Kicker Costs and Converted Mana Cost (CMC): A Definitive Guide
No, kicker costs do not count towards the converted mana cost (CMC) of a card. The CMC is solely determined by the mana symbols printed in the upper right-hand corner of the card. Kicker is an additional cost that you may choose to pay when casting a spell, but it doesn’t alter the spell’s inherent CMC.
Think of it this way: the CMC is the card’s “birth certificate” value – it never changes. Kicker, on the other hand, is like optional extra features you can add to a car when buying it. These features increase the total price you pay, but they don’t change the car’s model number.
This distinction is crucial for understanding how various effects in Magic: The Gathering interact with spells. From countering spells with specific CMCs to cascading into spells with a lower CMC, understanding this rule is fundamental to strategic gameplay. Let’s delve deeper into why this rule exists and how it affects various game mechanics.
Understanding Converted Mana Cost (CMC)
The Converted Mana Cost, often abbreviated as CMC, is a numerical representation of the total mana required to cast a spell. It is derived from the mana cost printed in the upper right-hand corner of a card. To calculate the CMC, you simply add up the values of all the mana symbols. For example:
- A card with a mana cost of {1}{U} has a CMC of 2 (1 generic mana + 1 blue mana).
- A card with a mana cost of {R}{G}{W} has a CMC of 3 (1 red mana + 1 green mana + 1 white mana).
- A card with a mana cost of {X}{X}{U} has a CMC that varies depending on the value chosen for X when casting it. However, when the card is not on the stack and X is not defined, X is considered to be 0, so the CMC is 0 + 0 + 1 = 1
A card with no mana cost has a CMC of 0. Tokens, for example, typically have a CMC of 0 unless they copy another card with a defined mana cost.
The Nature of Kicker Costs
Kicker is an optional additional cost that you can pay when casting a spell. If you choose to pay the kicker cost, the spell will have an additional effect, as described on the card. The key word here is “additional.” Paying the kicker doesn’t change the underlying mana cost; it simply adds to the total cost you’re paying to cast the spell.
For instance, consider a card that costs {2}{B} with a kicker cost of {1}. The card’s CMC is always 3. If you choose to pay the kicker cost of {1}, your total casting cost becomes 4.
Why Kicker Doesn’t Affect CMC
The reason kicker doesn’t affect CMC is that the CMC is a fixed property of the card, determined solely by its printed mana cost. The rules of Magic: The Gathering are very precise about this distinction. The CMC is used to determine whether a card is affected by certain spells and abilities. For example:
- Counterspells: Some counterspells target spells with a specific CMC. If a counterspell says “Counter target spell with CMC 3 or less,” it can counter the {2}{B} spell from our example, regardless of whether you paid the kicker cost.
- Cascade: The cascade ability lets you exile cards from your library until you exile a nonland card with a lower CMC than the spell with cascade. The kicker cost paid doesn’t affect what cards are exiled.
Kicker and Other Additional Costs
Kicker is just one type of additional cost in Magic. Other examples include:
- Multikicker: Similar to kicker, but you can pay it multiple times.
- Buyback: Allows you to return the spell to your hand after it resolves, but at an additional cost.
- Convoke: Allows you to tap creatures you control to pay for mana in the spell’s cost.
- Overload: An alternate cost printed on some instants and sorceries.
Just like kicker, none of these additional costs affect the spell’s CMC.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the total cost to cast a spell is the same as its CMC. While related, they are not interchangeable. The total cost to cast a spell includes the mana cost, any additional costs (like kicker), and any cost increases or reductions due to other effects in play (such as Sphere of Resistance or Goblin Electromancer).
Another misconception is that paying the kicker cost “changes” the card. It doesn’t change the card itself; it simply modifies how it’s cast and what effects it produces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about kicker costs and converted mana cost:
H3 FAQ 1: Does reducing mana cost affect CMC?
No, cost reduction does not affect a spell’s CMC. The CMC remains the value printed on the upper right-hand corner of the card. For instance, a card with a CMC of 4 will always have a CMC of 4, even if a card like Goblin Electromancer reduces its casting cost.
H3 FAQ 2: Can kicker costs be reduced?
Yes, kicker costs can be reduced by effects like that of Goblin Electromancer. While kicker isn’t part of the actual mana cost, it contributes to the overall cost of casting the spell.
H3 FAQ 3: Does overload change CMC?
No, casting a spell with overload doesn’t change its CMC. Overload is an alternative cost, and you’re simply paying that cost instead of the normal mana cost.
H3 FAQ 4: Do tokens count as 0 CMC?
Most tokens have a CMC of 0, because they generally don’t have a mana cost printed on them. However, tokens that are copies of other permanents do have the same CMC as the original permanent they are copying.
H3 FAQ 5: Can you cast a kicker without paying mana cost?
If you are casting a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can usually pay kicker costs. However, there are exceptions:
- If an effect says you are casting a spell without paying its mana cost, you cannot pay alternate costs like overload.
- If an effect prevents you from paying additional costs, you cannot pay kicker.
H3 FAQ 6: Does buyback increase CMC?
No, buyback costs don’t count toward a spell’s mana cost or CMC, regardless of whether you pay them.
H3 FAQ 7: Can you convoke a kicker cost?
Yes, you can use convoke to pay for the kicker cost of a spell. Convoke lets you tap your creatures to help pay the cost of the spell, including any additional costs like kicker.
H3 FAQ 8: Can you pay kicker with Omniscience?
Yes, you can pay kicker with Omniscience. Omniscience lets you cast spells without paying their mana costs, but it still allows you to pay additional costs like kicker.
H3 FAQ 9: Do copies have CMC?
Yes, copies of spells or permanents have a CMC. If a spell copies another spell on the stack, the copy will have the same CMC as the original. If a permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of another permanent, it will have the same CMC as the original.
H3 FAQ 10: How does kicker cost work in MTG?
When you cast a spell with kicker, you have the option to pay its mana cost or pay the kicker cost in addition to its mana cost. If you pay the kicker cost, you get the additional effect listed on the card.
H3 FAQ 11: Does kicker count towards cascade?
When using Cascade, you reveal cards from your library until you find a nonland card with a lower mana value than the spell you cascaded from. Remember that kicker is separate from CMC. Therefore, the base CMC on the top right of the card is used for the comparision of a cascade.
H3 FAQ 12: What is included in CMC?
CMC represents the total cost of casting a card by adding the values of all the mana symbols printed in the upper right corner. It includes generic mana, colored mana, and variable mana costs (such as X).
H3 FAQ 13: Does flashback change the CMC?
Flashback is an alternative way to cast a card from your graveyard. However, the CMC of the card remains the same as it is printed in the upper right corner.
H3 FAQ 14: Does a kicker matter in 2 pairs?
While this question is more specific to poker, the concept of a “kicker” exists. A kicker is a high-ranking card that is not part of the main hand, but can be used to determine a winner if two players have the same hand. In the scenario of two pairs, the highest card that is not part of either pair acts as the kicker.
H3 FAQ 15: What is the cheapest casting method?
While the cheapest casting method mentioned in the source article refers to “Sand casting,” it is not a mechanic from Magic: The Gathering. Within the game, the cheapest casting method would generally involve cost reduction effects (like Goblin Electromancer) or alternate casting costs (like emerge).
Conclusion
Understanding the distinction between the converted mana cost and additional costs like kicker is crucial for mastering Magic: The Gathering. By grasping these core concepts, you’ll be better equipped to build powerful decks, make informed decisions during gameplay, and strategically leverage the many interactions between cards in the game. For more advanced discussions on game design and learning through play, consider visiting Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.