Engineered Plague vs cip effects

[Raph Caron]

Does my opponent get to use Goblin Recruiter's ability (fetching Goblins) if I have Engineered Plage (set to Goblins) in play?

Thanks!

[Jebus]

Yes.

The Goblin will come into play, triggering its ability.  At the same time, as soon as it comes into play, it is affected by the Plage.  Then state-based effects are checked, which will remove the goblin from play for having zero toughness.  Then its triggered ability will actually go on the stack.  It will then resolve as normal.

[Matt]

I always think about it like this: it's gotta be in play to get -1/-1. Therefore, if it gets -1/-1, it was in play. And if it was in play, then at some point it CAME INTO play, so it triggers.

[Raph Caron]

Exactly what I thought. Thanks to both of you!