Is Sphinx of the Guildpact a Multicolored Spell?
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The short, direct answer is: No, Sphinx of the Guildpact is not a multicolored spell. While it has an ability that makes it all colors, it is a colorless card with no mana cost. This distinction is crucial when evaluating its place in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in formats like Commander. The game has specific rules surrounding color and color identity, and understanding these is essential for deck building and gameplay.
Understanding Multicolored Cards vs. Colorless Cards
Before we dive deeper into Sphinx of the Guildpact, let’s clarify what constitutes a multicolored card. A card is considered multicolored if its mana cost includes two or more different colored mana symbols. For example, a card costing {1}{W}{B} (one generic mana, one white mana, and one black mana) is a multicolored white and black card. These cards often combine the mechanics and flavor of the colors they represent.
Sphinx of the Guildpact, however, has a mana cost of {0}, meaning it costs zero mana to cast. Because there are no colored mana symbols in its casting cost, and because it does not have a color indicator, Sphinx of the Guildpact is considered colorless, despite its ability that allows it to be all colors at the same time.
The Power of “All Colors” Ability
Sphinx of the Guildpact has the unique ability that it is “all colors.” This means, as long as it is on the battlefield, the card acts as though it is a White, Blue, Black, Red, and Green card, simultaneously. This means it will trigger cards with effects that check for specific colors. Importantly, this ability does not change the card’s color identity for Commander.
Color Identity in Commander
The concept of color identity is particularly important in the Commander (EDH) format. A card’s color identity is determined by the colored mana symbols in its mana cost, plus any colored mana symbols present in the card’s rules text (excluding reminder text). It’s important to note that the card’s ability to become all colors doesn’t affect its color identity.
Because Sphinx of the Guildpact has no mana symbols in its cost or text, its color identity is colorless. This means it can be included in any Commander deck, even those that don’t feature any particular color, but it doesn’t contribute to the color requirements of your commander in any way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about color, multicolored cards, and Sphinx of the Guildpact:
1. What determines the color of a card in Magic?
The color of a card is primarily determined by its mana cost. If a card’s cost includes colored mana symbols, it is that color (or those colors). For example, a card with {G} in its cost is green. Additionally, a card might be a certain color because of a color indicator located to the left of the type line.
2. What makes a card multicolored in MTG?
A card is considered multicolored if its mana cost includes two or more different colors of mana symbols. For example, a card costing {R}{G} is a red and green multicolored card.
3. What is the color identity of a card in Commander?
A card’s color identity is determined by the colored mana symbols in its mana cost and the colored mana symbols in its rules text (excluding reminder text). The ability to be all colors does not influence a card’s color identity.
4. Does the “devoid” ability change a card’s color identity?
No, the devoid ability does not change a card’s color identity. Devoid makes a card colorless, but its color identity is still derived from the mana symbols on the card.
5. Can a colorless card be included in any Commander deck?
Yes, colorless cards can be included in any Commander deck, regardless of the commander’s color identity. This is why Sphinx of the Guildpact is legal in any EDH deck.
6. Does having “extort” affect a card’s color identity?
No, extort does not affect a card’s color identity. The white/black hybrid mana symbol in the extort ability is considered reminder text and is ignored for color identity purposes.
7. Can hybrid mana symbols in the mana cost change the color identity?
Yes, hybrid mana symbols in a card’s mana cost do change the card’s color identity. For example, a card costing {W/B}{1} is both white and black for color identity purposes.
8. If a card is “all colors,” does it make it multicolored?
No. The phrase, “is all colors” or “is each color,” is only an effect on the card while it is in play, but does not change the card’s color identity or it’s status as a colorless spell. Sphinx of the Guildpact remains colorless and is not considered multicolored.
9. Can a card have a different color than its color identity?
Yes. A card may have an effect that makes it another color but its color identity never changes. For example, a creature could be white, but have a blue color identity due to mana costs.
10. Why is color identity important in Commander?
In Commander, you can only include cards in your deck that have a color identity that is within the color identity of your chosen commander. This is a fundamental rule of deck construction in the format.
11. What is the color identity of Transguild Courier?
Transguild Courier has a color identity of all five colors (white, blue, black, red, and green) because of its rules text that states, “Transguild Courier is all colors.”
12. What is the weakest color in Commander?
White is often considered the weakest color in Commander due to its lack of card advantage and mana ramp compared to other colors.
13. Do companions have to match a commander’s color identity?
Yes, companions must adhere to the color identity and singleton rules of Commander. They are effectively treated as a 101st card in your deck.
14. Are there any banned companions in Commander?
Yes, Yorion, Sky Nomad and Lutri, the Spellchaser are banned as companions in Commander.
15. Are there any other cards like Sphinx of the Guildpact?
Yes, other cards exist that can be all colors, but still remain colorless, or have a specific color identity due to their mana cost. Transguild Courier, and Coalition Victory, are prime examples of this principle.
Conclusion
Sphinx of the Guildpact is not a multicolored spell. It is a colorless card with a unique ability to become all colors when it’s on the battlefield. Understanding the difference between a card’s color, color identity, and the impact of abilities like “all colors” is crucial for navigating the intricacies of Magic: The Gathering, especially in the Commander format. This distinction allows Sphinx of the Guildpact to be a versatile card in any Commander deck, offering unique utility without adding color restrictions.