The layer system (CR 613) governs how continuous effects interact. Effects that modify power and toughness are handled in Layer 7, which is divided into sublayers: 7a (characteristic-defining abilities like */*), 7b (effects that set power/toughness to a specific value), 7c (effects that modify power/toughness by a specific amount, such as +1/+1), and 7d (counters).
A global enchantment that gives all creatures +1/+1 — like a static ability reading 'all creatures get +1/+1' — applies in Layer 7c (CR 613.4c). A static ability that sets a creature's power to a specific number, such as 'target creature's power becomes 2,' applies in Layer 7b (CR 613.4b). These are explicitly different sublayers.
Because Layer 7b is applied before Layer 7c, the set-value effect is applied first, and then the +1/+1 bonus is added on top. For example: if an effect sets a creature's power to 2 (Layer 7b) and an enchantment gives all creatures +1/+1 (Layer 7c), the creature ends up with power 3 and toughness increased by 1, regardless of its original stats.
This ordering is not dependent on timestamp or dependency rules when the effects occupy different sublayers — sublayer order is always fixed by the rules (CR 613.3). The +1/+1 from the enchantment will always be added after the set-value effect, so both effects apply but in strict sequential sublayer order.
Unofficial fan resource — not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Answers are AI-generated estimates grounded in the Comprehensive Rules and are not a substitute for an official judge. Verify anything match-critical.