Frostweb Spider Rulings Magic

[Warrior]

Frostweb Spider says:

Frostweb Spider
2g
Snow Creature -- Spider
Frostweb Spider can block as though it had flying.
Whenever Frostweb Spider blocks a creature with flying, put a +1/+1 counter on Frostweb Spider at end of combat.
1/3

So lets say the Frost web spider blocks a Sewn-Eye Drake (3/1 creature with flying)

Does the frostweb spider live or die? It says the counter comes in end of combat will that prevent the frostweb spider from going to graveyard or is that too late?

[Kappu1]

It's to late because his toughness has already reached zero in which case the last step of you putting the counter on him can't happen because he is dead

[seba1983]

almost correct. the spider does die yes. but not because its toughness reaches 0. rather because it has taken leathal damage (an amount of damage equal or greater to its toughness). the toughness remains at 3 all the time.

by the time it would recive its counter however the spider will already be in your graveyard.

[Kappu1]

Thanks for going more in depth Seba always nice to get a better point of view!

[Galaxy]

but isnt it true that if after he takes the damage i play a card such as giant growth and the frostweb spider doesnt die, and if so then whats the difference between that and getting the counter

[seba1983]

if the damage has already resolved you cant save it with a giant growth.

lets say smeone plays a lightning bolt on the spider. at that point the spider has not taken damage as the bolt has not yet resolved. in that case you can play the giant growth to save the spider as it will resolve befor the bolt. the spider will then be a 4/6 at the time it actualy recives the three damage.