Does a creature that regenerates retain damage dealt to it before regenerating?

When a regeneration shield is used, it replaces the destruction event with three simultaneous effects: the creature's damage is removed, it's tapped, and it's removed from combat (if applicable). This means any damage that was on the creature — including the damage that triggered regeneration — is wiped clean.

This is codified in CR 701.15b, which states that to regenerate a permanent means to replace its destruction with three effects, one of which is: 'remove all damage marked on it.' So regeneration is not just preventing death — it actively clears the damage counter.

This matters because damage has multiple effects in MTG: it can be lethal (destroying the creature) but it also contributes to effects like lifelink, infect counters, or simply tracking whether a creature will die to a second hit. After regenerating, the creature is 'fresh' with zero damage marked.

Example: Your 2/2 creature is dealt 2 damage (exactly lethal). You activate a regeneration ability. The destruction is replaced: all damage is removed from the creature, it becomes tapped, and it leaves combat. On the next turn, it untaps with 0 damage marked — not 2.

Note that regeneration does not prevent the damage from being dealt in the first place (CR 701.15c). Effects that trigger on damage being dealt (like lifelink) still trigger normally; regeneration only removes the damage afterward as part of replacing destruction.