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Jun 19, 2011 -- 8:32PM, rcmdawg wrote:

New to EDH format so i have a few questions. When my commander deals damage to an opponent does it bring their 40 life total down or does it just deal "commander" damage?

Both.  When a general attacks and the combat damage is not blocked, then the target player takes damage equal to the power of the general.  Additionally, if the total cumulative damage dealt by a SINGLE general to a SINGLE player ever equals 21 or greater, then that player looses.  So you sort of have to keep track of both. 

If Vorosh, the Hunter (as a general) deals 6 combat damage to player A (who's life total begins at 40) they then have 34 (40-6) remaining life and have been dealt 6(0+6) "Vorosh" general damage.  If on the next turn Vorosh, the Hunter deals 12 more damage, then Player A's life total becomes 22 (34-12), and now they have been dealt a total of 18 (6+12) "Vorosh" general damage.  If another player swings with Yosei, the Morning Star (acting as a General) and the damage is not blocked, then Player A's life total becomes 17 (22-5), and now they have been dealt 5 (0+5) "Yosei" general damage and 18 "Vorosh" general damage.  Now lets say that Player A gains 20 life (he cast a small Exsanguinate or something)- his life total becomes 37 (17+20), but he still has been dealt 5 "Yosei" general damage and 18 "Vorosh" general damage.  All Vorosh, the Hunter has to do is 3 points of general damage and Player A still looses, no matter what his life total is.