Can I play Fate Transfer in a Skullbriar, the Walking Grave commander deck

Asked by Omnigore 3 years ago

Wasn’t sure if I could because Fate Transfer has a Dimir Symbol and not a black mana symbol

Tylord2894 says... #1

You can not play Fate Transfer in a Skullbriar, the Walking Grave deck. The color identity of Fate Transfer is both and , which doesn't align with Skullbriar's color identity. A hybrid mana symbol adds both colors to a card color identity. The notable "exceptions" to this are cards with extort like Crypt Ghast. The hybrid mana symbol is in the reminder text, so I doesn't count.

Hope this helps!!

May 5, 2020 9:33 a.m.

Omnigore says... #2

Thank you that did help very much

May 5, 2020 11:18 a.m.

Kogarashi says... Accepted answer #3

For future reference, the color identity of a card is determined by:

  • All mana symbols in its casting cost (including both halves of a hybrid mana symbol)
  • All mana symbols in its rules text (but not reminder text)
  • Any color-defining text in the rules text
  • Any color indicator on the type line (such as on the reverse face of a double-faced card)

So, per each:

  • Fate Transfer has a hybrid mana symbol. Both halves count, so it is both blue and black.
  • Bosh, Iron Golem has a red mana symbol in its rules text, so it has a red identity. Crypt Ghast's Orzhov symbol is in reminder text, so it doesn't count, and the Ghast is only black.
  • Older printings of Ancestral Vision contain the text "Ancestral Vision is blue." This sets the color identity even though there are no blue mana symbols on the card. It's important to note that Devoid ("this card is colorless") does not apply in this case, as Devoid cards still have mana symbols that inform their color identity.
  • Newer printings of Ancestral Vision have a color indicator on the type line (the blue circle). This sets the color even though there are still no blue mana symbols, and the "(This spell) is blue" text has been removed. These indicators are on the reverse of double-faced cards, so while Archangel Avacyn  Flip is white, its reverse, Avacyn, the Purifier, is red, making the card's identity red/white. This one trips up the most people, it seems.
May 5, 2020 11:58 a.m.

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