Do Black Tokens Count Towards Devotion?
In Magic: The Gathering, devotion is a crucial concept that determines the power and effects of certain cards. One of the most common questions among players is whether black tokens count towards devotion. In this article, we’ll delve into the details and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.
Direct Answer
No, black tokens do not count towards devotion. This is because tokens do not have mana costs, which are the primary factor in determining devotion. Mana costs are the costs listed in the upper right corner of a card, and they are used to calculate a player’s devotion to a particular color.
What is Devotion?
Before we dive deeper into the answer, let’s take a step back and understand what devotion is. Devotion is a mechanic that was introduced in the Khans of Tarkir set, which allows players to gain various benefits based on the number of mana symbols of a specific color in the mana costs of permanents they control. The mana symbols can be from cards that are already on the battlefield, as well as those that are in the player’s hand or library.
Mana Costs and Tokens
As mentioned earlier, mana costs are the primary factor in determining devotion. Tokens, on the other hand, do not have mana costs. When a token is created, it is considered a copy of the card that was used to create it, but it does not have its own mana cost. This means that tokens are not taken into account when calculating devotion.
Types of Tokens
There are two main types of tokens: creature tokens and non-creature tokens. Creature tokens are tokens that are created by creature cards, such as those with the Token ability. Non-creature tokens are tokens that are created by non-creature cards, such as those with the Create ability.
Examples of Tokens
Here are a few examples of tokens that do not count towards devotion:
- Creature tokens created by cards like Goblin Rabblemaster or Kolaghan, the Storm’s Fury
- Non-creature tokens created by cards like Fated Infatuation or Rakdos Guildgates
Conclusion
In conclusion, black tokens do not count towards devotion. This is because tokens do not have mana costs, which are the primary factor in determining devotion. While tokens can be created by cards with mana costs, the tokens themselves do not have mana costs, and therefore do not contribute to a player’s devotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do tokens count towards devotion in other ways? No, tokens do not count towards devotion in any way. They are simply copies of the cards that were used to create them.
- Can I use tokens to fulfill the devotion requirement for a card? No, you cannot use tokens to fulfill the devotion requirement for a card. You must use cards with mana costs that match the devotion requirement.
- Can I create tokens with mana costs? Yes, some cards can create tokens with mana costs. These tokens would count towards devotion, but only if they are created by cards with mana costs that match the devotion requirement.
Table: Mana Costs and Devotion
| Mana Cost | Devotion |
|---|---|
| B | Black devotion |
| G | Green devotion |
| R | Red devotion |
| U | Blue devotion |
| W | White devotion |
In this table, the mana cost is listed on the left, and the devotion is listed on the right. For example, if a card has a mana cost of B, it would contribute to a player’s black devotion.
By understanding the relationship between mana costs and devotion, you can make more informed decisions about which cards to play and how to build your deck. Remember, black tokens do not count towards devotion, and you must use cards with mana costs that match the devotion requirement to fulfill the devotion requirement for a card.