Rules glossary
↑ Section 202. Mana Cost and Color
202.3 The mana value of an object is a number equal to the total amount of mana in its mana cost, regardless of color. Example: A mana cost of {3}{U}{U} translates to a mana value of 5.
- 202.3a The mana value of an object with no mana cost is 0, unless that object is the back face of a nonmodal double-faced permanent or spell, or it is a melded permanent.
- 202.3b The mana value of the back face of a nonmodal double-faced permanent or spell’s back face is calculated as though it had the mana cost of its front face. If a permanent or spell is a copy of the back face of a nonmodal double-faced object (even if the card representing that copy is itself a double-faced card), the mana value of the copy is 0. Example: Huntmaster of the Fells is a nonmodal double-faced card with mana cost {2}{R}{G}. Its mana value is 4. After it transforms to its other face (Ravager of the Fells), its mana value remains 4. Example: A Clone enters the battlefield as a copy of Ravager of the Fells. Its mana value is 0. Example: Insectile Aberration is the back face of a nonmodal double-faced card whose front face has mana cost {U}. It becomes a copy of Ravager of the Fells. Its mana value becomes 0.
- 202.3c The mana value of a melded permanent is calculated as though it had the combined mana cost of the front faces of each card that represents it. If a permanent is a copy of a melded permanent (even if that copy is represented by two other meld cards), the mana value of the copy is 0.
- 202.3d The mana value of a split card not on the stack or of a fused split spell on the stack is determined from the combined mana costs of its halves. Otherwise, while a split card is on the stack, the mana value of the spell is determined by the mana cost of the half that was chosen to be cast. See rule 709, “Split Cards.” (refs: 709)
- 202.3e When calculating the mana value of an object with an {X} in its mana cost, X is treated as 0 while the object is not on the stack, and X is treated as the number chosen for it while the object is on the stack.
- 202.3f When calculating the mana value of an object with a hybrid mana symbol in its mana cost, use the largest component of each hybrid symbol. Example: The mana value of a card with mana cost {1}{W/U}{W/U} is 3. Example: The mana value of a card with mana cost {2/B}{2/B}{2/B} is 6.
- 202.3g Each Phyrexian mana symbol in a card’s mana cost contributes 1 to its mana value. Example: The mana value of a card with mana cost {1}{W/P}{W/P} is 3.