Temper

Instant    (CMC:2)

Prevent up to X damage to target creature. For each 1 damage prevented in this way, put a +1/+1 counter on that creature.

"I don't need a plan, just a goal. The rest will follow on its own." —Gerrard

ST • ENMatthew Wilson

™ & © 1993—1998 Wizards of the Coast

Legal in: Tempest Block,Legacy,Vintage,Commander

Oracle Text (click to copy):

Temper {X}{1}{W} Instant Prevent the next X damage that would be dealt to target creature this turn. For each 1 damage prevented this way, put a +1/+1 counter on that creature.

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View this MTG card on Gatherer

10/4/2004
You can make X be larger than the amount of damage, but you only get one counter for each actual point of damage prevented.
10/4/2004
The +1/+1 counters do show up at the same time as any unprevented damage, which means they are there before you check for lethal damage.

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