Skullbriar in the grave with a Keyword counter
Asked by RedUndead40 4 years ago
I've seen a lot of people recommending SkullBriar for use in the Kathril, Aspect Warper deck. I get what people are trying to do but I'm not sure if it works that way.
So, if Skullbriar gets a keyword counter (vigilance, let's say) and then goes to the grave, does Kathril see Skullbriar as having vigilance when it enters the battlefield?
Gidgetimer says... Accepted answer #2
I don't follow that second line of reasoning. According to 122.1 counters modify what they are on and have no characteristics themselves. Combines with Skullbriar, the Walking Grave's fourth Gatherer ruling that +1/+1 counters modify Skullbriar, the Walking Grave in all zones I think that it is rather obvious even without release notes that he will be counted as having all abilities that he has counters for.
122.1. A counter is a marker placed on an object or player that modifies its characteristics and/or interacts with a rule, ability, or effect. Counters are not objects and have no characteristics. Notably, a counter is not a token, and a token is not a counter. Counters with the same name or description are interchangeable.
Counters that adjust power and/or toughness affect Skullbriar’s power and/or toughness in zones other than the battlefield. For example, a Skullbriar in the command zone with a +1/+1 counter on it will be 2/2.
April 6, 2020 10:04 p.m.
https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/614848162993258496/so-about-keyword-counters-and-skullbriar-if-your
That's a link to MaRo's confirmation of Gidgetimer's answer.
Raging_Squiggle says... #1
We will have to wait for the release note and rules updates. It's in debate currently on a few forums on whether or not the counters grant the ability to the creature, or the counters themselves are what are providing the abilities.
If the counter grants the ability to the creature, then Kathril will see Skullbriar, the Walking Grave as having the ability associated with that counter.
If the ability is an effect from the counter itself, then no, Kathril will not see Skullbriar, the Walking Grave as having the associated ability because the ability is not "on the creature" but rather an effect from the counter.
April 6, 2020 6:05 p.m.