If Walking Ballista has 2 +1/+1 counters on it, then takes 1 point of damage, can they remove both counters to deal both damage or does it die as soon as it uses up one counter?
The Ballista will only be able to activate its ability once. Right after the activation has been paid for and the ability becomes activated, state based actions are checked, see the Ballista with lethal damage marked, and destroy it. Its controller never gets the chance to activate it again.
I do think it’s relevant to point out that they can remove both counters in response to whatever would be dealing the 1 damage. This wouldn’t work if it was combat damage and the player with the Ballista let his 2 combat damage go through, but in the case of something like Rain of Embers, the player with the Ballista can remove both counters before the damage resolves.
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