Pharika's Disciple — ruling 1

Renown won’t trigger when a creature deals combat damage to a planeswalker or another creature. It also won’t trigger when a creature deals noncombat damage to a player.

Pharika's Disciple — ruling 2

If a creature with renown deals combat damage to its controller because that damage was redirected, renown will trigger.

Pharika's Disciple — ruling 3

If a renown ability triggers, but the creature leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, the creature doesn’t become renowned. Any ability that triggers “whenever a creature becomes renowned” won’t trigger.

Pharika's Disciple : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Pharika's Disciple is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.) Renown 1 (When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn't renowned, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes renowned.)

How it works : Pharika's Disciple

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
Renown won’t trigger when a creature deals combat damage to a planeswalker or another creature. It also won’t trigger when a creature deals noncombat damage to a player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with renown deals combat damage to its controller because that damage was redirected, renown will trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 22, 2015· Wizards of the Coast
If a renown ability triggers, but the creature leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, the creature doesn’t become renowned. Any ability that triggers “whenever a creature becomes renowned” won’t trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.