I have a Tarmogoyf on the table. There are three non-instant card types in graveyard, so my Goyf is a 3/4. My opponent taps two of his three untapped lands to cast Terminate targeting my Tarmogoyf. If I cast Stubborn Denial to counter the Terminate, will he be able to pay 1 for my Stubborn Denial, or will the Denial enable its own Ferocious "in time"?
None of the two instants will be in the graveyard as Stubborn Denial is resolving, they're both on the stack. The Denial is going to the graveyard only as the last part of its resolution. So when it is determined whether you control a creature with sufficient power or not, you don't, and they can pay 1 for the Terminate not to be countered.
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Doomsdayin'
Stay reasonable, be mindful of your expectations and don't feed the trolls.
Doomsdayin'