The Battlefield

Herd Baloth

$0.35

Ivy Lane Denizen

$0.20

AI DraftFeb 26, 2026

Herd Baloth + Ivy Lane Denizen

Overview

When a green creature enters the battlefield, Ivy Lane Denizen’s triggered ability triggers and (on resolution) puts a +1/+1 counter on the chosen target creature; if that target is Herd Baloth, the counter(s) being put on Herd Baloth cause Herd Baloth’s triggered ability to trigger, and that ability (which is optional) may create a 4/4 green Beast creature token. The token’s entry can then cause Ivy Lane Denizen to trigger again, potentially repeating the sequence. Relevant rules: creatures entering the battlefield , counters , tokens , and triggered-ability timing .

Step 1

A green creature (not the Denizen) enters the battlefield under your control; this is putting a creature onto the battlefield , which causes Ivy Lane Denizen’s 'Whenever another green creature you control enters' triggered ability to trigger.

Step 2

That Ivy Lane Denizen trigger is put on the stack and later (when it resolves) it attempts to put a +1/+1 counter on the targeted creature; the +1/+1 counter is a counter and modifies power/toughness as described by the counters rules and layer application .

Step 3

If the Denizen’s ability puts a +1/+1 counter on Herd Baloth, the event 'one or more +1/+1 counters are put on this creature' occurred, so Herd Baloth’s triggered ability triggers; triggered abilities created by events are placed on the stack according to the triggered-ability process .

Step 4

When Herd Baloth’s triggered ability resolves the controller may choose to create a 4/4 green Beast creature token; tokens put onto the battlefield are permanents created by the ability .

Step 5

When that Beast token enters the battlefield it is itself a green creature entering under your control, so Ivy Lane Denizen will trigger again (if still on the battlefield and able to see that event), and the cycle can repeat: Denizen puts another +1/+1 counter (which can again be put on Herd Baloth), Herd Baloth’s ability triggers, and so on.

Step 6

Because Herd Baloth’s ability is worded 'you may create a 4/4 green Beast creature token' the Baloth’s controller can decline to create the token and thereby stop the repeating sequence; Denizen’s ability is not optional, so it will place a counter on its chosen target when it resolves unless the target is illegal.

Resolution

If you control both creatures and another green creature enters, Ivy Lane Denizen’s ability triggers; when that trigger resolves it puts a +1/+1 counter on its chosen target (it can target Herd Baloth or even the Denizen itself; see Ruling [2020-11-10]). Putting one or more +1/+1 counters on Herd Baloth causes Herd Baloth’s ability to trigger, and when that trigger resolves you may create a 4/4 green Beast token (the token entering is itself a creature entering the battlefield and will cause Ivy Lane Denizen to trigger again if it’s a different green creature) . Because Herd Baloth’s token creation is optional, its controller can stop the loop by choosing not to create the token; otherwise the token’s entry will trigger Ivy Lane Denizen again and the chain can continue. Trigger and counter interactions follow the rules for counters and the usual process for putting triggered abilities on the stack .

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