Rulings

• 2006-09-25
  If the triggered ability doesn’t resolve (the targeted spell becomes an illegal target, for example), Draining Whelk doesn’t get any +1/+1 counters.
• 2006-10-15
  If the triggered ability doesn’t counter the spell (if it is, for example, uncounterable), Draining Whelk still gets the counters.
• 2021-03-19
  For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell’s converted mana cost.
• 2021-03-19
  Draining Whelk’s ability counters the target spell even if you can’t put counters on Draining Whelk, most likely because Draining Whelk left the battlefield before the ability resolved.
• 2021-03-19
  If the target spell is an illegal target by the time Draining Whelk’s ability tries to resolve, the spell doesn’t resolve. You don’t put any counters on Draining Whelk. If the target is legal but the spell can’t be countered, you do put counters on Draining Whelk.