How does Zirda work with other cost reduction effects?

Asked by StopShot 2 months ago

Cards: Zirda, the Dawnwaker, Jodah's Codex

With Jodah's Codex if I control five basic land types, its activated ability becomes {0}. Zirda, the Dawnwaker says it can't reduce an activated to less than 1 mana. How does Zirda affect the Codex's ability cost?

1.) I have both cards out and I control three basic land types. Does the Codex cost {0} or {1} to activate its ability?

2.) I have both cards out and I control five basic land types. Does the Codex cost {0} or {1} to activate its ability?

Thanks.

Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #1

For situation #1, you get to choose {0} or {1} (I think I know which one you're going to pick). For situation #2, the cost is {0}.

When you get to the cost-calculating step of casting a spell or activating an ability, first you start with the base cost as determined by any choices you made earlier, then you apply all cost-increasing effects in the order of your choice, then you apply all cost-reducing effects in the order of your choice, then you apply cost-setting effects in the order of your choice (right now Trinisphere is the only example of this last one).

So for #1, you either apply them in the order Codex -> Zirda and get {1} or Zirda -> Codex and get {0}. For #2 you get {0} either way. Zirda's effect will never increase a cost that's already been reduced below {1} some other way.

September 8, 2025 9:32 a.m.