Regenerate
Keyword actions
A shield against the next destruction — not a blanket save.
How it works
Regenerating a permanent sets up a replacement shield. The next time that permanent would be destroyed this turn, it isn't: instead, all damage marked on it is removed, its controller taps it, and if it's attacking or blocking it is removed from combat.
The permanent never leaves the battlefield, so nothing that triggers on a creature dying triggers. An unused shield lasts until end of turn, and each regeneration effect creates its own.
The timing detail almost everyone gets wrong: the creature taps when the shield is USED, not when it is created. Regenerating an untapped blocker does not tap it pre-emptively.
Common confusions
“I regenerated it and it still went to the graveyard.”
Regeneration only replaces *destruction*. Exile, sacrifice, being bounced to hand, having its toughness reduced to 0, and the legend rule all ignore the shield entirely.
“The removal said "it can't be regenerated."”
Then the shield does nothing. That wording exists precisely to switch regeneration off, and it is common on premium removal.
“It survived combat — does it keep fighting?”
No. Using the shield removes it from combat, so it deals and is dealt no further combat damage this turn. An attacker regenerated mid-combat connects with nobody.
“Is indestructible just better?”
Almost always. Indestructible needs no shield, costs nothing to maintain, doesn't tap the creature and doesn't remove it from combat. Regeneration is an older answer to the same problem.
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