Polukranos, World Eater & Heartstone
Asked by HedronArchivist 8 years ago
What kind of interaction will Heartstone have with Polukranos, World Eater activated ability?
HedronArchivist says... #2
For example if I pay 6 mana altogether Would he get 3 +1/+1 Counters or does heartstone reduce it so I only have to pay normal X amount instead of XX?
December 17, 2015 8:57 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #3
When you cast a spell or activate an ability with 
in its cost, you first announce the value of X. The amount you pay is then based on that declaration, not the other way around.
Heartstone reduces the cost you pay by 
. Cards do exactly what they say. So if you announce that X equals 3, you pay 
. (Two instances of mean you pay that amount two times.)
December 17, 2015 9:09 p.m.
HedronArchivist says... #4
So if I call =4 when I activate his ability, Heartstone reduces it by 
so all I have to pay is and he gets 4 +1/+1 Counters?
December 17, 2015 9:29 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
Mistyped on mobile. Reduces by . It doesn't apply to each instance of X; it applies once to the total cost and that's it.
December 17, 2015 9:36 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #8
You get a cost reduction to the overall cost. So with X=4, you'd normally pay 
. With Heartstone you'd pay 
.
December 17, 2015 9:39 p.m.
HedronArchivist says... #9
ok that makes sense now lols thats what i was trying to figure out in the firstplace. So if I call =4 when I activate his ability, Heartstone reduces it by so all I have to pay is and he should get 4 +1/+1 Counters?
December 17, 2015 9:42 p.m.
To add a bit of nitpicking here because you wrote =4 - keep in mind that there's a difference between X and . X is the variable, while is the mana you actually have to pay (which is exactly what's relevant here).
Cost reductions such as Heartstone's lower the cost, but not the value of X. That is why with X=3, you will put 3 counters on it, regardless of any cost increases or reductions - those only affect what you have to pay to activate the effect.
HedronArchivist says... #1
I'm confused about the duel cost.
December 17, 2015 8:52 p.m.