Thalia vs “Without Paying Mana Cost”
Asked by K4nkato 10 months ago
My opponent controls Thalia, Guardian of Thraben. I resolve Torrential Gearhulk targeting Magma Opus in my graveyard. Do I have to pay 1 mana for Opus because of Thalia or can I ignore the tax because the spell is free?
Gidgetimer says... Accepted answer #1
Short answer: It will cost
Long answer: To determine the cost of a spell or ability you take the mana cost or alternative cost then apply any additional costs or cost increases then cost reductions then apply anything that affects the total cost directly (at this time Trinisphere is the only thing that directly affects total cost). So you will have an alternative cost of 0 mana plus a cost increase of 1 meaning you will need to pay .
601.2f The player determines the total cost of the spell. Usually this is just the mana cost. Some spells have additional or alternative costs. Some effects may increase or reduce the cost to pay, or may provide other alternative costs. Costs may include paying mana, tapping permanents, sacrificing permanents, discarding cards, and so on. The total cost is the mana cost or alternative cost (as determined in rule 601.2b), plus all additional costs and cost increases, and minus all cost reductions. If multiple cost reductions apply, the player may apply them in any order. If the mana component of the total cost is reduced to nothing by cost reduction effects, it is considered to be {0}. It can’t be reduced to less than {0}. Once the total cost is determined, any effects that directly affect the total cost are applied. Then the resulting total cost becomes “locked in.” If effects would change the total cost after this time, they have no effect.
July 22, 2023 4:48 p.m.