Mana value
The mana value of an object is a number determined by 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]
Description
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 which contain a number, including monocolored hybrid mana symbols (
), 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 
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
and 
each have a mana value of 1. - Spells with mana costs of
and each have a mana value of 3. - Spells with mana costs of
and 
each have a mana value of 5.
Special mana values
Cards with multiple sets of playable characteristics may have different mana values in different zones, depending how they were cast or played. Tokens and copies may also have confusing mana values.
The following table shows which number or attribute of a card the mana value is based on, for selected special kinds of objects on the battlefield, stack, and other zones:
| Object quality | Battlefield | Stack | Other zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mana cost | Value is 0 | Value is 0 | Value is 0 |
| Cast using an alternate cost, additional cost or other cost modification | Original unmodified mana cost | Original unmodified mana cost | N/A |
| Cost contains |
X counts as 0 | X counts as value chosen when cast | X counts as 0 |
| Split card | N/A | Whichever side was cast | Sum of the sides |
| Sum of the sides if cast fused | |||
| Adventure card | Creature (primary card) | Whichever version was cast | Creature (primary card) |
| Prototype card | Whichever version was cast | Whichever version was cast | Primary card |
| Primary card, if not cast | |||
| Modal double-faced card (MDFC) | Whichever face is up | Whichever face was cast | Front face |
| Back side of transforming double-faced card (DFC) | Front face | Front face | N/A |
| Melded permanent | Sum of front faces of both components | N/A | N/A |
| Token that is not a copy | Value is 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Face-down | Value is 0 | Value is 0 | N/A |
Tokens and face-down objects have mana value 0 simply because they have no mana cost. Note that a face-down object could turn face-up, at which point it would have its regular attributes rather than mana value 0.
The following table shows which number or attribute determines the mana value of an object that is a copy of another object. These rules apply regardless of whether a permanent copy is a token or a non-token card. Generally, if the mana cost is able to be copied, the mana value is copied also. If the mana value cannot be copied, the mana value of the copy is 0; these are marked with a * below.
| Copy of... | Battlefield | Stack |
|---|---|---|
| Split, Adventure, Prototype, or MDFC | Same as whichever version of original was copied | Same as whichever version of original was cast |
| Spell or permanent with in cost |
X counts as 0 | X counts as value chosen when original spell was cast |
| Back side of transforming DFC, or melded permanent* | Value is 0 | Value is 0 |
| Token copy of an object, or copy of a spell | Same as original, unless mana cost could not be copied | Same as original, unless mana cost could not be copied |
| Face-down object* | Value is 0 | Value is 0 |
Note that a copy of a face-down object cannot turn face-up to regain the original mana value - it will have value 0 regardless of whether the copying object is face-up or face-down. Neither can a copy of a DFC back face or melded permanent transform to acquire a non-zero mana value, regardless of whether the copying object is itself a DFC, melded, or transformed.
Hypothetically, while designed-for-digital cards could manipulate the mana cost or value of itself or other spells, only Specialize has done so: once Specialized, those cards gain a mana symbol perpetually which affects their mana value and color.
Related mechanics
Several classes of abilities check mana values of cards to determine their effects, most notably when this concept is a theme in a set.
Odd or even mana value
Some cards care about if the mana value is odd or even.
- Ashling's Prerogative (Lorwyn)*
- Void Winnower (Battle for Zendikar)*
- Extinction Event (Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths)*
- Gyruda, Doom of Depths (Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths)
- Lavabrink Venturer (Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths)*
- Obosh, the Preypiercer (Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths)
- Soundwave, Superior Captain (Transformers)
- Desecrate Reality (Commander Masters)*
- Herald of Discord (Modern Horizons 3)
^* 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.
Friendly to low mana value cards
White is the color that most positively interacts with low mana value (anywhere from mana value 3 or less) cards. It can search the library for them and get them back from the graveyard, among other positive interactions.[4]
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.
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 202.3. The mana value of an object is a number equal to the total amount of mana in its mana cost, regardless of color.
Example: A mana cost of {3}{U}{U} translates to a mana value of 5.
- 202.3a The mana value of an object with no mana cost is 0, unless that object is the back face of a transforming double-faced permanent or is a melded permanent.
- 202.3b The mana value of a transforming double-faced permanent or spell’s back face is calculated as though it had the mana cost of its front face. If a permanent or spell is a copy of the back face of a transforming double-faced card (even if the card representing that copy is itself a double-faced card), the mana value of the copy is 0.
Example: Huntmaster of the Fells is a transforming double-faced card with mana cost {2}{R}{G}. Its mana value is 4. After it transforms to its other face (Ravager of the Fells), its mana value remains 4.
Example: A Clone enters the battlefield as a copy of Ravager of the Fells. Its mana value is 0.
Example: Insectile Aberration is the back face of a transforming double-faced card whose front face has mana cost {U}. It becomes a copy of Ravager of the Fells. Its mana value becomes 0.
- 202.3c The mana value of a melded permanent is calculated as though it had the combined mana cost of the front faces of each card that represents it. If a permanent is a copy of a melded permanent (even if that copy is represented by two other meld cards), the mana value of the copy is 0.
- 202.3d The mana value of a split card not on the stack or of a fused split spell on the stack is determined from the combined mana costs of its halves. Otherwise, while a split card is on the stack, the mana value of the spell is determined by the mana cost of the half that was chosen to be cast. See rule 709, “Split Cards.”
- 202.3e When calculating the mana value of an object with an {X} in its mana cost, X is treated as 0 while the object is not on the stack, and X is treated as the number chosen for it while the object is on the stack.
- 202.3f When calculating the mana value of an object with a hybrid mana symbol in its mana cost, use the largest component of each hybrid symbol.
Example: The mana value of a card with mana cost {1}{W/U}{W/U} is 3.
Example: The mana value of a card with mana cost {2/B}{2/B}{2/B} is 6.
- 202.3g Each Phyrexian mana symbol in a card’s mana cost contributes 1 to its mana value.
Example: The mana value of a card with mana cost {1}{W/P}{W/P} is 3.
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.
References
- ↑ Blake Rasmussen (February 18, 2021). "The First Lesson: Introduction to Strixhaven". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic Esports (February 18, 2021). "A small update in MTGStrixhaven". Twitter.
- ↑ Jess Dunks and Matt Tabak (April 16, 2021). "Strixhaven: School of Mages and Commander (2021 Edition) Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2021). "Mechanical Color Pie 2021 Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.