ability.addCost(new TapSourceCost());
ability.addCost(new PayLifeCost(1));
this.addAbility(ability);
// {2}{B}, {T}, Remove X +1/+1 counters from Cruel Sadist: Cruel Sadist deals X damage to target creature.
Effect effect = new DamageTargetEffect(new RemovedCountersForCostValue());
effect.setText("{this} deals X damage to target creature");
ability = new SimpleActivatedAbility(Zone.BATTLEFIELD, effect, new ManaCostsImpl("{2}{B}"));
ability.addCost(new TapSourceCost());
ability.addCost(new RemoveVariableCountersSourceCost(CounterType.P1P1.createInstance()));
ability.addTarget(new TargetCreaturePermanent());