So how does Ezuri, Claw of Progress interact with a Fractal that starts with more than 2 +1/+1 counters?
I would guess that the fractal gets the counters on arrival and therefore doesn't trigger Ezuri.
Indeed, Ezuri's first ability doesn't trigger if an otherwise 0/0 creature enters the battlefield with three or more +1/+1 counters. This is because—
that ability is an enters-the battlefield ability that checks the state of the game immediately after the creature enters the battlefield (C.R. 603.6a, 603.10), and
the +1/+1 counters start changing the creature's power and toughness from the moment the creature enters the battlefield; the creature doesn't enter as 0/0 and then change to a different power and toughness (C.R. 603.5, 613.1g, 613.4c; see also C.R. 603.6c, 611.3c).
So who's correct here? If the fractal token enters as a 0/0 and Ezuri has time to trigger, wouldn't the token be destroyed due to having 0 toughness as a state based effect?
So who's correct here? If the fractal token enters as a 0/0 and Ezuri has time to trigger, wouldn't the token be destroyed due to having 0 toughness as a state based effect?
No. In general, if a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability creates a 0/0 token then puts one or more +1/+1 counters on it, the token's toughness will be greater than 0 by the time the spell or ability finishes resolving, so that it won't go to the graveyard as a state-based action even though that token's toughness was 0 for a brief moment while the spell or ability was resolving (C.R. 704.4, 117.2e, 704.5f, 117.3b, 117.5). This applies to living weapon (C.R. 702.92a) as it does to the effect of Body of Research.
I would guess that the fractal gets the counters on arrival and therefore doesn't trigger Ezuri.
See also this thread.
Kasmina, Enigma Sage
Former Rules Advisor
"Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge
(The Gamers: Dorkness Rising)
"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science."
(Girl Genius - Fairy Tale Theater Break - Cinderella, end of volume 8)