Inferno Elemental — ruling 1

Inferno Elemental’s ability will trigger for each creature it blocks or becomes blocked by.

Inferno Elemental — ruling 2

Inferno Elemental’s ability resolves during the declare blockers step, before even first strike damage is assigned. If the damage dealt to another creature this way is lethal damage, that creature will be destroyed before it can deal its combat damage.

Inferno Elemental — ruling 3

The 3 damage that Inferno Elemental deals as a result of its ability is not combat damage. Inferno Elemental will still deal its combat damage as normal (unless all the creatures that blocked or were blocked by it have left the battlefield by the time the combat damage step begins).

Inferno Elemental : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Inferno Elemental 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

Whenever this creature blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, this creature deals 3 damage to that creature.

How it works : Inferno Elemental

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
Inferno Elemental’s ability will trigger for each creature it blocks or becomes blocked by.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2October 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
Inferno Elemental’s ability resolves during the declare blockers step, before even first strike damage is assigned. If the damage dealt to another creature this way is lethal damage, that creature will be destroyed before it can deal its combat damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3October 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
The 3 damage that Inferno Elemental deals as a result of its ability is not combat damage. Inferno Elemental will still deal its combat damage as normal (unless all the creatures that blocked or were blocked by it have left the battlefield by the time the combat damage step begins).
No other card is named in this ruling.