If I play a Kraken Hunter with Cithria on board and spend her buff to reduce the cost, does Cithria get a new buff from Kraken Hunter being played?

Ruling: Yes, you can spend Cithria's buff to reduce Kraken Hunter's cost, and then Cithria will receive a new buff when Kraken Hunter is played.

Sequence:

  • Cithria must already have a buff before you play Kraken Hunter
  • You spend Cithria's buff(s) to reduce Kraken Hunter's power cost
  • Kraken Hunter is played and enters the board
  • Cithria receives a new buff from Kraken Hunter's ability

Nuances:

  • If you want to use Kraken Hunter's Accelerate ability, you must pay the power cost for Accelerate before playing the card
  • You cannot spend the buffs that Cithria gains from Kraken Hunter being played to pay for Accelerate, as the cost must be paid before the card is played
  • The Accelerate decision happens during the process of play, before any triggers go on the Chain