Can You Kick Copied Spells?
In Magic: The Gathering, there are many ways to play spells, including copying them using various effects. Kicker is a keyword ability that allows a player to pay an additional cost to gain a specific benefit. When a spell is copied, it’s natural to wonder if the kicker cost can be paid as well. In this article, we’ll explore the rules surrounding kicking copied spells.
Direct Answer
To start, the answer is yes, you can kick a copied spell. However, the kicker cost must be paid when the spell is originally cast, not when it’s copied. For example, if you play a spell with kicker and an additional cost of 1WW, you must pay that cost when you originally cast the spell. When you copy the spell, the copied spell will also have the kicker ability, and you can choose to pay the kicker cost again. Keep in mind that this only applies to the kicker ability and not other abilities or costs on the card.
How Kicker Works
Kicker is a keyword ability that is written in the form {cost} (e.g., 3UU). When you cast a spell with kicker, you have the option to pay the kicker cost, which is typically listed as an additional cost to cast the spell. When you pay the kicker cost, you gain the specific benefit listed on the card, such as dealing extra damage or creating additional tokens.
Copied Spells
When a spell is copied, it’s not the original spell being played; it’s a separate spell that is identical to the original. This means that when you copy a spell, you can choose to pay the kicker cost on the copied spell, even if you didn’t pay the kicker cost on the original spell.
Paying Kicker on a Copied Spell
Here’s an example of how this works:
- You cast a spell with kicker 2G. The spell has a benefit that allows you to create a 2/2 token.
- You decide to pay the kicker cost of 2G. You create the 2/2 token as described on the card.
- You copy the spell using an effect like Clone or Copy.
- When you copy the spell, you can choose to pay the kicker cost of 2G again, creating another 2/2 token.
Chaining Kicker
If a spell has kicker, it’s possible to create a chain of kicker costs when copying the spell. This can lead to powerful effects, especially when combining with other abilities or cards.
- You cast a spell with kicker 1W. The spell has a benefit that allows you to create a 1/1 token.
- You pay the kicker cost of 1W. You create the 1/1 token.
- You copy the spell using an effect like Clone or Copy.
- You pay the kicker cost of 1W on the copied spell, creating another 1/1 token.
- You continue copying the spell and paying the kicker cost, potentially creating multiple tokens.
Table: Kicker Cost Payment
| Scenario | Kicker Cost Payment |
|---|---|
| Original spell | Pay the kicker cost when casting the spell |
| Copied spell | Pay the kicker cost when copying the spell |
Conclusion
Kicker is a powerful keyword ability that can add a new layer of strategy to your Magic: The Gathering gameplay. When copying a spell with kicker, you can choose to pay the kicker cost again, allowing you to create additional tokens, deal extra damage, or gain other benefits. While paying kicker on a copied spell may seem like an extra cost, it can often lead to powerful effects and strategic opportunities. With practice and experience, mastering kicker and copied spells can become a key part of your Magic: The Gathering repertoire.