Last Updated: 2026-03-30
417.1. Spells, Units, Abilities, and other game effects may Deal Damage to units.
417.1.a. Assigning Damage during the Combat Damage Step is not Dealing Damage, but will cause Damage to be Dealt when assignment is complete.
417.1.b. To Deal Damage to Units, mark the specified amount of Damage on the Unit.
417.1.c. Damage is marked on each unit separately.
417.1.d. Damage can be Dealt to more than one Unit at the same time.
417.1.e. Valid Damage is a positive integer amount, greater than or equal to 1 Damage.
417.1.e.1. Only Valid Damage is Dealt. Example: A unit has "when I take damage, give me +2 [M] this turn." A spell is played that Prevents the next 3 damage the unit would take. If a player plays Hextech Ray targeting the unit, it will take no damage and its triggered ability will not trigger. If that player had played Void Seeker instead, it would be Dealt 1 and trigger its ability. Example: A unit is present at Void Gate. A spell is played that Prevents the next 3 damage the unit would take. If a player plays Hextech Ray targeting the unit, it will take no damage - in order to apply the Bonus Damage from Void Gate, the Deal game action would have to occur, and Hextech Ray did not Deal any damage.