Mana value: Difference between revisions

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>Tuamir
(Obsolete terminology)
>Arseniccatnip
(→‎Cost matters: I disagree with Haktos being an example of "cost matters" because he doesn't give any bonuses for playing high mana value cards. Haktos is the same kind of thing as Gaddock Teeg and I think they could belong together in their own section, but not this section.)
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:Scryfall search: {{Scryfall search|mana value|oracle|add=set:SCG}}
:Scryfall search: {{Scryfall search|mana value|oracle|add=set:SCG}}


"Cost matters" was a theme in ''[[Scourge]]'' that encouraged players to use spells with high mana values. In addition to providing numerous creatures and other spells with mana values 6 or greater, several cards were printed that enhanced or facilitated them. This theme returned as the green-blue mechanic in ''[[Commander Legends]]'' and as the [[Prismari]] mechanic in ''[[Strixhaven: School of Mages]]''. Outside these sets, only <c>Haktos the Unscarred</c> from [[Theros Beyond Death]] has protection from mana values based on the dice roll result.
"Cost matters" was a theme in ''[[Scourge]]'' that encouraged players to use spells with high mana values. In addition to providing numerous creatures and other spells with mana values 6 or greater, several cards were printed that enhanced or facilitated them. This theme returned as the green-blue mechanic in ''[[Commander Legends]]'' and as the [[Prismari]] mechanic in ''[[Strixhaven: School of Mages]]''.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:40, 23 April 2021

The mana value of an object is a number that determines the total amount of mana in its mana cost.

History

"Mana value" was originally known as "casting cost" or "total casting cost" prior to Sixth Edition. With the Sixth Edition rules changes, "casting cost" became "converted mana cost" (or "CMC" for short). The term "mana value" was introduced in Strixhaven: School of Mages.[1][2] Thereafter, all cards prior to this set, have their oracle text updated to reflect this change.[3]

Rules

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Mana Value
The total amount of mana in a mana cost, regardless of color. See rule 202.3.

The mana value of an object is an integer and is always greater than or equal to zero. Mana value is determined by converting the symbols of the card or spell's mana cost into numbers and calculating the sum of those numbers. Mana symbols represented by a number, including monocolored hybrid mana symbols ({2/W}{2/U}{2/B}{2/R}{2/G}), are converted into that number. All other mana symbols are converted into 1. Cards without a mana cost, such as lands, have a mana value of 0.

The only case in which a spell's mana value can ever vary is for spells with {X} in the mana cost. When an object with X in the mana cost is on the stack, X equals whatever value was chosen for it when it was put on the stack. In any other zone, X equals 0.

Examples:

  • Spells with mana costs of {S} and {1} each have a mana value of 1.
  • Spells with mana costs of {2}{G} and {1}{G}{G} each have a mana value of 3.
  • Spells with mana costs of {4}{C} and {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} each have a mana value of 5.

Odd or even mana cost

Some cards care about if the mana value is odd or even.

^* Features the reminder text: zero is even.

Cost matters

Scryfall search: oracle:"mana value"

"Cost matters" was a theme in Scourge that encouraged players to use spells with high mana values. In addition to providing numerous creatures and other spells with mana values 6 or greater, several cards were printed that enhanced or facilitated them. This theme returned as the green-blue mechanic in Commander Legends and as the Prismari mechanic in Strixhaven: School of Mages.

References

Obsolete terminology

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)

Converted Mana Cost (Obsolete)
An obsolete term for mana value. Cards printed with this term have received errata in the Oracle card reference.