Xathrid Gorgon — ruling 1

Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.

Xathrid Gorgon — ruling 2

The effects of Xathrid Gorgon’s ability don’t depend on the petrification counter. If that counter is removed, the creature remains a colorless artifact with defender, and so on.

Xathrid Gorgon : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Xathrid Gorgon 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.) , : Put a petrification counter on target creature. It gains defender and becomes a colorless artifact in addition to its other types. Its activated abilities can't be activated. (A creature with defender can't attack.)

How it works : Xathrid Gorgon

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 8, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
Activated abilities contain a colon. They’re generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 1, 2012· Wizards of the Coast
The effects of Xathrid Gorgon’s ability don’t depend on the petrification counter. If that counter is removed, the creature remains a colorless artifact with defender, and so on.
No other card is named in this ruling.