A question on rules Q&A asked if Worldheart Phoenix would enter with counters if something like Essence of the Wild is under the same player's control.

Option A) The static ability creates the replacement effect when you cast the phoenix, and the effect “carries over” to the permanent it becomes as it resolves, and gets the counters. The counters aren't dependent on the Phoenix actually having the ability as it enters, as long as it was cast for the alternate cost.

Option B) The “comes with counters” clause is its own (nested) static effect that gets removed by Essence, and thus there is no replacement effect (and no counters) to apply.

Edited Scott Marshall (June 23, 2013 07:54:18 PM)