Deathbringer Thoctar
Creature — Zombie Beast
Whenever another creature dies, you may put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from this creature: It deals 1 damage to any target.
Karl Kopinski
Alara Reborn (ARB)
• #36Rulings
If Deathbringer Thoctar and another creature are dealt lethal damage at the same time, Deathbringer Thoctar will be put into a graveyard before it would receive any counters. Its ability will still trigger, but it will do nothing when it resolves.
(wotc • 2009-05-01)
You may remove any +1/+1 counter from Deathbringer Thoctar to activate its second ability, not just a +1/+1 counter put on it with its first ability.
(wotc • 2009-05-01)
Rulings
If Deathbringer Thoctar and another creature are dealt lethal damage at the same time, Deathbringer Thoctar will be put into a graveyard before it would receive any counters. Its ability will still trigger, but it will do nothing when it resolves.
(wotc • 2009-05-01)
You may remove any +1/+1 counter from Deathbringer Thoctar to activate its second ability, not just a +1/+1 counter put on it with its first ability.
(wotc • 2009-05-01)