Rhox Pummeler — ruling 1

Combat damage is assigned to creatures and players and then dealt simultaneously. Notably, this means blocking a Rhox Pummeler with a shield counter on it won't normally prevent Rhox Pummeler from dealing damage to the defending player due to its trample ability.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 2

If an attacking Rhox Pummeler with one shield counter on it is blocked by a creature with first strike, the shield counter will be removed in the first combat damage step. In that case, Rhox Pummeler won't have trample when it deals combat damage in the second combat damage step.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 3

Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 4

Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 5

If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 6

If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 7

A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch.

Rhox Pummeler — ruling 8

"Shield" is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal.

Rhox Pummeler : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Rhox Pummeler 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

This creature enters with a shield counter on it. (If it would be dealt damage or destroyed, remove a shield counter from it instead.) This creature has trample as long as it has a shield counter on it.

How it works : Rhox Pummeler

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Combat damage is assigned to creatures and players and then dealt simultaneously. Notably, this means blocking a Rhox Pummeler with a shield counter on it won't normally prevent Rhox Pummeler from dealing damage to the defending player due to its trample ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If an attacking Rhox Pummeler with one shield counter on it is blocked by a creature with first strike, the shield counter will be removed in the first combat damage step. In that case, Rhox Pummeler won't have trample when it deals combat damage in the second combat damage step.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8April 29, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
"Shield" is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal.
No other card is named in this ruling.