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.) |
| Storm Scale | 8[1] |
| Statistics |
11 cards  9.1%  9.1%  9.1%  36.4%  27.3%  9.1% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"tribute wasn't paid" | |
Tribute is a static ability found on creatures that was introduced in Born of the Gods.[2] It gives opponents an unfortunate choice: have the creature grow in size, or allow a powerful enters-the-battlefield ability to trigger.
While punisher mechanics have fans, an entire mechanic of them did not land. Despite that all of them were creatures, the difficulty in designing meaningful Tribute effects was high, so the mechanic landed on an 8 on the scale.[1]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Tribute
- A keyword ability that allows an opponent to choose between a creature entering the battlefield with +1/+1 counters or an additional ability. See rule 702.104, “Tribute.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.104. Tribute
- 702.104a Tribute is a static ability that functions as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. “Tribute N” means “As this creature enters the battlefield, choose an opponent. That player may put an additional N +1/+1 counters on it as it enters the battlefield.”
- 702.104b Objects with tribute have triggered abilities that check “if tribute wasn’t paid.” This condition is true if the opponent chosen as a result of the tribute ability didn’t have the creature enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters as specified by the creature’s tribute ability.
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
References
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (December 7, 2020). "STORM SCALE: THEROS AND THEROS BEYOND DEATH". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 20, 2014). "Born Legacy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.