Let's say i have 2 creatures in play, where one of those creatures is the preeminent captain and i also have windbrisk Heights.
If i attack with both creatures and use the ability of preeminent captain to put another kithkin soldier into play, can i activate windbrisk Heights afterwards?
I understand that there was no attack trigger (so if i would put a preeminent captain into play that one won't trigger), but the creatures WERE attacking.
Does windbrisk Heights check if there were 3 declared attackers, or does it check how many creatures were attacking?
You "attacked with three or more creatures this turn" if you declared three or more creatures as attackers in that turn (see also C.R. 508.6). Creatures that merely enter the battlefield attacking (such as with Preeminent Captain's ability), without being declared this way, don't count (see also C.R. 508.4, 508.3c; see also the ruling for Windbrisk Heights).
EDIT (Mar. 22): Note that you can activate Windbrisk Heights's second ability even if you didn't attack with that many creatures that turn (in which case the ability would merely do nothing when it resolves); that condition is not a restriction on when it can be activated (within the meaning of C.R. 602.1b) (it would be if it had read "...its mana cost. Activate only if you attacked...").
EDIT (Aug. 22, 2017): Edited rule citations to conform to the Commander 2017 rules, which will take effect on August 25.
EDIT (May 31, 2021): Edited note from Mar. 22.
EDIT (Dec. 25, 2023): Edit rule citations.
In my kithkin soldier deck i have preeminent captain and windbrisk Heights.
Let's say i have 2 creatures in play, where one of those creatures is the preeminent captain and i also have windbrisk Heights.
If i attack with both creatures and use the ability of preeminent captain to put another kithkin soldier into play, can i activate windbrisk Heights afterwards?
I understand that there was no attack trigger (so if i would put a preeminent captain into play that one won't trigger), but the creatures WERE attacking.
Does windbrisk Heights check if there were 3 declared attackers, or does it check how many creatures were attacking?
EDIT (Mar. 22): Note that you can activate Windbrisk Heights's second ability even if you didn't attack with that many creatures that turn (in which case the ability would merely do nothing when it resolves); that condition is not a restriction on when it can be activated (within the meaning of C.R. 602.1b) (it would be if it had read "...its mana cost. Activate only if you attacked...").
EDIT (Aug. 22, 2017): Edited rule citations to conform to the Commander 2017 rules, which will take effect on August 25.
EDIT (May 31, 2021): Edited note from Mar. 22.
EDIT (Dec. 25, 2023): Edit rule citations.