X n -mana

[Iandtormentor]

So I've had this come up a few times now and I want to clear this up ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Say I have  a {Council of the Absolute} naming  {Savageborn Hydra}, then, I cast the hydra paying 0 for x does it come in with 0 +1/+1 counters or 2. Thanks!

[Bookmeister]

You can't name a creature or land card. You must name sorcery, instant, enchantment or artifact.

[Kagain123]

You can't name a creature or land card. You must name sorcery, instant, enchantment or artifact.

All true. However, take  {Sphinx's Revelation}. You would be able to cast it for 0, then gain 2 life and draw 2 cards.

[Quisequise]

You determine what X is before you cast  {Savageborn Hydra} and in your case you say 2, meaning it will get two counters if you paid 2. Now since  {Council of the Absolute} reduces the casting cost by 2, you can pay 0 and still get the 2 counters. Like wise if you said X=4 you would get 4 counters for the cost of 2

[Bookmeister]

You determine what X is before you cast  {Savageborn Hydra} and in your case you say 2, meaning it will get two counters if you paid 2. Now since  {Council of the Absolute} reduces the casting cost by 2, you can pay 0 and still get the 2 counters. Like wise if you said X=4 you would get 4 counters for the cost of 2

No. You can't name the hydra, it's a creature.

[Quisequise]

You determine what X is before you cast  {Savageborn Hydra} and in your case you say 2, meaning it will get two counters if you paid 2. Now since  {Council of the Absolute} reduces the casting cost by 2, you can pay 0 and still get the 2 counters. Like wise if you said X=4 you would get 4 counters for the cost of 2

No. You can't name the hydra, it's a creature.

Hahah you're right I forgot that part.

[Iandtormentor]

You can't name a creature or land card. You must name sorcery, instant, enchantment or artifact.

ok

[Iandtormentor]

You determine what X is before you cast  {Savageborn Hydra} and in your case you say 2, meaning it will get two counters if you paid 2. Now since  {Council of the Absolute} reduces the casting cost by 2, you can pay 0 and still get the 2 counters. Like wise if you said X=4 you would get 4 counters for the cost of 2

thanks 👍👍👍

[Bookmeister]

You determine what X is before you cast  {Savageborn Hydra} and in your case you say 2, meaning it will get two counters if you paid 2. Now since  {Council of the Absolute} reduces the casting cost by 2, you can pay 0 and still get the 2 counters. Like wise if you said X=4 you would get 4 counters for the cost of 2

thanks 👍👍👍

He is wrong and realized it. You still can't name the hydra, it's still a creature.

[Gorzo]

Yes, it's true creatures can't be named, but his description of how reduced costs like Counsil's effect work on X cards is apt. Just replace the hydra in his example with {Fireball}. Or, to keep the examples in standard, {Sphinx's Revelation}.