What effect does cost reduction have on creatures with X in their cost
General forum
Posted on June 18, 2013, 4:52 a.m. by MartialArt
Some time ago user:Epochalyptic told me in a comment for my deck Nin's torture chamber that [Training Grounds]] reduces Nin, the Pain Artist s X cost.
Now I wondered if something like Cloud Key and Helm of Awakening could be used to reduce the X costs of creatures with X in their cost like Nimbus Swimmer . This way it would get 3 counters for 4 mana for example.
Epochalyptik says... #3
Also, questions like this are best asked in the Q&A.
June 18, 2013 5:34 a.m.
however this also works the OTHER way around as well. IE. Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
June 18, 2013 5:49 a.m.
Are you able to cast a Nimbus Swimmer for 0 if you have a cloud key out?
June 18, 2013 6:48 a.m.
How does this translate to Jace, Architect of Thought 's last ability?
" -8 : For each player, search that player's library for a nonland card and exile it, then that player shuffles his or her library. You may cast those cards without paying their mana costs."
Would it be possible to cast Nimbus Swimmer with 100 +1/+1 counters on it?
Would it be possible to cast Rakdos's Return for 35 damage?
I believe a friend of mine found the answer to be "yes", but I have a faulty memory.
June 18, 2013 6:54 a.m.
Answer to my question was found on the Gatherer.
"If a card has X in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as its value."
Simple enough.
June 18, 2013 6:55 a.m.
MartialArt says... #9
Thanks for the answer.
@ seevers35: If you cast something without paying it's mana cost any X in it's cost is automatically valued as 0.
Epochalyptik says... #2
It works. Note that you need to announce what X is before you make the payment for the spell or ability, so you first decide what X is. You then calculate and pay the cost (minus any reductions).
June 18, 2013 5:34 a.m.