Can I remove +1/+1 counters from a creature that has died?

Asked by camtron47 8 years ago

For example, I block a 4/4 creature with Swarm of Bloodflies which currently has two +1/+1 counters on it. Can I then activate Retribution of the Ancients ability to remove the two +1/+1 counters from Swarm of Bloodflies to give the 4/4 creature -2/-2, and hence kill it? Or will the Swarm of Bloodflies be forced to go to the Graveyard before I can activate Retribution of the Ancients' ability?

Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1

When combat damage is assigned and dealt, state-based actions are checked immediately afterward. There's no opportunity to assign and deal combat damage, then activate an ability before creatures are destroyed from combat. You would need to activate the ability before combat damage, but doing so means that Swarm of Bloodflies will deal less combat damage.

May 24, 2015 10:53 a.m.

camtron47 says... #2

Thanks, Epochalyptik, for the response.

May 24, 2015 10:59 a.m.

This discussion has been closed