In a close showdown, the heal comes before or after Deathknell?

To resolve the conflict between FAQ #9244 and FAQ #9514 regarding whether units heal before or after Deathknell abilities resolve, we must look at the official rules governing combat cleanup.

The Ruling

Based on the FEPR (Finalize, Execute, Pass, Resolve) process and the interaction between combat cleanup and the chain, units are healed before Deathknell abilities resolve.

While FAQ #9244 suggests Deathknell effects occur before healing, this is superseded by the explicit sequence outlined in FAQ #9514 and the mechanics of Rule 808.1.d.2. Under these rules, Deathknell triggers are added to the chain as "Pending Items" during the cleanup phase, but they do not resolve until the game returns to the FEPR process, which occurs after the combat cleanup healing step is completed.

The Correct Sequence

Following the standard FEPR process and the Deathknell keyword rules:

1. Combat Damage Step: Damage is dealt.
2. Combat Cleanup:
   • Units with lethal damage trigger their Deathknell abilities. These are added to the chain as "Pending Items" (Rule 808.1.d.2).
   • Units with lethal damage are moved to the trash.
   • Surviving units are healed.
3. Resolution: The game returns to the FEPR process. The pending Deathknell triggers on the chain are finalized and resolved.

Summary: Deathknell abilities resolve after the final healing step of combat cleanup.

Note: I could not fully verify this ruling against the retrieved rules due to the conflicting information provided in the FAQs.