Dredge

[Maxpayne03]

If my library got no cards, could I still dredge to prevent a library death?

[Giggle the Draco Genius]

Unfortunately not.

702.51b A player with fewer cards in his or her library than the number required by a dredge ability can't put any of them into his or her graveyard this way.

[MisterJH]

All i gotta say is GOOD QUESTION thats interesting o.o
Also would you lose for not having enough library to fully dredge, say having 2 cards in deck and dredging for 3?

EDIT: Ah you beat me to my own question, alright... Thats cool

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

Note, I'll find the official rule for this but you CANT PAY ANY COSTS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU LOSE.

[Remillo]

Note, I'll find the official rule for this but you CANT PAY ANY COSTS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU LOSE.

Nah, you totally can.  If you're at 1 life, you can activate an ability or cast a spell that costs 1 life.  You'll just lose as soon as you finish paying the costs.

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

Note, I'll find the official rule for this but you CANT PAY ANY COSTS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU LOSE.

Nah, you totally can.  If you're at 1 life, you can activate an ability or cast a spell that costs 1 life.  You'll just lose as soon as you finish paying the costs.

are you telling me my shock-myself-then-redirect-damage- deck WILL work?!??!!??

[Remillo]

Note, I'll find the official rule for this but you CANT PAY ANY COSTS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU LOSE.

Nah, you totally can.  If you're at 1 life, you can activate an ability or cast a spell that costs 1 life.  You'll just lose as soon as you finish paying the costs.

are you telling me my shock-myself-then-redirect-damage- deck WILL work?!??!!??

How do you mean?

[MisterJH]

Hes making a joke about a deck idea that clearly makes no sense

[Kaworu, the Fifth Child]

I actually have a legacy deck that relies around shocking myself a lot but redirecting it to an opponent

[particle]

Note, I'll find the official rule for this but you CANT PAY ANY COSTS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU LOSE.

Nah, you totally can.  If you're at 1 life, you can activate an ability or cast a spell that costs 1 life.  You'll just lose as soon as you finish paying the costs.

you actually cannot pay life that you do not have.
118.4. If a cost or effect allows a player to pay an amount of life greater than 0, the player may do so only if his or her life total is greater than or equal to the amount of the payment.

edit: if you check the gatherer for {plague of vermin} youll see an explanation.

edit: its apparently different for a card like {illicit auction} since its life loss not a life payment.