Regenerate — what does it mean?
If this creature would be destroyed this turn, it's tapped and healed instead, with all damage removed.
Regenerate appears on 272 cards.
How does Regenerate work?
Regenerate is a keyword action, usually found in an activated ability. When it resolves, it creates a regeneration shield: the next time that permanent would be destroyed this turn, instead all damage is removed from it, it becomes tapped, and if it's attacking or blocking, it's removed from combat. The creature stays on the battlefield as the same permanent, with its counters and Auras. An unused shield disappears at the end of the turn.
The shield has to be in place before the destruction happens. A creature with lethal damage is destroyed as a state-based action, and nobody gets priority in between, so you can't wait until after combat damage. Activate it in the declare blockers step, before damage, or in response to a destroy spell or ability. Every activation makes one more shield, and each shield replaces one destruction. If you expect to be destroyed twice in a turn, you need two shields.
Regeneration only stops destruction. It doesn't help against sacrifice, exile, returning to hand, or a toughness that drops to 0 or less, because none of those destroy the creature. If an effect says the creature can't be regenerated, you can still activate the ability, but the shield won't apply. Indestructible is different: an indestructible permanent simply can't be destroyed, and it isn't tapped or removed from combat.
An example at the table
Your 2/2 with an ability to regenerate for one mana blocks an attacking 4/4. In the declare blockers step, before damage, you pay that one mana and the shield is in place. In the combat damage step your creature deals 2 to the 4/4 and takes 4, which is lethal. Instead of being destroyed, all damage is removed, it becomes tapped and it's removed from combat. The 2 damage it dealt still stays on the 4/4. In their second main phase your opponent casts a destroy spell at it, and you need to pay again for a new shield. If they'd used a -3/-3 effect instead, its toughness would drop to -1 and no shield would help.
Cards with Regenerate
SwarmyardIllustration: Thomas M. Baxa
Nightscape FamiliarIllustration: Jeff Easley
AsceticismIllustration: Daarken
Golgari CharmIllustration: Zoltan Boros
Dawn CharmIllustration: John AvonCommon mistakes
- Waiting until the creature already has lethal damage. It's destroyed right away, so the shield has to be in place before damage is dealt.
- Thinking regeneration saves from -X/-X, sacrifice or exile. It only replaces destruction.
- Thinking a shield lasts beyond this turn. An unused shield disappears at the end of the turn.
- Thinking a regenerated creature keeps attacking or blocking. It's tapped and removed from combat.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between regenerate and indestructible?
- Indestructible means it can't be destroyed at all, with no tapping and no removal from combat. Regeneration replaces a single destruction, taps the creature and takes it out of combat.
- Can I regenerate more than once per turn?
- Yes. Each activation creates another shield, and each shield replaces one destruction.
- Does regeneration work against can't be regenerated?
- No. You may still activate the ability, but the shield doesn't apply.
- Does a regenerated creature leave the battlefield?
- No. It stays as the same permanent, so its counters, Auras and Equipment remain.
Official rule: Comprehensive Rules 701.19. More on where this rulebook comes from under Sources.
Often seen with
Which cards with Regenerate do you own? →
Last updated: 26 October 2026