G.17 - Generic Mana


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G.17.1- The term "generic mana" means "mana of any color or mana which is colorless". For example, a spell which requires 2 generic mana and one green mana may be cast using 1 colorless mana, 1 red mana, and one green mana. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.17.2- A generic mana cost is depicted on cards using a gray circle with a number in it. [CompRules 1999/04/23]

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G.17.3- A generic mana X is still considered to be generic even if there is a requirement in the card text to only spend a certain color of mana on it. This distinction allows effects which reduce the generic mana cost of an ability to reduce the amount needed to pay for X. For example, if you have two Helm of Awakenings in play (each reduces the generic costs of spells by {1}), you could cast a Drain Life for just {B} and still do 1 damage. [WotC Rules Team 1997/06/01]

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G.17.Ruling.1- You can never have generic mana in your mana pool. Generic mana only appears in the cost of spells and abilities. It indicates a freedom to apply any colored or colorless mana to that cost. [D'Angelo 1998/05/28]

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G.17.Ruling.2- A few older cards used the generic mana symbol when they talk about mana they generate. All such cards have errata to say they generate colorless mana instead of using that symbol. [D'Angelo 1998/05/28] The rules now allow for the use of the number in a gray circle for use in the generation of colorless mana, so this may show up on newer cards as well. [WotC Rules Team 2002/02/01]

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Note- Many people use the term "colorless mana" when talking about mana in the gray circle. This is not accurate. They should say "generic mana". [D'Angelo 1998/02/03]

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Note- Also see Colorless Mana, Rule G.4.

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