Lifelink

Keywords · beginner

Damage dealt by a creature with lifelink also causes its controller to gain that much life.

How it works

• Lifelink applies to all damage the creature deals -- combat, abilities like "deals 2 damage", or anything else.
• The life gain is a separate replacement effect; it happens at the same time the damage is dealt.
• Multiple instances of lifelink are redundant on a single creature.

Common interactions

• Trample + lifelink: Damage that tramples through still counts for life gain.
• Deathtouch + lifelink: A 1/1 with deathtouch and lifelink can kill any creature and gain you 1 life. Compact and brutal.
• Damage doublers (e.g. Furnace of Rath) increase both the damage dealt and the life gained.

Rule reference

[702.15]