Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death — ruling 1

Your starting life total is the life total you began the game with. For most two-player formats, this is 20. For Two-Headed Giant, it's the life total your team started with, usually 30. In Commander games, the starting life total is 40.

Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death — ruling 2

You check your life total to see if Chalice of Life transforms only when its ability resolves.

Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

: You gain 1 life. Then if you have at least 10 life more than your starting life total, transform this artifact. : Target player loses 5 life.

How it works : Chalice of Life // Chalice of Death

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1January 22, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
Your starting life total is the life total you began the game with. For most two-player formats, this is 20. For Two-Headed Giant, it's the life total your team started with, usually 30. In Commander games, the starting life total is 40.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2January 22, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
You check your life total to see if Chalice of Life transforms only when its ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.