Phyrexian Unlife and losing life.
Asked by DeadpoolvsProtoman 13 years ago
There is a card Phyrexian Unlife, and states when you are at 0 life you don't lose the game, you just start getting poison counters for damage. But theres a deck that uysing Ad Nauseum and Phyrexian Unlife and he can go to -47 life. How does this work? And would the same effect happen if I happen to use Maralen of the Mournsong?
KrazyCaley says... Accepted answer #2
The answer to this conundrum is that "losing life" is not the same as "taking damage." Phyrexian Unlife only gives you counters instead of "taking damage." Ad Nauseam causes you to "lose life." Thus, you don't get poison counters for using Ad Nauseam with unlife out, you just lose the life and go down to negative life just fine.
And yes, you could freely lose life with Maralen of the Mornsong with a Phyrexian Unlife out without getting poison counters.
January 17, 2012 9:53 p.m.
Arachnarchist says... #3
Loss of life is not damage, so it doesn't get converted to poison counters. And with Phyrexian Unlife out, you don't lose the game regardless of how low your life is.
January 17, 2012 9:54 p.m.
The distinction here is between "damage" and "loss of life."
"Damage" is only considered to be damage if the spell or ability causing it says "deal damage" in its text, or if it is combat damage being dealt by a creature. Damage dealt to you then causes you to lose that much life (unless the source has infect).
Although damage causes you to lose life, "damage" and "loss of life" are not the same in the rules. Effects that say that you "lose life", such as Ad Nauseam , are not considered to be damage, and are therefore not affected by Phyrexian Unlife .
January 17, 2012 9:54 p.m.
Ninja'd twice! >.<
Also, as a follow up, abilities that trigger when you lose life will trigger if you "take damage", since damage causes loss of life. See Bloodchief Ascension , it's there in the reminder text.
January 17, 2012 9:57 p.m.
You can also combine Phyrexian Unlife and Delaying Shield : All damage is prevented by the Shield and instead you lose life but that doesn't matter becasue of PU. As long as both enchantments are in play, you can't lose the game (except for mill and other alternative win cons).
KrazyCaley says... #1
Ad Nauseam - Phyrexian Unlife - Maralen of the Mornsong
January 17, 2012 9:52 p.m.