Delve
| Delve | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:MTGA Delve.png}}|70x70px]] | |
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Static |
| Introduced | Future Sight |
| Last used | Lord of the Rings Holiday Release |
| Reminder Text |
Delve (Each card you exile from your graveyard while casting this spell pays for  .) |
| Storm Scale | 8[1] |
| Statistics |
27 cards  37%  48.1%  3.7%  7.4%  3.7% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Delve" | |
Delve is an keyword ability, introduced in Future Sight. Delve is a static ability that functions while the spell with delve is on the stack. “Delve” means “For each generic mana in this spell’s total cost, you may exile a card from your graveyard rather than pay that mana.”
History
In Future Sight, delve was only printed on three timeshifted cards and was a cost reduction. It was re-introduced as the clan specific mechanic for the Sultai Brood in Khans of Tarkir[2][3] and Fate Reforged.[4] It also appeared in Modern Horizons[5] and Commander 2020.
As with many cost reduction mechanics, several Delve cards were banned in various formats. While the development aspect may theoretically be solvable, the anti-linearity and environmental requirements has rendered it high on the Storm Scale.
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Delve
- A keyword ability that lets you exile cards from your graveyard rather than pay generic mana to cast a spell. See rule 702.66, “Delve.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.66. Delve
- 702.66a Delve is a static ability that functions while the spell with delve is on the stack. “Delve” means “For each generic mana in this spell’s total cost, you may exile a card from your graveyard rather than pay that mana.”
- 702.66b The delve ability isn’t an additional or alternative cost and applies only after the total cost of the spell with delve is determined.
- 702.66c Multiple instances of delve on the same spell are redundant.
Rulings
- The rules for delve have changed slightly since it was last in an expansion. Previously, delve reduced the cost to cast a spell. Under the current rules, you exile cards from your graveyard at the same time you pay the spell’s cost. Exiling a card this way is simply another way to pay that cost. (This is similar to the change made to convoke for the Magic 2015 Core Set.)
- You can’t exile cards to pay for the colored mana requirements of a spell with delve.
- You can’t exile more cards than the generic mana requirement of a spell with delve. For example, you can’t exile more than nine cards from your graveyard to cast Dead Drop.
- Because delve isn’t an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.
Examples
Example
Death Rattle 
Instant
Delve (Each card you exile from your graveyard while casting this spell pays for .)
Destroy target nongreen creature. It can't be regenerated.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 29, 2016). "Storm Scale: Khans of Tarkir Block". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Sam Stoddard (September 5, 2014). "Delving the Pits". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (August 31, 2014). "Mechanics of Khans of Tarkir". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (December 29, 2014). "Mechanics of Fate Reforged". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (May 31, 2019). "Modern Horizons Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
