What Does Lifelink Do in Magic the Gathering? Your Guide to the MTG Lifelink Rules
The best MTG players know how to utilize the sneaky power behind the lifelink keyword. Lifelink can turn a game by going from 1 life left to over 20 in just one combat phase.
You'll need to learn the details if you aren’t sure how lifelink MTG blocking and combat rules work.
So, what does lifelink do in Magic the Gathering?
Any card with lifelink heals you whenever it deals damage. The MTG lifelink rules apply to standard combat, direct attacks, blocks, double strikes, and even sorceries.
We’ll explore everything you need to know about lifelink in Magic. You’ll learn about the best lifelink cards MTG offers and how to use them effectively.
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What Does Lifelink Do in Magic the Gathering? Explaining the Lifelink MTG Rules
Your opponent is on the ropes with just 2 life, and you’re ready to win.
But then your opponent plays Metamorphosis Fanatic (DSC-051) and brings Heartflame Duelist (WOE-228) back from the graveyard.
After combat, they’re at 6 life. A few turns later, your opponent is above 20, and you’re in danger of losing.
Every MTG player goes through this rite of passage. Once you learn the MTG lifelink rules, you’ll know how to beat it–or use it yourself.
What is Lifelink in MTG?
What does lifelink do in Magic the Gathering?
Lifelink modifies all damage that a card does. Any damage dealt lets you gain that amount in life points, even if the damage is blocked.
Contraband Kingpin (KLD-177) is a basic example; you’ll heal 1 damage each time it participates in combat, in line with the standard lifelink MTG blocking rules.
The best lifelink cards MTG offers contain extra strategic complexity. For example, Wurmcoil Larva (MH3-112) also has deathtouch, instantly killing an opposing creature while healing you.
When Life is Gained in the Combat Step
MTG Lifelink rules did not exist before 2010. It was previously an after-combat heal. However, lifelink is now a static ability, meaning it procs instantly with damage.
For example, let’s say you have 3, with Resplendent Angel (LCI-334). You attack a creature with 6/6 after activating Resplendent Angel’s ability to get up to 5/5. You would lose your angel, but gain 5 life.
The same concept works for lifelink MTG blocking rules.
Lifelink on Spells, Abilities, and Non-Creature Sources
While most MTG lifelink rules apply to creatures, sorceries and instants can also use it. Judith, Carnage Connoisseur (MKM-210) and Heartflame Duelist are two examples.
Lifelink also works on non-combat damage from creatures. You gain 3 life every time an Irencrag Pyromancer (J22-559) equipped with Basilisk Collar (FDN-669) uses its effect.
Does Lifelink Stack?
What does lifelink do in Magic the Gathering if you have multiple sources of it?
Unfortunately, you cannot double-dip on lifelink. A Splendor Mare (IKO-032) with Toxin Analysis (MKM-107) would only gain 3 life rather than 6.
However, there is an exception to the MTG lifelink rules. Spirit Link (DMR-029) and other pre-2010 effects like “whenever this deals damage, gain that much life” are not technically considered lifelink.
By combining Spirit Link with a lifelink creature, you can get double healing and turn a game around quickly.
How Lifelink Interacts With Other Keywords
Knowing how the MTG lifelink rules interact with other keywords and combat effects is essential to your success.
So, what does lifelink do in Magic the Gathering when paired with effects such as haste, deathtouch, first strike, and menace?
Brightblade Stoat (BLB-004) has first strike and lifelink. Whenever it attacks, it deals its damage before its blocker. That healing may be enough to proc an effect before combat resolves.
Double strike gives you two attacks, so you can get twice the life gain from a card like Twinblade Geist (INR-047). Conversely, according to the lifelink MTG blocking rules, an attacking card with first strike would be able to destroy a creature with lifelink before it has the chance to heal.
Indestructible is a neat pairing with lifelink. A card like Scales of Shale (BLB-110) allows one of your creatures to get “free” life gain even against a tough blocker.
You can play haste cards like Rakdos Ragemutt (RTR-185) to get lifelink on the same turn they enter the field.
Finally, you should consider menace cards with lifelink. When you summon the goblins from Midnight Mayhem (DSK-222), they must be blocked by two creatures, with each damage instance increasing your life.
How to Play Around and Maximize Lifelink in MTG
You now know the fundamental MTG lifelink rules. But what does lifelink do in Magic the Gathering compared to every other keyword?
Learning the complexities of lifelink is a reliable way to figure out how to get better at MTG. The best lifelink cards MTG offers can turn around a game in the blink of an eye, especially if your opponent is unprepared.
When Lifelink Is Strong (and When It’s Not)
Lifelink is strong against aggressive red decks that try to win in the first 5 turns. When you sustain through that initial salvo, you buy time for your win condition to emerge. Lifelink is also strong when you have life gain triggers. Moonstone Harbinger (BLB-101) is an excellent example of this use case in a bat-themed deck.
In general, lifelink is very strong in a losing game. It gives you extra turns, which let you see more cards in hopes of making a comeback.
Lifelink has a critical weakness, though. If you can’t deal damage, you won’t be able to use it.
Think about it. What does lifelink do in Magic the Gathering if you’re facing a complete removal or milling deck? If you never get your creatures on the board long enough for them to deal damage, you won’t get very far.
Combat Tricks and Pump Effects That Amplify Lifelink
There is infinite strategic depth in MTG. It’s easy to boost lifelink creatures to amplify your healing.
Unflinching Courage (FDN-722) is a nifty enchantment card that gives +2/+2 and lifelink, which can help a small creature pack a hefty punch. Alchemist’s Gift (J25-397) is an instant card that lets you use the element of surprise.
Mass pump effects like Glorious Anthem or Unctus, Grand Metatect (ONE-075) can boost the damage and heal your army deals.
Playing Around an Opponent’s Lifelink Strategy
You need to prioritize removal, especially around key creatures. Don’t try to fight fire with fire, as any damage will heal them.
For example, if you have Disruptive Stormbrood // Petty Revenge (TDM-310) in your deck, you should use the removal rather than waiting to summon the creature.
Evasive creatures with flying, menace, or “can’t be blocked” are a good counter to lifelink strategies, as they interfere with blockers.
Some cards, like Sulfuric Vortex (DMR-332) and Rampaging Ferocidon (SPG-008), prevent healing.
Lifelink is a fantastic defensive tool, but without other combinations, there isn’t much offensive utility. If you remain patient and slowly remove those pesky creatures, you can fight back against a lifelink deck.
When to Prioritize Lifelink in Deckbuilding
Lifelink is rare outside of White and Black decks, so you might not need it.
You should create lifelink decks to counter aggro decks, need a consistent way to reach the endgame, or use life as a resource, like with Black Market Connection (CLB-669).
You should avoid lifelink decks if the meta contains several combo or control decks, as they can easily swat away your creatures and prevent you from healing.
Lifelink as a Stabilization Tool in Control Decks
Control decks in MTG win a war of attrition. These decks are vulnerable to heavy aggression, as you can efficiently run out of life before you reach your win condition.
Lifelink is a neat way to shore up this weakness. Thanks to the lifelink MTG blocking rules, you can place a couple of creatures down to wall off a horde of 1/1 tokens, keeping your life pool stable.
A 3-cost creature like Duskfang Mentor (IKO-086) is an example of a mid-game wall, and it even lets you add lifelink to another creature on your board for a nice life swing.
Lifelink MTG Blocking Strategies
You must know how blocking works to execute a lifelink strategy (or defense) properly.
How to Block Against Lifelink Effectively
You want to maximize kill threat against lifelink. Don’t use a single blocker with 2/2 against a 3/3 lifelink creature–you’ll lose your blocker and allow your opponent to heal.
Consider using removal cards after your opponent declares their attackers, as this can catch them off guard with no mana to stop it.
Understanding Power vs Toughness in Combat Math
Power is your creature’s damage, while toughness is how much damage it can withstand.
Lifelink creatures are better if they have more power. Any buff cards have dual utility by adding damage and increasing your heal.
You can attack high-toughness creatures if they don’t have enough damage to destroy your creature and still heal.
When to Force a Trade vs When to Let Damage Through
Each player in MTG must be aware of their ‘clock’. How many turns will you take to win or lose with the current board?
If you’re about to lose the game, forcing a trade with a lifelink creature is inevitable, even if it destroys your creature. Conversely, letting damage through is acceptable if you will remain alive.
How Lifelink Changes the Race
The player with the higher-damage creatures wins in a standard race to zero life.
A player's power doubles when a lifelink monster enters the battle. A 4/4 indestructible with lifelink can sustain a life pool of 10 forever against a 6/6 monster.
Eventually, racing against a lifelink player becomes a losing proposition, so you must adjust your strategy.
A Look at Some of the Best Lifelink Cards MTG Has Released
You can find effective rare MTG cards with all types of keywords, and lifelink is no exception.
- Valgavoth, Terror Eater (DSK-120): A 9/9 flying win condition
- Ketramose, the New Dawn (DFT-209): Indestructible and Menace give a guaranteed 4 life per turn
- Atraxa, Praetor’s Voice (MUL-163Z): Vigilance lets you attack and block for extra healing
- Firesong and Sunspeaker (MUL-169Z): Your red spells get lifelink and extra damage
- Archangel Elspeth (MOM-320): A 4-cost planeswalker that summons a 1/1 lifelink token each turn and can turn them into flying angels
- Healer’s Hawk (FDN-142): A 1-cost 1/1 with flying that lets you start the life-gain snowball early
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Discover the Best Lifelink Cards MTG Has to Offer at Danireon!
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Wrapping Up Our Guide to the MTG Lifelink Rules
We find lifelink to be one of the most exciting keywords in Magic. With the correct setup, you can turn around a lost game in just one turn, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
You can harness the power of lifelink by investing in the right cards, like pump instants, token-spawning planeswalkers, or a utility creature like Mr. Foxglove (BLC-042).
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