The Thing, Ben Grimm 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

Trample Whenever one or more Heroes you control deal damage to a player, put two +1/+1 counters on The Thing.

Complete guide

The Thing, Ben Grimm is a powerhouse creature that embodies the spirit of team-up mechanics. As a Legendary Human Hero with Trample, he grows stronger every time your team of Heroes manages to strike your opponents directly.

Scaling Power with Heroes

The Thing's primary ability is a triggered ability that watches for combat or non-combat damage dealt to a player by one or more Heroes you control. It is important to note that the trigger checks for the 'Hero' creature type. Even if multiple Heroes deal damage at the exact same moment—such as during the combat damage step—the ability only triggers once, providing two +1/+1 counters.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, your Heroes must successfully deal damage to a player. Once that damage is dealt, The Thing's ability is placed on the stack. When the ability resolves, you place two +1/+1 counters on The Thing. Because he has Trample, these counters help ensure that his own future attacks are even more likely to deal damage to the player, potentially triggering his ability again if he is also a Hero.

Common Mistakes

Players often assume that three Heroes dealing damage would result in six counters. However, the text specifies 'one or more,' meaning a single combat phase where multiple Heroes connect will still only result in one trigger (two counters). Additionally, remember that The Thing is a Hero himself, so his own damage to a player will trigger the ability.

Strategic Timing

The Thing is best played in a deck focused on aggressive creature types. Since he costs six mana, you want to ensure you have other Heroes already on the board ready to attack the moment he enters or shortly after, maximizing the value of his growth trigger.

Interaction examples

Solo Growth

If The Thing, Ben Grimm attacks alone and is not blocked, his Trample allows him to deal damage to the player. Since he is a Hero, his own ability triggers, and he receives two +1/+1 counters after the damage is dealt.

Resource Management

Seedborn Muse

While Seedborn Muse allows you to untap The Thing, Ben Grimm on every opponent's turn, it does not provide additional Hero triggers unless you have a way to deal damage to a player on their turn. Seedborn Muse ensures The Thing is always available to block after he has grown from his own attacking triggers.

Token Synergy Limits

Avenger of Zendikar

If Avenger of Zendikar creates Plant tokens, those Plants will not trigger The Thing's ability when they deal damage because they are not Heroes. Even if you grow the Plants with Landfall, The Thing only cares about creatures with the Hero subtype dealing damage to a player.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.