Tribute

Tribute
Keyword Ability
Type	Static
Introduced	Born of the Gods
Last used	Born of the Gods
Reminder Text	Tribute N (As this creature enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may place N +1/+1 counters on it.)
Statistics	11 cards 9.1% 9.1% 9.1% 36.4% 27.3% 9.1%
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keyword:"tribute wasn't paid"

Tribute is a static ability found on creatures that was introduced in Born of the Gods. It gives opponents an unfortunate choice: have the creature grow in size, or allow a powerful enters-the-battlefield ability to trigger.

Rulings

• If the opponent pays tribute, the creature will enter the battlefield with the specified number of +1/+1 counters on it. It won’t enter the battlefield and then have the +1/+1 counters placed on it.
• The choice of whether to pay tribute is made as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late to respond to the creature spell. For example, in a multiplayer game, opponents won’t know whether tribute will be paid or which opponent will be chosen to pay tribute or not when deciding whether to counter the creature spell.
• If the triggered ability has a target, that target will not be known while the creature spell with tribute is on the stack.
• Players can’t respond to the tribute decision before the creature enters the battlefield. That is, if the opponent doesn’t pay tribute, the triggered ability will trigger before any player has a chance to remove the creature.
• The triggered ability will resolve even if the creature with tribute isn’t on the battlefield at that time.

Examples

Example

Nessian Demolok
Creature — Beast
3/3
Tribute 3 (As this creature enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may put three +1/+1 counters on it.)
When Nessian Demolok enters the battlefield, if tribute wasn't paid, destroy target noncreature permanent.

See also

• Punisher