prevent the damage from being dealt in the first place.
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Does lifelink trigger twice with double strike?
Yes, lifelink will trigger twice if a creature with double strike deals damage in both the first strike and normal combat damage steps. However, if the creature with double strike kills all blockers during the first strike damage step and doesn’t have trample, it won’t assign or deal damage in the normal combat damage step, so lifelink will only trigger once.
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Is losing life non combat damage?
Losing life is not the same as taking damage. Damage causes life loss, but life loss doesn’t necessarily involve damage. Abilities that cause life loss directly (e.g., “You lose 2 life”) do not trigger lifelink. Lifelink specifically triggers from damage being dealt.
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Does Lifelink work on Planeswalkers?
Yes, lifelink works when a creature damages a planeswalker. You gain life equal to the damage dealt to the planeswalker.
Strategies and Synergies with Lifelink
Lifelink is a versatile ability that can be incorporated into various strategies. Combining it with other abilities and card types can create powerful synergies.
- Lifelink and High Power: Pairing lifelink with high-power creatures can provide significant life swings, allowing you to quickly gain a life advantage.
- Lifelink and Damage-Dealing Spells: Using spells like Lightning Bolt or Banefire on creatures or planeswalkers while having a lifelink ability can help you gain life while removing threats.
- Lifelink and Equipment: Equipping creatures with lifelink and equipment that increases their power or provides additional damage-dealing abilities can create a potent combination.
- Games Learning Society: To understand more about game design and the complex mechanics of games like Magic: The Gathering, consider exploring resources at Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
Lifelink is a straightforward yet powerful ability in Magic: The Gathering. Understanding its interaction with combat and non-combat damage, as well as other abilities, is crucial for effectively utilizing it in your strategies. By mastering the nuances of lifelink, you can gain a significant advantage in your games and turn the tide of battle in your favor.