Jotun Grunt and Smokestack

[dawgie]

It is now my turn and I have Jotun Grunt with two counters (this turn will be three) and my opponent has a Smokestack and two soot counters on it.

Following APNAP, the trigger for Cumulative upkeep goes on the stack first, then the ability of Smokestack goes on top it. I am now forced to sacrifice Jotun Grunt to Smokestack.

My question is, can I still return cards from a graveyard to the bottom of a library even the Grunt is not in play anymore? If so, how many?

Thank you for your help.

[OfficeShredder]

I would say you don't put any cards on the bottom of libraries.  You sacrifice jotun grunt, then its ability resolves.  For the resolution of the ability, first you put an age counter on jotun grunt.  Ok, no effect.   Then, for each age counter on jotun grunt (of which there are none), you put two cards on the bottom of a library.

[Anusien]

Actually you're wrong.  When Jotun Grunt's ability resolves, it gives you the choice: Pay or not pay.  If you choose not to pay, no effect.  If you choose to pay, you will have to put two cards in a single graveyard on the bottom of that library for each age counter.  In this case, the game will use Last-Known Information, look back to see 2 counters, and you'll have to put 4 cards back.