Regenerate
| Regenerate | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Duels Regenerate symbol.png}}|70x70px]] | |
| Keyword Action | |
| Introduced | Alpha |
| Last used | Oath of the Gatewatch |
| Reminder Text | [cost]: Regenerate (The next time this creature would be destroyed this turn, it isn't. Instead tap it, remove all damage from it, and remove it from combat.) |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Regenerate" | |
Regenerate is a former evergreen keyword action until it was removed from evergreen status after Oath of the Gatewatch.[1]
Regeneration is a replacement effect which means: "The next time this permanent would be destroyed this turn, it isn't. Instead tap it, remove all damage from it, and remove it from combat."
History
Regenerate appears mostly on black cards or green cards, though it appeared on white cards early in Magic's history and again in Planar Chaos.
Regeneration was designed by Richard Garfield for Alpha.[2] Although the current reminder text is fairly elegant, regeneration has historically been a confusing effect. Originally, regeneration was an ability that only could be activated in the damage prevention step, which was a step right after damage was dealt. It could not be activated nor triggered any other time. In the Sixth Edition rules changes, the damage prevention step became obsolete. Damage was no longer dealt ("assigned") and then successfully dealt - it was simply dealt. Damage prevention, regeneration, and other spells and abilities that generated replacement effects were now played just like other instants. As such, regeneration had drifted from the correct flavor, instead of regenerating when a creature was about to die, you set a regenerative shield that would save the creature if it would die that turn.[3]
Aaron Forsythe has stated that, "The word 'regenerate' has been tossed onto cards for years as if it was one of the most simple concepts in the game, along the lines of 'attack' and 'graveyard.' The truth is that the mechanic is so complicated and wonky that we would never greenlight it today, but it has been grandfathered into the fabric of the game, and it does fill a nice niche."[4]
Starting with Kaladesh, regeneration was finally retired. Instead, the phrase “gain indestructible until end of turn” came into being for new, but similar cards.[5][6][7] This also means that no new cards will feature the sentence "can't be regenerated".[8]
Rules
Rulings
- An effect which says something "can't be regenerated" means that the Regenerate replacement effect won't be applied to that creature even if one is active. If something "can't be regenerated", you can still play spells and abilities that produce a Regenerate effect, but they just won't do anything useful.
Example
Enchantments that grant just regeneration
Target creature
Aura (enchanted creature)
- Blessing of Leeches
- Fortitude
- Jolrael's Favor
- Regeneration
- Soul Channeling
- Strands of Undeath
- Trollhide
References
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (March 14, 2018). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 16, 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 17, 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 17, 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 22, 2016). "". Tumblr.