Zurgo Helmsmasher getting counter or dies when blocked?
Asked by Mickyplays 8 years ago
Let's say Zurgo Helmsmasher with no counters is blocked by a creature with power of 2. Since Zurgo kills it, does Zurgo die or does it survive due to it getting +1/+1
Gidgetimer says... #2
Please link all cards in your post.
If Zurgo is attacking it is your turn and he is indestructible so he lives. If you somehow had an untapped zurgo on your opponent's turn and you blocked a creature with power 2 then Zurgo would die. Zurgo doesn't get the counter until after the other creature dies and his trigger resolves. If more than one creature is dealt lethal damage at the same time, they both die simultaneously and Zurgo will no longer be on the battlefield to get the counter.
June 12, 2016 11:34 p.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #3
Zurgo's ability is triggered (it starts with "Whenever..."). This means that it uses the stack. Zurgo will have been dealt lethal damage when states are checked after combat damage. He's normally indestructible when attacking so this doesn't bother him, but if somehow he isn't, he'll be destroyed before effects on the stack start resolving. States, like players losing or creatures dying from lethal damage, get checked before anything resolves or anyone gets priority.
I wanted to mention that his ability is triggered specifically since that will better explain how the situation would resolve in the general case. You'll understand it better when it comes up on other creatures.
Raging_Squiggle says... Accepted answer #1
Zurgo Helmsmasher
Note the third ability on Zurgo: "Zurgo Helmsmasher has indestructible as long as it's your turn."
This means that as long as it's your turn, he cannot die to damage. He will survive just fine to get the +1/+1 counter on him.
June 12, 2016 11:31 p.m.