How does Lifelink MTG work?
Lifelink is a static ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) that allows a player to gain life equal to the amount of damage dealt by a creature with lifelink. When a creature with lifelink deals damage, whether in combat or through an activated ability, its controller gains life simultaneously with the damage being dealt.
Understanding Lifelink
To fully comprehend how lifelink works, it’s essential to consider various scenarios and interactions with other abilities and game mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs provide additional insights into the workings of lifelink and its interactions with other MTG mechanics.
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How much life do you gain from Lifelink MTG? You gain life equal to the amount of damage that a lifelink creature or spell deals.
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Does lifelink trigger before or after damage? Lifelink is not a triggered ability; it alters the effect of the damage itself, causing life gain simultaneously with damage dealt.
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When a creature with Lifelink blocks, do you gain life? Yes, if the blocking creature with lifelink deals damage, you gain life equal to the damage dealt.
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What happens if a creature has Lifelink twice? Multiple instances of lifelink on the same object are redundant, resulting in only one lifegain event.
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How does Deathtouch and Lifelink work together? Deathtouch and lifelink work independently, with deathtouch causing destruction and lifelink causing life gain, regardless of the scenario.
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How does Lifelink work with excess damage? Each instance of damage dealt by a lifelink creature results in life gain, including excess damage from abilities like double strike.
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Does Deathtouch work when blocking? Yes, deathtouch works when blocking, as it functions during any damage dealing, not just when attacking.
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Does Lifelink work on Planeswalkers? Yes, lifelink works when dealing damage to planeswalkers, as the damage is still dealt, even though it results in loyalty counter removal.
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Is Deathtouch a triggered ability? No, deathtouch is a state-based ability, which uses game actions that happen whenever a certain condition is met.
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Does Deathtouch cancel Deathtouch? No, two instances of deathtouch against each other do not cancel out the deathtouch ability.
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Does Lifelink work if the creature dies? Yes, lifelink still works even if the creature dies, as the damage is dealt before the creature’s death.
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Does trample work when blocking? No, trample only works when attacking, not when blocking or dealing non-combat damage.
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Does Deathtouch work on Planeswalkers? No, deathtouch does not work on planeswalkers, as they are not creatures and deathtouch only applies to creatures.
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Do shield counters prevent Lifelink? Yes, shield counters prevent damage, which in turn prevents lifelink from triggering.
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Can you double lifelink in Magic? No, lifelink does not stack, and multiple copies of the same static ability are redundant, resulting in only one lifegain event.
Conclusion
In conclusion, lifelink is a powerful static ability in MTG that provides life gain based on the amount of damage dealt by a creature. Understanding how lifelink interacts with other abilities and game mechanics is crucial for effective gameplay and strategy development. By considering the various scenarios and FAQs outlined above, players can better utilize lifelink to their advantage and enhance their overall MTG experience.