Multiple instances of Lifelink are redundant, a creature that has lifelink once will gain you exactly the same amount of life as the same creature with multiples of that ability.
So since the War Monk already has lifelink, you can ignore any part of the involved abilities that grant it that ability again. In your scenario the War Monk gets to deal combat damage four times (two combat damage steps due to double strike for each of the two combat phases).
Exalted triggers each time a creature is declared attacking alone in a combat phase. The same goes for any other triggers, that trigger on attacker declaration. Since there are two combat phases here, you get exalted triggers a second time for the second combat phase.
In total, your 6/4 War Monk (O-Naginata) becomes a 9/7 creature with lifelink and double strike, gaining you 18 life in the first combat phase, then it becomes a 12/10 to gain you an additional 24 life in the second combat phase. At this time, your War monk will be a 12/10 with 1x trample (O-Naginata), 3x lifelink (2x Angel plus 1x War Monk), and 2x double strike (Rafiq). For all of these abilities, multiples are redundant.
(Note, that there are some older abilities that are similar to lifelink, but aren't lifelink. Those are usually triggers, and thus cumulative in multiples and with lifelink, e.g. Essence Sliver.)
Thanks for the help! I'm actually glad to hear this is the case. I think this is common sense and rules support the game best when they are so.
Also note that one card (Loxodon Warhammer) had first been printed with the same cumulative ability as Essence Sliver but has since been updated to grant the non-cumulative Lifelink ability.
This is also really helpful. I have the Mirrodin version in another deck and didn't know it had been updated. Now I know that if the Loxodon Warhammer is equipped to a creature with Spirit Link, those two instances of Lifelink are redundant. Thanks guys!
So, I pulled this combo off today, and I was wondering if someone could confirm that I understand it correctly.
I have a Rafiq of the Many, Battlegrace Angel, and Rhox War Monk on the field. The War Monk is equipped with an O-Naginata. When I attack with the Monk alone, against an empty battlefield for my brother, the War Monk deals his damage twice because of the Double Strike and Trample Combo, and benefits twice from his Lifelink trait twice, too.
Because the Battlegrace Angel is on the field, her ability triggers, enters the stack (because of the "Whenever..." language) and the Monk's doubled Lifelink is doubled again. So, four times his normal attribute.
Finally, I have Finest Hour on the field. The Rhox War Monk untaps, then attacks alone again. I think now only the Exalted attributes trigger a second time. I don't think the Battlegrace Angel's triggered Lifelink triggers a second time, or if it does, it is redundant this time.
All told, I count 8 times in one turn I benefit from Lifelink. The amount changes because of the Exalted attributes, but do I have the mechanics correct?
Thanks for the help! I'm actually glad to hear this is the case. I think this is common sense and rules support the game best when they are so.
This is also really helpful. I have the Mirrodin version in another deck and didn't know it had been updated. Now I know that if the Loxodon Warhammer is equipped to a creature with Spirit Link, those two instances of Lifelink are redundant. Thanks guys!
I have a Rafiq of the Many, Battlegrace Angel, and Rhox War Monk on the field. The War Monk is equipped with an O-Naginata. When I attack with the Monk alone, against an empty battlefield for my brother, the War Monk deals his damage twice because of the Double Strike and Trample Combo, and benefits twice from his Lifelink trait twice, too.
Because the Battlegrace Angel is on the field, her ability triggers, enters the stack (because of the "Whenever..." language) and the Monk's doubled Lifelink is doubled again. So, four times his normal attribute.
Finally, I have Finest Hour on the field. The Rhox War Monk untaps, then attacks alone again. I think now only the Exalted attributes trigger a second time. I don't think the Battlegrace Angel's triggered Lifelink triggers a second time, or if it does, it is redundant this time.
All told, I count 8 times in one turn I benefit from Lifelink. The amount changes because of the Exalted attributes, but do I have the mechanics correct?
Thanks in advance!
(Yes, all our cards are ten years old.)