Like with infect, the creature has to actually deal the combat damage in order for lifelink to matter
7 Dawnglade Regent One of the more expensive cards with monarch mana value-wise is Dawnglade Regent
This is unusual, as normally tap abilities can't be activated from a player's hand

Kenrith, the Returned King Kenrith, the Returned King Kentaro, the Smiling Cat King Solomon's Frogs Kiyomaro, First to Stand Konda, Lord of Eiganjo Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" Koya, Death from Above Kwende, Pride of Femeref Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa Kytheon, Hero of Akros Lae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion Landroval, Horizon Witness Layla Hassan Legion's Landing Lena, Selfless Champion Leonardo, Big Brother Leonardo, Cutting Edge Leonardo, Leader in Blue Leonardo, Sewer Samurai Leonardo, Worldly Warrior Leonardo, the Balance Lieutenant Kirtar Light-Paws, Emperor's Voice Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero Linden, the Steadfast Queen Linvala, Keeper of Silence Linvala, the Preserver Lita, Little Orphan Amphibian Lita, Mechanical Engineer Lita, Mechanical Engineer Liu Bei, Lord of Shu Livio, Oathsworn Sentinel Loran of the Third Path Loran of the Third Path Loran, Disciple of History Lord Jyscal Guado Losheel, Clockwork Scholar Luke Cage, Power Man Lulu, Loyal Hollyphant Lyra Dawnbringer MJ, Rising Star Mageta the Lion Major Teroh Mangara of Corondor Mangara, the Diplomat Mangara, the Diplomat Masako the Humorless Master Piandao Matt Murdock, Justice Seeker Mavinda, Students' Advocate Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle Michiko Konda, Truth Seeker Mikaeus, the Lunarch Mila, Crafty Companion Minwu, White Mage Mockingbird, Ace Agent Mockingbird, Bobbi Morse Momo, Friendly Flier Momo, Playful Pet Momo, Rambunctious Rascal Mondrak, Glory Dominus Monica Rambeau Monk Gyatso Myojin of Blooming Dawn Myojin of Cleansing Fire Myrel, Shield of Argive Nadaar, Selfless Paladin Nagao, Bound by Honor Nahiri, the Lithomancer Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D

Lathril's Magic deck can use Rogue's Passage to push damage with its commander to make more Elf creature tokens, but Lathril isn't the only token maker