Craterhoof Behemoth, like Santa Claus, just loves handing out presents to all the good little boy and girl…creatures (though in Hoofie’s case, the presents are in the form of plusses and trample). But how many presents does each creature get? Unlike a spell, the value of X isn’t locked in when a triggered ability goes onto the stack; in fact, aside from a few things (modes, targets, and division of things among targets), everything is determined upon resolution of a spell or ability.

In this case, the value of X will be based on the number of creatures controlled by the controller of Hoofie’s ability when the ability resolves. If an effect like populate put more creatures onto the battlefield in response to the ability, X will be greater; conversely, if creatures were destroyed in response to the ability, X will be smaller. Destroying Hoofie himself will reduce the value of X, but the ability will still resolve independently of his tragic demise. If you want to be a mean, mean person, destroying all the other creatures too will cause the ability to have no meaningful effect.

Today’s Rules Tip written by Jen Wong