Ezuri, Claw of Progress and +1/+1 counters
Asked by SultaiEngineer 9 years ago
I just bought the new Ezuri Commander deck and am customizing it. Does a card that enters with +1/+1 counters, such as Prime Speaker Zegana still trigger Ezuri, Claw of Progress's experience ability if the +1/+1 counters would push the creature's power above 2?
SultaiEngineer says... #2
This is my first time using this site, so I hope I'm responding to your comment correctly.
That said, thanks for the feedback and the suggestions!
December 1, 2015 4:43 a.m.
TheBatchCode says... #3
All good, Im not a very frequent user so this is a first for me too.
December 1, 2015 4:45 a.m.
SultaiEngineer says... #4
I hate to be a pest, but in the case of Khalni Hydra that would mean it is a 4/4 regardless of its location? Additionally, I'm assuming I would have to cast Primordial Hydra as a 2/2 or less to trigger the ability?
These may seem like odd questions, but I've used the hydra + Corpsejack Menace combo, so I assumed they entered as 0/0's and then got the +1/+1 counters.
December 1, 2015 4:51 a.m.
TheBatchCode says... #5
Well it's like an instant ability which is constantly changing, in a way it never had 0/0 (because it would be dead) but in the same it's entering whilst adding 1/1 counters onto it.
So in a sense, yes you are adding counters onto it, but it happens as the first thing when it hits the floor, otherwise, in the case of a lot of hydras, they would die before anything else.
December 1, 2015 4:59 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #6
@TheBatchCode: Your answer is incorrect.
Effects that cause a creature to enter the battlefield with a certain number of counters are replacement effects that modify how that creature enters the battlefield. They only apply just before the creature enters. What you may be confusing this with is a characteristic-defining ability that determines P/T. These kinds of abilities are represented by one or more asterisks in the P/T box of a creature card and a static ability in the text box. For example, Tarmogoyf has a CDA. Because CDAs function in all zones, Tarmogoyf's P/T is updated in all zones.
Therefore, Prime Speaker Zegana is a 1/1 in all other zones, and it only gets counters as it is entering the battlefield.
When a creature enters the battlefield with a certain number of counters, its P/T is affected as it enters. For example, if you control a 3/3, Prime Speaker Zegana will enter as a 4/4.
Now, Khalni Hydra is a 8/8 in all zones because that's it's printed P/T.
Primordial Hydra enters the battlefield with however many counters correspond to its X value when it was cast. It works with Corpsejack Menace because a creature entering the battlefield with N counters is considered to have those counters placed on it.
December 1, 2015 6:33 a.m.
TheBatchCode says... #7
Ah I seem to have mixed the CDA function with that of an entering ability with counters....and rolled them all together. Well, I've learnt something new too.
Sorry OP for providing the false info. I get to go tell one of my friends he's dead wrong now >.>
December 1, 2015 8:23 a.m.
EddCrawley says... #8
I did the very same thing, please take a look at my offering
Ezuri, Claw of Infinite +1/+1's
Commander / EDH
SCORE: 0 | 1 COMMENTS | 191 VIEWS
December 1, 2015 9:15 a.m.
SultaiEngineer says... #9
Thanks for the help! Haha I actually meant to type Kalonian Hydra, but your answers still resolve my confusion!And thanks for the deck suggestion/advice!
December 1, 2015 9:37 a.m.
SpencerMTGguy says... #10
Primordial Hydra question (my apology for clarification request on resolved post) but if it were to end from a grave or at all after initial casting would I pop to grave or "re-enter" with P/T equivalent of when it was originally cast??
(My apology again for question on resolved post)
December 6, 2015 7:34 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #11
Please ask unrelated questions in new threads.
Your question isn't worded very well; it's hard to figure out what you're asking.
You can only declare an X value for Primordial Hydra if you cast it for its mana cost. If for some reason Primordial Hydra is put onto the battlefield by another spell or ability, then it won't have an X value and will enter with zero counters. It doesn't "remember" the X value it had before.
December 6, 2015 8:30 a.m.
SpencerMTGguy says... #12
Sorry once again but thank you all the same. Your post helped me.
TheBatchCode says... #1
So yeah, if a card enters with a certain amount of +1/+1 counters it will always be that if its in your hand, library or graveyard. In a sense if you have a 5/5 on the field, Zegana will be a 6/6 whereever she is.
To be honest, with her that is a very small problem, as you want her to get as many 1/1's as possible. While we're at it friend, a suggestion
Thought Reflection and Laboratory Maniac
December 1, 2015 4:38 a.m.