More Than Meets the Eye
| More Than Meets the Eye | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Static |
| Introduced | Transformers |
| Last used | Transformers |
| Reminder Text | More than meets the eye (You may cast this card converted for [cost]) |
| Statistics |
15 cards  13.3%  6.7%  13.3%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  6.7%  26.7% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"More Than Meets the Eye" | |
More Than Meets the Eye is a keyword ability introduced in the Universes Beyond cross-over Transformers set. It allows players to cast the backside of a double-faced card for an alternate cost.[1][2]
Description
More Than Meets the Eye is a way to combine modal double-faced cards with transforming double-faced cards. It is an alternative cost that lets the caster cast the converted side. A keyword was needed, because the rules couldn't handle both.[3]
Mark Rosewater has stated that the mechanic could be explored under a different name in the future.[4]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- More Than Meets the Eye
- A keyword ability that allows some cards to be cast converted. See rule 702.162, “More Than Meets the Eye,” and rule 701.50, “Convert.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.162. More Than Meets the Eye
- 702.162a More Than Meets the Eye represents a static ability that functions in any zone from which the spell may be cast. “More Than Meets the Eye [cost]” means “You may cast this card converted by paying [cost] rather than its mana cost.” Casting a spell using its More Than Meets the Eye ability follows the rules for paying alternative costs (see 601.2b and 601.2f–h). See rule 701.50, “Convert.”
Rulings
- "More Than Meets the Eye [cost]" means "You may cast this card converted by paying [cost] rather than its mana cost." It functions in any zone from which the spell can be cast.[5]
- The cost is an alternative cost, so it can't be combined with any other alternative costs. It can be combined with any applicable additional costs.
- When you cast a spell using its More Than Meets the Eye ability, the card is put onto the stack with its back face up. The resulting spell has all characteristics of that face.
- To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a More Than Meets the Eye cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of a spell cast using More Than Meets the Eye is determined by the mana cost on the front face of the card, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was.
- A spell cast this way enters the battlefield with its back face up.
- If you copy a permanent spell cast this way, the copy has the characteristics of the card's back face, even though it isn't itself a double-faced card.
Example
Example
Starscream, Power Hungry 
Legendary Artifact Creature — Robot
2/3
More Than Meets the Eye 
(You may cast this card converted for )
Flying
Whenever you draw a card, if you’re the monarch, target opponent loses 2 life.
Whenever one or more creatures deal combat damage to you, convert Starscream.
References
- ↑ Hasbro Pulse Con 2022, DAY ONE (Video). Hasbro Pulse. YouTube (September 30, 2022).
- ↑ Matt Tabak (October 27, 2022). "The Brothers' War Mechanics". Magicthegathering.com.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 30, 2022). "So, can the rules just not handle a TDFC that is also a MDFC?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 2, 2022). "Do you think the "More than Meet the Eye" mechanic of the transformers cards could be used in a magic set someday?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Jess Dunks (November 7, 2022). "The Brothers' War Release Notes". Magicthegathering.com.