Maybe point him to the following section of the CR:
601.2h Once the steps described in 601.2a–g are completed, the spell becomes cast. Any abilities that trigger when a spell is cast or put onto the stack trigger at this time. If the spell's controller had priority before casting it, he or she gets priority.
So you cast your Ordeal, it goes on the stack, then the Phalanx Leader ability triggers and goes on the stack, and when all this is done you still have priority. Only after you pass priority can your opponent cast his Downfall, at which point your PL trigger is already on the stack. His Downfall resolves, killing your PL. The Leader's triggered ability goes off, putting a +1/+1 counter on your remaining creatures. Lastly, the Ordeal fizzles due to lack of a legal target.
edit: Oh, if the issue is that he thinks your Leader's trigger won't resolve because your creature is no longer on the battlefield, show him this:
603.3. Once an ability has triggered, its controller puts it on the stack as an object that's not a card the next time a player would receive priority. See rule 116, "Timing and Priority." The ability becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics. It remains on the stack until it's countered, it resolves, a rule causes it to be removed from the stack, or an effect moves it elsewhere.
Nothing about the Phalanx Leader dying while the trigger is on the stack causes the trigger to be countered, so it goes ahead and resolves.
You can also point them to Comprehensive Rules 112.7a:
Quote from CR 112.7a »
Once activated or triggered, an ability exists on the stack independently of its source.
Destruction or removal of the source after that time won’t affect the ability. Note that some
abilities cause a source to do something (for example, “Prodigal Pyromancer deals 1 damage to
target creature or player”) rather than the ability doing anything directly. In these cases, any
activated or triggered ability that references information about the source because the effect
needs to be divided checks that information when the ability is put onto the stack. Otherwise, it
will check that information when it resolves. In both instances, if the source is no longer in the
zone it’s expected to be in at that time, its last known information is used. The source can still
perform the action even though it no longer exists.
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This is the scenario:
I control a Phalanx Leader and other 6 creatures
I cast an Ordeal of Thassa targeting my Phalanx Leader
In response to the enchantment my oponent casts a Hero's Downfall targeting the Phalanx Leader
Does my other creatures get the +1/+1 counter from the trigger?
I need the specific ruling and and explanation, otherwise my oponent won't be happy, thanks.
Debt to Deathless WUB
Azorius Walkers WU
Bruna's Conscription WU
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Debt to Deathless WUB
Azorius Walkers WU
Bruna's Conscription WU
My Trade/Sell Webpage:
http://magictrader.weebly.com/
601.2h Once the steps described in 601.2a–g are completed, the spell becomes cast. Any abilities that trigger when a spell is cast or put onto the stack trigger at this time. If the spell's controller had priority before casting it, he or she gets priority.
So you cast your Ordeal, it goes on the stack, then the Phalanx Leader ability triggers and goes on the stack, and when all this is done you still have priority. Only after you pass priority can your opponent cast his Downfall, at which point your PL trigger is already on the stack. His Downfall resolves, killing your PL. The Leader's triggered ability goes off, putting a +1/+1 counter on your remaining creatures. Lastly, the Ordeal fizzles due to lack of a legal target.
edit: Oh, if the issue is that he thinks your Leader's trigger won't resolve because your creature is no longer on the battlefield, show him this:
603.3. Once an ability has triggered, its controller puts it on the stack as an object that's not a card the next time a player would receive priority. See rule 116, "Timing and Priority." The ability becomes the topmost object on the stack. It has the text of the ability that created it, and no other characteristics. It remains on the stack until it's countered, it resolves, a rule causes it to be removed from the stack, or an effect moves it elsewhere.
Nothing about the Phalanx Leader dying while the trigger is on the stack causes the trigger to be countered, so it goes ahead and resolves.