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Damage dealt by a source with lifelink causes that source’s controller to gain that much life, in addition to the damage’s other results.

Finally, the damage event occurs.

A keyword counter on a permanent or on a card in a zone other than the battlefield causes that object to gain that keyword. The keywords that a keyword counter can be are flying, first strike, double strike, deathtouch, decayed, exalted, haste, hexproof, indestructible, lifelink, menace, reach, shadow, trample, and vigilance, as well as any variants of those keywords. See rule 613.1f.

Lifelink

Lifelink is a static ability.

Damage dealt by a source with lifelink causes that source’s controller, or its owner if it has no controller, to gain that much life (in addition to any other results that damage causes). See rule 120.3.

If an object changes zones before an effect causes it to deal damage, its last known information is used to determine whether it had lifelink.

The lifelink rules function no matter what zone an object with lifelink deals damage from.

You may ignore a Trap's alternative cost condition and simply cast it for its normal mana cost. This is true even if its alternative cost condition has been met.

Needlebite Trap's alternative cost condition checks only whether life was gained. It doesn't care whether life was also lost. For example, if an opponent gained 4 life and lost 6 life during the turn, that player will have a lower life total than they started the turn with — but you can still cast Needlebite Trap by paying {B}.

Casting a Trap by paying its alternative cost doesn't change its mana cost or mana value. The only difference is the cost you actually pay.

Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a Trap will apply to whichever cost you chose to pay.