Chroma

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Chroma
Ability Word
Introduced Eventide
Last used Eventide
Typical Text Chroma — … for each … mana symbol in those cards' mana costs.
Storm Scale 10[1]
Statistics
9 cards
{W} 22.2% {U} 11.1% {B} 11.1% {R} 33.3% {G} 22.2%
Scryfall Search
keyword:"Chroma"

Chroma is an ability word first introduced in Eventide.[2][3][4]

Description

Cards with chroma require a count of the number of specific colored mana symbols on cards. This mechanic was first seen on Phosphorescent Feast in Future Sight, but first named in Eventide which also saw a reprint of that card.[5]

Chroma was tweaked and reintroduced in the Theros block as devotion, where it limits the counting to permanents.[6] A version of Chroma without the ability word that references the stack appeared on Managorger Phoenix.

Rulings

  • Different chroma abilities have different effects and check different sets of cards or permanents. Read each card carefully.
  • Chroma abilities check only mana costs, which are found in a card's upper right corner. They don't count mana symbols that appear in a card's text box.
  • Chroma abilities count hybrid mana symbols of the appropriate color. For example, a card with mana cost {3}{U/R}{U/R} has two red mana symbols in its mana cost.
  • Many chroma abilities check a set of permanents that includes the one with the chroma ability. For example, Heartlash Cinder's chroma ability includes itself, so it'll get at least +1/+0. Similarly, Primalcrux (a {G}{G}{G}{G}{G}{G} creature with power and toughness each equal to the number of green mana symbols in the mana costs of permanents you control) will be at least 6/6 while it's in play.
  • Copy effects, such as Spitting Image and Clone, copy a permanent's mana cost (and all the mana symbols therein). A token that's a copy of a permanent will copy that permanent's mana cost, if that permanent has one, and will be counted for chroma abilities.

Examples

Example

Light from Within {2}{W}{W}
Enchantment
Chroma — Each creature you control gets +1/+1 for each white mana symbol in its mana cost.

Trivia

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (2014-08-27). "Now that Devotion has been declared a success what's the...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Kelly Digges (July 1, 2008). "The Crux of the Matter". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (July 7, 2008). "Eventide Pool". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Devin Low (July 4, 2008). "When Mana Symbols Attack". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Mark Rosewater (May 17, 2021). "Future Sight Design Handoff Document". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Mark Rosewater (November 24, 2014). "Top 8 and a Half Tales". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links