Reduce vs converted
Deck Help forum
Posted on May 12, 2013, 9:38 p.m. by jesuslovedhumor
I am just trying to make sure I understand this correctly. If I have Gaddock Teeg out and Etherium Sculptor and Cloud Key with artifacts selected I still cannot play That Which Was Taken since its converted mana cost is 5 even though I only need to pay 3 mana. I will be very happy if I am wrong, but I do not think that I am.
Sure, that would work because it says "put it into play". There is no casting involved, you're literally just moving an artifact card from your hand into play. The card itself never even goes on the stack, only Copper Gnomes 's ability does. For a similar card, there's classic Elvish Piper that can get an Emrakul, the Aeons Torn on the field turn 5 for G. You don't get the extra turn, however, because you are not casting it. Also, Birthing Pod involves no casting of the creatures, they just come into play from your library.
On a side note, I'm still waiting for Wizards to print a kill spell that simply says "Put target creature in its owner's graveyard." This would mean the creature would "die", but it was never destroyed; it'd be like it was Buried Alive .
May 12, 2013 10:04 p.m.
Oh, by the way, to "play" a card means the same things as to "cast" it; they changed the wording to make it less confusing.
May 12, 2013 10:05 p.m.
Sidneyious says... #6
You can use that cause your not casting the card, the gnomes are putting it into play.
May 12, 2013 10:05 p.m.
jesuslovedhumor says... #7
Thank you, I thought that the gnomes would work, but I wanted to make sure.
May 12, 2013 10:09 p.m.
jesuslovedhumor says... #8
Goody what would be the benefit of the creatures dying instead of being destroyed?
May 12, 2013 10:12 p.m.
You could use it on indestructible creatures and regenerators alike.
May 12, 2013 10:25 p.m.
jesuslovedhumor says... #10
I figured indestructible right after I posted. The reason I want That Which Was Taken
on the field with Gaddock Teeg
is I was thinking of using Konda, Lord of Eiganjo
with Pariah's Shield
which I can bring directly into play using Stonehewer Giant
. However, that which was taken is NOT equipment and while Konda is indestructible the shield is not. My normal combo (when my general has black and white [and yes I know the sculptor would not have worked if teeg was my general]) is putting the shield on Souls of the Faultless
and making them both indestructible.
Goody says... #2
You are correct. Converted mana cost refers to the total cost printed on the card, and very few things can change that (unhinged comes to mind). Reducing the casting cost of a card does not affect the card's converted mana cost; even if you could play the card for free with some other effect, you still would not be able to cast it because of Teeg's ability.
By the way, you should post ruling questions on MTG Q&A, there's a link at the top of the page.
May 12, 2013 9:47 p.m.