Shang-Chi, Martial Mentor

Shang-Chi is a 5cmc 4/4 with a Doubling Season-style replacement effect for +1/+1 counters (all such placements are doubled), making him a signature inclusion in any +1/+1 counters or counters-voltron shell. The power-up ability is a one-time, expensive self-buff (six counters after doubling) that is best used the turn he enters to halve the cost down to {5}{G}{G} → {3}. He's a powerful engine in green counters decks but competes with Doubling Season and Hardened Scales at this slot in Commander.

• Shang-Chi's replacement effect doubles ALL +1/+1 counter placements on your creatures, not just on himself — this stacks with Hardened Scales (which adds 1 extra) but does NOT multiply with Doubling Season (both are replacement effects; only one applies per event, chosen by the controller).

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• The power-up cost reduction applies only if Shang-Chi entered the battlefield THIS turn, effectively making the power-up a {5}{G}{G} → reduced by {3}{G}{G} = {2} activation on his entry turn, netting six counters (tripled by doubling) on a haste-free body — still a hefty investment.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• Because his counter-doubling is a replacement effect rather than a triggered ability, it cannot be countered by stifle effects and applies even under Torpor Orb.

  tagging · claude-sonnet-4-6

• EDHREC rank: #28,845