How does Goblin Electromancer work with Replicate?
Asked by scionmastery 9 years ago
I was wondering how Goblin Electromancer's ability to reduce the cost of instants and sorceries would work with the original Izzet mechanic, Replicate. Does it reduce the cost for all or just the first? If it's just the first, does having 2 do nothing if the card only costs one generic mana?
Since I'm assumed it might be easier if I post an example card for replicate here's the specific card I'm thinking of;Train of Thought
AllAroundGeek says... #2
No, you are not casting the spell again, you are paying an extra cost, which is added to its normal cost. So Goblin Electromancer would reduce the casting cost(original + relicate) by one. So if you replicated Train of Thought three times, instead of paying 4BBBB, you would pay 3BBBB
December 10, 2014 3:30 p.m.
Not contradicting what above posters said about the interaction, just noting that B indicates black mana, not blue. U is the letter symbol for blue mana.
December 10, 2014 4:29 p.m.
scionmastery says... #4
So if you have two Goblin Electromancer and replicate once, since it's added to the cost, Does It reduce by 2 making the cost UU
December 10, 2014 5:35 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #5
Regarding post #4: yes.
When you calculate the final cost to cast a spell, you use a formula:
Cost = [mana cost OR alternate cost] + [additional and increased costs] - [cost reductions]
December 10, 2014 8:13 p.m.
Isn't the replicate an ability that must be paid in full? Because you're paying to copy the spell and not casting another spell, I would think that you would pay U for Train of Thought and after replicating 1 time it would copy it and cost paid would be 1UU, right?
December 10, 2014 9:25 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #7
@Enyeto: Replicate is an additional cost to cast the spell. It's like kicker. Cost reductions apply.
December 10, 2014 9:41 p.m.
Right, I understand that part of it but the reduction would only apply 1 time and not be additionally applied for each time its replicate was paid, if I am understanding the "whole" correctly.
December 11, 2014 12:40 p.m.
scionmastery says... #9
Basically, if I'm understanding this correctly, what Epochalyptic is answering is What happens when there's two electromancers under my control?
In that case, the cost for the replication would be added to the cost for the spell before the electromancers have a chance to reduce it. Therefore, before the spell is cast it technically costs 2UU, but after the it costs UU due to the two electromancers reducing it by 1 a piece.
You answered my question pretty well. I was wondering if the cost worked like kicker costs or if each was considered a separate spell though I don't think I phrased it well. Thank you all.
December 12, 2014 4:06 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #10
@Enyeto: The followup scenario involved two Goblin Electromancers. Each one's effect applies once to the cost of the single spell (counting replications).
BlueScope says... #1
You're not casting the copies created with Replicate, so Goblin Electromancer doesn't affect them. You will ger the cost reduction on the original, non-copied spell, though.
December 10, 2014 3:29 p.m.