Does Lifelink Work If Damage is Prevented?
Lifelink is a fundamental concept in Magic: The Gathering, allowing creatures to gain life whenever they deal damage to an opponent’s life total. But what happens when damage is prevented? Does lifelink still trigger, or does it fail to work in these situations? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and delve deeper into the rules surrounding lifelink and damage prevention.
What is Lifelink?
Before we dive into the main question, let’s briefly explain what lifelink is. Lifelink is a static ability that states "whenever this creature deals damage, you gain that much life." This means that whenever a creature with lifelink deals damage to an opponent’s life total, you gain an equal amount of life. For example, if a creature with lifelink deals 3 damage to an opponent, you gain 3 life.
Does Lifelink Work If Damage is Prevented?
So, what happens when damage is prevented? Does lifelink still trigger? The answer is no, lifelink does not work if damage is prevented. According to rule 702.15e, "if damage is prevented, it isn’t dealt." This means that if damage is prevented by a spell, ability, or other effect, it is not considered to be dealt damage, and lifelink will not trigger.
Examples
To illustrate this point, let’s consider a few examples:
- Example 1: A creature with lifelink deals 4 damage to an opponent. However, the opponent’s life total is reduced by a spell or ability that prevents the damage. In this case, the damage is prevented, and lifelink does not trigger. You do not gain life.
- Example 2: A creature with lifelink deals 3 damage to an opponent. However, the creature is countered by an opposing spell or ability, causing the damage to be nullified. In this case, the damage is not dealt, and lifelink does not trigger. You do not gain life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, lifelink does not work if damage is prevented. If a spell, ability, or other effect prevents damage from being dealt, lifelink will not trigger, and you will not gain life. This is an important consideration for players building their decks and making strategic decisions during games.
Rules and Examples
Here’s a summary of the relevant rules and examples:
- Rule 702.15e: If damage is prevented, it isn’t dealt.
- Example 1: Damage is prevented by a spell or ability, and lifelink does not trigger.
- Example 2: A creature with lifelink is countered, causing the damage to be nullified, and lifelink does not trigger.
Tips for Players
Here are a few tips for players who want to make the most of lifelink and damage prevention:
- Pay attention to life total changes: Always keep track of life total changes to ensure that lifelink triggers correctly.
- Watch for damage prevention spells: Be aware of opposing spells and abilities that may prevent damage from being dealt.
- Build decks with lifelink: Consider building decks that rely on lifelink for life gain, but also include spells and abilities to prevent damage from being dealt.
By understanding how lifelink works in situations where damage is prevented, you can make more informed decisions during games and gain a strategic advantage over your opponents.