Creature health, represented by toughness in Magic: The Gathering, typically resets to its original value at the beginning of each player’s turn. Damage dealt to a creature remains marked on it until the cleanup step of the turn in which it was dealt. For instance, if a creature with 3 toughness sustains 2 damage during combat, it will still have 2 damage marked on it until the current turn concludes. At the start of the next player’s turn, assuming the creature survives, the damage is removed, and its toughness effectively returns to its base value.
The timing of damage removal is critical for strategic gameplay. Understanding this mechanic allows players to plan attacks and defenses more effectively. Historically, the timing has remained consistent throughout the game’s evolution, providing a stable foundation for combat interactions. The predictability of damage removal ensures a consistent and understandable game state, crucial for fair play and strategic depth.
