<p>No, it won't save <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista">Walking Ballista</a> from dying. You have first to pay the cost &quot;Remove a +1/+1 counter from Walking Ballista&quot;, and as soon as the ability goes on the stack, you regain priority and State-Based Actions are checked. Walking Ballista dies because of:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[<strong>704.5f</strong>] If a creature has toughness 0 or less, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard. Regeneration can’t replace this event.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-01T23:54:03.453Z
I've fixed the priority reference—players always regain priority after activating abilities / casting spells.
doppelgreener
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-01T22:31:21.563Z
2022-04-01T23:45:25.680Z
2022-04-01T23:45:25.680Z
piotrek
<p>I'm playing the <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Heliod%2C%20Sun-Crowned">Heliod, Sun-Crowned</a> &amp; <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista">Walking Ballista</a> combo where Heliod is able to give +1/+1 to Walking Ballista when I gain life:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Whenever you gain life, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature or enchantment you control.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If my Walking Ballista only has one +1/+1 counter and I use its ability to target an opponent player, does the lifelink and consequent +1/+1 counter from Heliod save the Ballista from dying?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Does the Heliod / Walking Ballista combo work with a 1/1 Ballista?
Matt
# Does the Heliod / Walking Ballista combo work with a 1/1 Ballista?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-04-01)

I'm playing the [Heliod, Sun-Crowned](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Heliod%2C%20Sun-Crowned) & [Walking Ballista](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista) combo where Heliod is able to give +1/+1 to Walking Ballista when I gain life:

> Whenever you gain life, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature or enchantment you control.

If my Walking Ballista only has one +1/+1 counter and I use its ability to target an opponent player, does the lifelink and consequent +1/+1 counter from Heliod save the Ballista from dying?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-04-01. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

No, it won't save [Walking Ballista](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Walking%20Ballista) from dying. You have first to pay the cost "Remove a +1/+1 counter from Walking Ballista", and as soon as the ability goes on the stack, you regain priority and State-Based Actions are checked. Walking Ballista dies because of:

> [**704.5f**] If a creature has toughness 0 or less, it’s put into its owner’s graveyard. Regeneration can’t replace this event.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I've fixed the priority reference—players always regain priority after activating abilities / casting spells.  

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