Thunder Brute — ruling 1

For effects that check which player put counters on the entering creature, the player chosen to pay tribute puts those counters on it, not the creature’s controller.

Thunder Brute — ruling 2

If the opponent pays tribute, the creature will enter the battlefield with the specified number of +1/+1 counters on it. It won’t enter the battlefield and then have the +1/+1 counters placed on it.

Thunder Brute — ruling 3

The choice of whether to pay tribute is made as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late to respond to the creature spell. For example, in a multiplayer game, opponents won’t know whether tribute will be paid or which opponent will be chosen to pay tribute or not when deciding whether to counter the creature spell.

Thunder Brute — ruling 4

If the triggered ability has a target, that target will not be known while the creature spell with tribute is on the stack.

Thunder Brute — ruling 5

Players can’t respond to the tribute decision before the creature enters the battlefield. That is, if the opponent doesn’t pay tribute, the triggered ability will trigger before any player has a chance to remove the creature.

Thunder Brute — ruling 6

The triggered ability will resolve even if the creature with tribute isn’t on the battlefield at that time.

Thunder Brute : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Thunder Brute 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 Tribute 3 (As this creature enters, an opponent of your choice may put three +1/+1 counters on it.) When this creature enters, if tribute wasn't paid, it gains haste until end of turn.

How it works : Thunder Brute

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
For effects that check which player put counters on the entering creature, the player chosen to pay tribute puts those counters on it, not the creature’s controller.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 1, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
If the opponent pays tribute, the creature will enter the battlefield with the specified number of +1/+1 counters on it. It won’t enter the battlefield and then have the +1/+1 counters placed on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 1, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
The choice of whether to pay tribute is made as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late to respond to the creature spell. For example, in a multiplayer game, opponents won’t know whether tribute will be paid or which opponent will be chosen to pay tribute or not when deciding whether to counter the creature spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4February 1, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
If the triggered ability has a target, that target will not be known while the creature spell with tribute is on the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5February 1, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
Players can’t respond to the tribute decision before the creature enters the battlefield. That is, if the opponent doesn’t pay tribute, the triggered ability will trigger before any player has a chance to remove the creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6February 1, 2014· Wizards of the Coast
The triggered ability will resolve even if the creature with tribute isn’t on the battlefield at that time.
No other card is named in this ruling.