Mechanics Monday - How Does Regenerate Work?

Core Set 2020 Standard - Friday Night Magic
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[@riverswater5688]

Would’ve been even nicer to show some examples in play

[@Generic42]

Thanks guys, I wasn’t totally clear on how regenerate worked before this.

[@LetMeCookBro69]

dawg my group have old text and we been regenerating without tapping lol. i coulda won all these games

[@mattd3978]

So I remember playing with regenerate back in the day. If it died in combat it still dealt its damage because it hadn't died yet. I feel like that wasn't clear in the video.

[@LibertyMTG]

You're right we didn't specifically say it in the video. Assuming there isn't first strike and/or double strike, all creatures are dealing combat damage at the same time. We didn't think it was necessary to explain that in the video.

[@mattd3978]

@@LibertyMTG fair enough, I had a moment of pause there

[@reuelrallosjr443]

New player trying to learn here. Wow... I'm so glad I came upon this video... A friend was teaching me (using very old cards) that all damages are cancelled and the attacker (llanowar elves) blocked by a regenerating creature (drudge skeletons) would survive because the regenerating creature was removed from combat. Then he ended up having a debate with someone correcting him, and me losing interest in the game he's tryin to teach. I guess it would be better for me to start with Magic Arena as I don't think I can rely on my friend to teach me properly 😅

[@LibertyMTG]

There's a reason they "retired" a lot of old mechanics like regenerate and protection. So many people misunderstand how they work.

[@reuelrallosjr443]

I wouldn't have known this is already a retired mechanic. Well, in case they ever decide to bring it back, at least now I know.

[@alexbufmack852]

Can you regenerate as a response to the creature potentially being destroyed or do you have to be proactive? For example if someone plays an instant to destroy your creature, can you pay whatever cost and regenerate as a response so the creature becomes tapped instead of being destroyed?

[@LibertyMTG]

Yes, you can activate regenerate in response to another spell or ability. Your example is correct. If they respond with another removal spell, you would need to activate it again though. Their new spell would resolve before your activation would resolve, since it is on the stack "on top of" the first regenerate. I hope that makes sense!

[@dancingrook8553]

Regenerate to me at least is so confusing. My friend swung at me with a full board, I blocked some and took some combat damage. Then I was working out which creatures died and then he said doesn't matter, I have golgari charm, regenerate all his creatures at instant speed, my blocking creatures died, I took combat damage and his board was untouched. I have a feeling we don't understand regeneration and we ruled this wrong. I feel like the latest time he can play golgari charm is after blockers declared and before damage. His creatures would have regeneration shield applied, then damage happens, I take any unblocked combat damage, then his creatures hit my creatures, if any of his died, they dont, tap and remove combat. my creatures would die if they were trading though still because they still have to hit for the regeneration shield to pop. idk F regeneration, I wish it wasn't so confusing

[@LibertyMTG]

Your interpretation is correct. Damage no longer uses the stack (it's possible the last time your friend play, this was different) so the last time you can cast Golgari Charm is after blockers are declared and before damage is dealt. Both creatures do damage at the same time, and anything that is regenerated is tapped and removed from combat. Removing them from combat doesn't really do much on the surface, but there is an "end of combat" phase so it does technically matter. You could have a "target player sacrifices an attacking creature" spell, and removing them from combat can narrow down the choices. It's also relevant that they become tapped should there be a second combat phase, or for "destroy target tapped creature" spells.

[@imaxaroth2975]

If I activate multiple times the regenerate ability before a destruction effect happen (for example to not waste mana given by a mana ability giving GG), does it protect against multiple destruction effect or every regenerate proc on the same destruction effect? How does it work with something that would give -X/-X to the creature to reduce his toughness to 0? Does the destruction from having 0 toughness bypass the regeneration, or is the creature destroyed the next time the board state is checked for thoses effects? If the regenerate is not simply bypassed and if the regenerate stacks, with infinite mana and by activating the regenerate ability an high number of time before a "-X/-X until end of turn" effect is activated, could we keep the creature alive?

[@LibertyMTG]

Yes, you can "stack" multiple regeneration shields onto a creature. Functionally, the regeneration shield is a replacement effect. When the creature is dealt lethal damage or destroyed by an effect, one of the replacement effects will be used. -x/-x is different though. It is not lethal damage, nor is it a destroy effect. Regeneration (or Indestructible for that matter) cannot save a creature from -x/-x. What happens here is that the creature is dying to having 0 toughness when state based actions are checked [right before the next time a player receives priority.]

[@Kasino80]

So basically it can shove off heavy physical damage, but -x/-x siphons it's life force? ​@@LibertyMTG

[@LibertyMTG]

@@Kasino80 That's correct. Regeneration protects against damage and destroy effects. Reducing a creature's toughness to zero kills it due to state based actions, so it's different.

[@Seminight7]

After removing from combat, where does it go? To your hand?

[@LibertyMTG]

It stays on the battlefield, it's just no longer in combat.

[@rafaelpires9819]

One question, if i have a 4/4 with regenerate and my opponent has also a 4/4 without regenerate. If in combat, my creature is blocked and i activate the regenate ability, since it will be removed from combat, will the opponent's creature also survive?

[@LibertyMTG]

It's removed from combat as a result of the lethal damage assigned to it. That means both creatures are dealing damage to each other (unless one has first strike or double strike). So in that instance, your creature would be regenerated and your opponent's would be destroyed.

[@Darkbird3]

Thanks for the question and answer. Appreciate it

[@kabar3871]

Could you use regenerate in a Braids, Arisen Nightmare commander deck? Say if I used her ability on a regenerated creature, would the rest of the effect still work or no

[@Kazz1187]

If a 4/1 creature I control with regenerate blocks an opposing 5/5 creature with trample, and I activate the regeneration. Do I receive all 5 damage or does the damage get reduced by toughness of regenerating creature

[@LibertyMTG]

Regenerate doesn't happen until damage is dealt. So your opponent would assign lethal damage (1) to your creature and the remaining 4 to you.

[@Kazz1187]

Thank you guys! I appreciate this :)

[@youtubegreif1140]

When I'm playing dredge and put with Discovery an Narcomoeba into graveyard, does it enter the battlefield than?

[@LibertyMTG]

Yes. When surveiling, the card(s) are still in your library - you're just looking at them. The Narcomoeba then go from your library into your graveyard, which triggers its ability to put it onto the battlefield.

[@youtubegreif1140]

Thanks :)

[@CubicCoder]

Thank you

[@phoenixking_6667]

Can you do one about banding? XD

[@LibertyMTG]

I was afraid this would happen.

[@phoenixking_6667]

@@LibertyMTG lmao. I was honestly kidding but hey I welcome an explanation

[@danacoleman4007]

LOL. I love banding.

[@hughmungus9182]

I was think that too haha

[@Kasino80]

Damn that's a cheap cost for a big animal. I have a black card with 2 generic 1 black mana coat for the same effect. Edit: however it also has inspired and deals 1 damage to each, plus heals me for the same amount. So I guess that's why it's a bit lore expensive. Thaks for the explanation.

[@sanson426]

Doe's regenerate work when i try to sacrifice regenerating creature?

[@LibertyMTG]

Nope. Sacrificing a creature isn't a destroy effect or lethal damage. Regenerate will not save the creature.

[@sanson426]

@@LibertyMTG so i have to ubdate my orzhow deck. Thanks. ❤️

[@mattdefreitas525]

What happens if this card gets blocked by a creature with death touch or it blocks a creature with death touch and then you use it's regeneration ability

[@LibertyMTG]

The creature will be dealt lethal damage (death touch makes it so that a single point of damage is considered lethal, regardless of the creature's toughness), tapped, and removed from combat. It doesn't change the outcome, only the requirement of 1 damage to be considered lethal.

[@SammyBsAdventure]

If I have mischievous poltergeist where the cost of regenerate is 1 life can I use that on my turn as many times as I want to dwindle down my own health pool?

[@LibertyMTG]

You sure can!

[@FugStatus]

What about Golgari Charm, Regenerate each creature you control. How does that work in MTG:Arena ?

[@LibertyMTG]

It would do the same thing but for each creature you control. They would all get a "regeneration shield". Until end of the turn if they're dealt lethal damage, or hit with a "destroy" effect, they'll be tapped and removed from combat. (If either of those apply.) It doesn't have to be something that effects them all, like Day of Judgment. It could be individual removal spells, or combat damage. There will be exceptions of course - Wrath of God, for example, says they can't be regenerated. I hope that helps!

[@janciosadsky3709]

It is kinda similar to indestructible right?

[@LibertyMTG]

Similar but not entirely. It will only get one "regeneration shield", so you could destroy it with a different effect afterwards. Of course, they could activate it again if they had the resources.

[@WolfSHage]

Can you regenerate from the graveyard? Example your creature has regenerate but you blocked a creature but then the creature attacking get deathtouch now because you spent all your mana you can’t regenerate now so of course the your creature dies but can you regenerate it from the graveyard or does it stay on the battlefield?

[@LibertyMTG]

You have to activate Regeneration before it dies. Once it's in the graveyard it's too late.

[@justinvalenzuela31]

So remove from combat does that mean it goes back to your hand ? Goes to graveyard? Or ..?

[@Starbug1S1]

No, the creatures stays on the battlefield.

[@MasterDeenoo]

Goblin Chirurgeon “Sacrifice a Goblin: Regenerate target creature.” Can regenerate work on a commander ? Targeted attack or a spell such as doom blade

[@LibertyMTG]

Yes! You'll want to respond to the Doom Blade by using Goblin Chigurgeon's ability. And it can even sacrifice itself to regenerate another creature.

[@MasterDeenoo]

@@LibertyMTG one more question if you don’t mind Goblin Chirurgeon “Sacrifice a Goblin: Regenerate a target Could it save creatures from Blasphemous Act / toxic deluge Blasphemous Act deals 13 damage to each creature

[@LibertyMTG]

@@MasterDeenoo Blasphemous Act would kill it with lethal damage. Regenerate will save it. Toxic Deluge reduces it's toughness to 0 (or below.) This isn't lethal damage, or a "destroy" effect, so regenerate does not save the creature in this example.

[@riccardo8701]

Hi guys, new player here... If I enchant a creature with serpent skin, I can use its regenerate effect any time I want? or After the first regeneration the creature is no longer enchanted?

[@riccardo8701]

I suppose not, because my creature won't die

[@LibertyMTG]

I think you answered your own question! You're correct. The creature won't die, so it stays enchanted. It does get tapped and removed from combat if it's in combat.

[@broderickmcbride5853]

Can you sacrifice a creature then regenerate it as a loop? The card in question is Augur of Skulls.

[@LibertyMTG]

Regenerate won't save a creature that is sacrificed.

[@axolotldavid1436]

So your telling me that my opponent can swing with trample and I regenerate I will take all remaining damage and his creature is untouched because I regenerate after letal damage is done to me. That doesn't seem right. I'm only using regenerate after my creature would die from the combat. Even without trample on the creature that's attacking if it's say a 10/ 1 and I block with a 1/5 regenerate his guy lives because after we fight my creature would die hence the reason to use regenerate. How the heck does this make any sense?

[@LibertyMTG]

I don't think I said that. The creature won't regenerate until it's dealt lethal damage. So any damage in excess of that will trample over.

[@noahellis3216]

So if you blocked with it and it died and you regenerate it does the damage go through since you taped it and removed it from combat or would it just be blocked then its activated ability goes into play and does it uptap after being regenerated or do you uptap it on your upkeep

[@LibertyMTG]

1) Declare blocks 2) Activate regenerate ability 3) Go to damage 4) If the creature receives lethal damage, tap it, remove it from combat. Regeneration shield is used up. It'll stay tapped until its controller's untap step. Damage happens, and is what "consumes" the regeneration shield. If there are "when this creature deals damage" abilities, those will happen. (I think that's where you're going with this?)

[@Ryan-vt5lq]

So if I put Dead Weight on a 0/2 creature and they regenerate it does the enchantment stay on the creature and kill it anyway since it’s still reviving -2/-2 on the creature itself?

[@LibertyMTG]

In this instance Regenerate won't actually "save" the creature at all. It's not being dealt lethal damage - its toughness is being reduced to 0 or less. The creature dies, and both cards go to the graveyard.

[@andrebenoit404]

So if I'm correct if I responded to a killing lightning bolt with regenerate I would have to regenerate again to survive a 2nd bolt?

[@LibertyMTG]

Yes, once the creature has regenerated and the "shield is down" you would have to hit it again.

[@robertomaiadeandrade1878]

I have a question. If there is a 3/3 creature attacking and a 3/3 creature blocking it (but the blocking creature has regenerate), is the 3/3 attacking creature going to die?

[@LibertyMTG]

Yes. Damage is dealt by both creatures at the same time (unless one of them has first or double strike.) Assuming the blocking creature has activated Regenerate, they're both assigned lethal damage at the same time. The blocking creature has the damage removed from it, and is removed from combat. The attacking creature dies to lethal damage.

[@robertomaiadeandrade1878]

@@LibertyMTG thanks!

[@unclerobbieslug]

If i have a pestilence and dredge skeletons can i blast the skeletons with X damage and then regerate once? Or is that a 1 for 1 deal.

[@LibertyMTG]

You would need to regenerate after each instance of lethal damage. The shield is "consumed" when it regenerates.

[@unclerobbieslug]

@@LibertyMTG I thought so. I think back in urza saga days you could do the multiple trigger in response and then regerate but that makes sense, I'm just going to have to put in the indestructible 3 mana myr instead of the original fog of gnats.

[@LibertyMTG]

@@unclerobbieslug Back when damage used the stack 😬 We don't talk about those days.

[@Fausto_4841]

How would it work with will health triggering when zombies without decay die and a creature that you sacrificed that has regenerate from Zombie Master. Do regenerated creatures not actually die so they don’t trigger death effects?

[@LibertyMTG]

Regenerate won't work with a creature that is sacrificed because it's not a "destroy" effect. If a creature is regenerated it never dies, so it would not trigger any death effects.

[@Fausto_4841]

@@LibertyMTG rats. i think i've won a few games off missplays then. i hate doing that

[@Kazz1187]

Could you explain hosing? I guess I’ve heard the word, color hosing, but I’m not 100% sure what it is. For a video topic, could you go over mana abilities vs activated or triggered abilities

[@LibertyMTG]

Hosing is just slang for being mana screwed in some way. It could be missing a certain color, not drawing enough lands, etc. If an opponent is actively destroying a certain land type (ie keeping you from having any blue mana) they are color hosing you. We made a video for triggers! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGrQaZtrj9mbd9E

[@bethanywarner8565]

Do you sell baseball cards? If not can anyone suggest where I can go? My grandson wants to start collecting cards

[@LibertyMTG]

I don't deal in sports cards. I would suggest doing a Google search for "sports card dealers near me" and see who pops up. A good website for prices is www.sportscardspro.com/ - you can look up individual cards or browse by manufacturer (Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck, etc) and get an idea of what they're worth.

[@sanddagger36]

none of these videos answer what happens if it is not being destroyed but just dying due to having no toughness left. Removing damage does not remove -x/-x effects assigned until end of turn, right? I assume since it wasn't "destroyed" it can't be regenerated, right?

[@LibertyMTG]

That's right. -1/-1 counters reduce its toughness to 0, and the creature dies to state based actions. It can't be regenerated. And your logic is right - it would still have those counters and still have 0 toughness.

[@frozenraikiri3725]

How would it work like if a card says sacrifice creature could I sacrifice my regeneration creature for the ability and activate regenerate and still get my effects Sorry if that makes no sense hopefully it does

[@LibertyMTG]

Your question does make sense, but wouldn't work. Regeneration protects the creature from "destroy" effects and lethal damage. Sacrificing it is neither.

[@bryceduyvewaardt8136]

If I mutate onto Ancient Silverback and it dies and regenerates, does the creature with the mutate ability regenerate too and arrive on the battlefield separately since it went from being "one" card to two after death?

[@LibertyMTG]

The pile of mutated creatures is all treated as one permanent. Ancient Silverback never leaves the battlefield to regenerate, so the mutated creature stays with it. You will still have a mutated Ancient Silverback.

[@_arkoner_2274]

If a 5/5 Creature with Lifelink attacks then he blocks with creature and than the blocked creature activates regeneration? How many Life will you get back?. Or what happens if the Creature has 4/4 and doublestrike + lifelink and the creature with regeneration blocks, but the regeneration effect activates in the First Strike Segment, how much Life will you gain? I mean the Acient Silverback as shown in the video as a blocker with regeneration. Do you always have to tap the creature to be able to generate 1 regeneration shields? Cause if you have 2 Shields you have to tap it 2 times to regenerate which isn't possible if you don't have something which untaps the creature with the regeneration shield?

[@LibertyMTG]

The damage dealt to the creature with Regeneration isn't prevented - it is removed from the creature - so the lifelink would still gain the full amount of life. In your first example, the 5/5 creature will still gain its controller 5 life. In your second example the 4/4 Double Strike creature kills the blocker during First Strike damage. The attacking creature will deal 4 points of damage and its controller will gain 4 life. The blocker regenerates, removing it from combat, tapping it, and removing the damage from it. Then we move to the normal combat damage step and the creature deals no additional damage because it was "blocked." Even though it is no longer blocked, it is still considered a blocked attacker. In this example, if the double strike creature has trample, it WILL deal the additional damage to the player. Trample requires lethal damage assigned to each blocker and then the remaining can be assigned to the player. In this instance, there is no longer a blocker so "lethal damage" would be zero. The remaining 4 would go through. When the regeneration shield "activates", the creature is tapped. It doesn't matter if it is untapped or tapped, it will be tapped. A tapped creature can still use regeneration.

[@_arkoner_2274]

@@LibertyMTG Thank you very much for your quick answer now i understand everything.

[@LibertyMTG]

@@_arkoner_2274 Great! Glad I could help.

[@leonfriedemann9151]

I know that it's possibly not legal in standart, but can you explain, when you animate dead or apprentice necromancer an arixmethes, slumbering isle? Would be much appriciated :)

[@LibertyMTG]

There's a thread for these exact interactions. www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-rulings/798892-solved-arixmethes-slumbering-isle-animate-dead-et tl;dr Animate Dead can't enchant a land, so as soon as Arixmethes comes into play and becomes a land, Animate Dead can no longer target it. Animate Dead is then placed into the graveyard, which triggers you to sacrifice Arixmethes. The same is true for the Apprentice Necromancer. You'll sacrifice the Arixmethes from its delayed trigger.

[@krenarspahiu4261]

When I hear "Destroy", I'm thinking "Sent to the Graveyard". Regenerate doesn't help with "Exile" does it?

[@LibertyMTG]

You're correct. If a spell or ability exiles the creature, instead of destroying it, Regenerate doesn't save it.

[@krenarspahiu4261]

@@LibertyMTG gotcha! Much appreciated.

[@aguilefo]

This video is interesting as fuck to new generations, but for the same reason my advice is that you could work a little more on graphics and postproduction, making it seems more interactive, showing more cards and actual play, that way you would also feel less awkward just talking to a camera. Still, props to you guys! This kind of videos with a little animation would be gold.

[@Ohzark]

Okay but can you only use regenerate during combat?

[@LibertyMTG]

You can activate it anytime you have priority.

[@knightmareoflegends2380]

Savage Silhouette 2basic/1grn 1/hen regenerate this creature

[@donavancrockett3698]

Second🔥🔥🔥

[@billjensen51]

Just one question I still have. How does regenerate work?

[@AlejandroZapata85]

Can I assign lethal damage with a blocking creature and then regenerate?

[@LibertyMTG]

You would activate the Regeneration "shield" before damage since damage doesn't use the stack. The creature is removed from combat when damage is dealt and state based actions are checked. So it will still deal lethal damage, and be regenerated.