This is an older ‘change’ than the Missed Trigger update a little while back, but it’s one we haven’t really covered. One of the toughest things for a Judge to figure out is a life total discrepancy; when Player A says he’s at one life total, and Player B insists that he’s at another. In cases like this, it’s up to the Judge to figure out which player is right. So how can you avoid sticky situations like that? The first one is to keep track of life totals in a very methodical manner; many people choose to use dice to keep track of their life totals, but this isn’t ideal. Dice can be knocked over, leading to arguments about how you weren’t at 18, you were at 16. The preferred method that most any Judge will suggest is using a pen and paper; this way you can keep track of your life total and your opponent’s very clearly, and it’s nigh impossible for it to accidentally get changed because somebody bumped the table. On top of that, it’s easy for a Judge to look at a lifepad and see the changes in life totals, making it easier to figure out where a discrepancy began.

Speaking of changes in the totals, another easy way to prevent a lot of headache for yourself and the Judges is to announce life total changes every time they occur. When your opponent swings at you, you should verbally confirm “That puts me at 12”. That way, if there’s something wrong and you SHOULD be at 10, or at 13, or what have you, a Judge can be called immediately. It’s a lot easier to figure out a discrepancy right when it comes up, rather than several turns and 20 minutes later. So, in conclusion: Use pen and paper to keep track of your life total and your opponent’s; verbally announce and confirm every change in life total; and immediately call a Judge if something doesn’t add up.