Lifelink and Attacking Creatures: A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, lifelink absolutely works when attacking a creature. If a creature with lifelink deals damage to an opposing creature during combat, its controller gains life equal to the amount of damage dealt. It’s that simple! But like many things in the world of Magic: The Gathering, the implications and nuances can get a little more complex. Let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of lifelink when it comes to attacking.
Understanding Lifelink
Lifelink is a static ability that modifies the results of damage. Essentially, it means “Whenever this source deals damage, you gain that much life.” The beauty of lifelink lies in its versatility. It’s not limited to combat damage; it triggers whenever the source with lifelink deals damage, whether it’s attacking, blocking, fighting, or even through activated abilities.
Think of it like this: any time a creature with lifelink connects with another creature and deals damage, that damage isn’t just reducing the opposing creature’s toughness. It’s also replenishing your life total. It’s a fantastic way to stay alive in a long, drawn-out game.
The Mechanics of Attacking with Lifelink
When you attack with a creature that has lifelink, and that creature deals damage to the defending creature, you gain life equal to the damage dealt. This life gain happens simultaneously with the damage being dealt. Let’s break it down with an example:
You attack with a 3/3 creature with lifelink. Your opponent blocks with a 2/2 creature. Your 3/3 creature deals 2 damage to the blocking creature (enough to destroy it), and you gain 2 life. Your creature survives with 1 damage marked on it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lifelink
Here are some of the most common questions about lifelink and how it interacts with various game mechanics:
1. Does Lifelink only trigger on combat damage?
No. The ability triggers whenever a source with lifelink deals any damage, not just combat damage. Activated abilities, triggered abilities, and even fight spells can trigger lifelink.
2. Does Lifelink work if combat damage is prevented?
No. Lifelink is a static ability that functions concurrently with damage. If the damage is prevented, it isn’t dealt, so no life is gained. A card like Fog would completely shut down the life gain.
3. Does Lifelink apply when blocking?
Yes. Lifelink triggers whenever a creature with lifelink deals damage. This includes damage dealt while blocking. So, if your creature with lifelink blocks an attacker and deals damage, you gain life.
4. What happens if a creature with Trample also has Lifelink?
If a creature with trample also has lifelink, damage is dealt to both the blocking creature and, potentially, the defending player. You gain life equal to the total damage dealt, regardless of where it’s assigned.
5. Does Deathtouch cancel Lifelink?
No. Deathtouch and lifelink are independent abilities. Deathtouch makes any amount of damage lethal to a creature. Lifelink makes you gain life equal to the damage dealt. A 1/1 creature with both abilities that deals 1 damage will destroy the opposing creature and gain you 1 life.
6. Does Lifelink work with First Strike?
Yes, first strike happens first. If your creature with first strike and lifelink deals lethal damage to the defending creature, that creature is destroyed before it can deal its damage. You gain life equal to the damage your creature dealt.
7. What happens if a creature has Lifelink twice?
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same object are redundant. You only gain life once for each damage event.
8. Does Deflecting Palm stop Lifelink?
Deflecting Palm prevents the damage from the attacking creature and then deals that much damage to another target. The controller of the creature with lifelink will not gain life from the prevented damage.
9. Does Lifelink apply to fight spells?
Yes. When a creature with lifelink fights another creature, any damage it deals during the fight will cause you to gain life.
10. Can you get double Lifelink?
No. There is no such thing as “double lifelink.” Multiple instances of the ability are redundant.
11. Does Hexproof cancel Deathtouch or Lifelink?
Hexproof only prevents a permanent from being targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control. Deathtouch and lifelink don’t target, so hexproof has no effect on them.
12. Does Indestructible override Deathtouch?
Yes, indestructible creatures are not destroyed by damage, including damage from a creature with deathtouch. So, an indestructible creature can block a creature with deathtouch without being destroyed.
13. Does Deathtouch work with 0 damage?
No. If a creature with deathtouch has zero power, it can’t deal damage and thus cannot destroy a creature. It must deal damage for deathtouch to take effect.
14. Does Deathtouch affect noncombat damage?
Yes. Deathtouch checks any damage, not just combat damage. If a creature with deathtouch deals damage through an activated ability or a fight spell, it will still destroy the target creature.
15. Does Lifelink work against Planeswalkers?
Yes, lifelink works when attacking Planeswalkers. You gain life equal to the damage dealt to the Planeswalker. Remember, attacking a Planeswalker is still considered dealing damage, and lifelink triggers accordingly.
Strategic Implications of Lifelink
Lifelink is a powerful tool for any Magic: The Gathering player. It allows you to stabilize your life total, outlasting your opponent in long, grinding games. When building your deck, consider the strategic advantages of including creatures with lifelink. They can be essential for both offense and defense, providing a buffer against aggressive strategies and allowing you to recover from early damage.
Consider combining lifelink with other abilities like deathtouch or trample for even greater impact. A creature with both deathtouch and lifelink is a formidable blocker, able to take down even the largest threats while simultaneously replenishing your life total. Similarly, a creature with trample and lifelink can push through damage to your opponent, gaining you life while applying pressure.
To further your understanding of the game and learn more strategies, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society, an organization dedicated to the intersection of games and education. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
Lifelink is a valuable ability that can significantly impact the outcome of a game. Understanding how it interacts with other abilities and game mechanics is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering. So, the next time you’re building a deck, consider adding a few creatures with lifelink. You might be surprised at how much of a difference they can make! Remember, any damage a creature with lifelink deals while attacking an opposing creature results in you gaining life!