1. Defining Variables, Checks, and Modifiers for Unit Health

A variable is a state or number that Eternal actively keeps track of during a game. Variables can change, depending on what they are.

A check is a series of actions that Eternal takes when certain conditions are met. In Magic: The Gathering, these are known as State Based Actions. However, checks are different in that not all checks happen all the time.

A modifier is a special type of check in which part of its actions changes a variable. Eternal does not keep track of any numbers any modifiers generates outside of those in variables.

When talking about unit health, there are four variables and three modifiers. The variables are: Base Health, Total Health, Current Health, and Damage. The modifiers are Positive Health, Negative Health, and Set Health.

2. Base Health

Base Health is the starting health that a unit has. This variable will typically never be changed in any shape or fashion.

3. Total Health

Total Health is the health that a unit has after all modifiers have been applied. This variable will be frequently modified throughout a game and has a few checks that are constantly monitored.

Checks:

-If Total Health is less than or equal to 0, then

-If Unit is on the field, it dies.

-If Unit is in the void, it cannot return to the field.

4. Current Health

Current Health is the health that is displayed on a unit. This variable will be frequently modified throughout a game and has a few checks that are constantly monitored.

Checks:

-If Total Health is

- greater than Base Health, display Current Health in green.

- equal to Base Health, display Current Health in white.

- less than Base Health, display Current Health in purple.

-If Damage is greater than 0, override above check and display Current Health in red.

5. Damage

Damage is a variable calculated whenever a unit attacks or is attacked, or is hit by a direct damage spell. Damage specific checks only happen during these times.

Checks:

-When Damage occurs, add that number to the previous Damage value, then

-If Damage is equal to or greater than Total Health, the unit dies.

-If Damage is less than Total Health, take the difference between Damage and Total Health and display it as Current Health.

-At the end of a turn, set Damage to 0 and run above check.

6. Positive Health

The Positive Health modifier can also be known as buffing. This happens whenever a spell, effect, or attachment would increase a unit's health. Checks for Positive Health happen whenever Positive Health is added or removed from a unit.

Checks:

-When Positive Health is a non-zero value, add that number to Total Health. Then, if the unit is on the field,

-If Damage is equal to or greater than Total Health, the unit's current health is set to 1.

-If Damage is less than Total Health, take the difference between Damage and Total Health and display it as Current Health.

6. Negative Health

The Negative Health modifier can also be known as debuffing. This happens whenever a spell, effect, or attachment would decrease a unit's health. Checks for Negative Health happen whenever Negative Health is added or removed from a unit.

Checks:

-When Negative Health is a non-zero value, subtract that number to Total Health. Then, if the unit is on the field,

-If Damage is equal to or greater than Total Health, the unit dies.

-If Damage is less than Total Health, take the difference between Damage and Total Health and display it as Current Health.

7. Set Health

The Set Health modifier exists, as of Set 3, only on three cards: Withering Witch, Scare, and Crownwatch Traitor. This modifier acts differently from the other modifiers in that it does not add or subtract values from Total Health, rather it forces Total Health to become a certain value. Checks for Set Health happen whenever an effect or spell makes a unit's health become a certain value.

Checks:

-When Set Health is a non-zero value, Total Health becomes this value. Then, if the unit is on the field,

-If Damage is equal to or greater than Total Health, the unit dies.