Rule evolution

Rule 119.7

Previously numbered 117.7, 118.7.

Earliest archived Rules release: 2009-10-01 · 2 wording revisions · 2 renumberings

  1. Earliest archived Rules release117.7Details
    If an effect says that a player can't gain life, that player can't exchange life totals with a player who has a higher life total; in that case, the exchange won't happen. In addition, a cost that involves having that player gain life can't be paid, and a replacement effect that would replace a life gain event affecting that player won't do anything.
  2. Renumbered117.7 → 118.7Details

    Previously
    1. Game Concepts
    117. Life

    Then
    1. Game Concepts
    118. Life

    If an effect says that a player can't gain life, that player can't exchange life totals with a player who has a higher life total; in that case, the exchange won't happen. In addition, a cost that involves having that player gain life can't be paid, and a replacement effect that would replace a life gain event affecting that player won't do anything.
  3. Wording changed118.7Details
    If an effect says that a player can't gain life, that player can't exchangemake lifean totalsexchange withsuch athat the player's wholife hastotal awould higherbecome life totalhigher; in that case, the exchange won't happen. In addition, a cost that involves having that player gain life can't be paid, and a replacement effect that would replace a life gain event affecting that player won't do anything.
  4. Wording changed118.7Details
    If an effect says that a player can't gain life, that player can't make an exchange such that the player's life total would become higher; in that case, the exchange won't happen. Similarly, if an effect redistributes life totals, a player can't receive a new life total such that the player's life total would become higher. In addition, a cost that involves having that player gain life can't be paid, and a replacement effect that would replace a life gain event affecting that player won't do anything.
  5. Renumbered118.7 → 119.7Details

    Previously
    1. Game Concepts
    118. Life

    Then
    1. Game Concepts
    119. Life

    If an effect says that a player can’t gain life, that player can’t make an exchange such that the player’s life total would become higher; in that case, the exchange won’t happen. Similarly, if an effect redistributes life totals, a player can’t receive a new life total such that the player’s life total would become higher. In addition, a cost that involves having that player gain life can’t be paid, and a replacement effect that would replace a life gain event affecting that player won’t do anything.

Current in the latest available Rules
Unchanged since 2026-08-07.