Mana value

The mana value of an object is a number determined by the total amount of mana in its mana cost.
==History==
"Mana value" was originally known as "casting cost" or "total casting cost" prior to Sixth Edition. With the Sixth Edition rules changes, "casting cost" became "converted mana cost" (or "CMC" for short). The term "mana value" was introduced in Strixhaven: School of Mages. Thereafter, all cards prior to this set have their oracle text updated to reflect this change.
==Description==
The mana value of an object is an integer and is always greater than or equal to zero. Mana value is determined by converting the symbols of the card or spell's mana cost into numbers and calculating the sum of those numbers. Mana symbols which contain a number, including monocolored hybrid mana symbols (), are converted into that number. All other mana symbols are converted into 1. Cards without a mana cost, such as lands, have a mana value of 0.
The only case in which a spell's mana value can ever vary is for spells with in the mana cost. When an object with X in the mana cost is on the stack, X equals whatever value was chosen for it when it was put on the stack. In any other zone, X equals 0.
Examples:
*Spells with mana costs of and each have a mana value of 1.
*Spells with mana costs of and each have a mana value of 3.
*Spells with mana costs of and each have a mana value of 5.
===Special mana values===
Cards with multiple sets of playable characteristics may have different mana values in different zones, depending how they were cast or played. Tokens and copies may also have confusing mana values.
The following table shows which number or attribute of a card the mana value is based on, for selected special kinds of objects on the battlefield, stack, and other zones:
Object quality 	Battlefield 	Stack 	Other zone
No mana cost 	Value is 0 	Value is 0 	Value is 0
Cast using an alternate cost, additional cost or other cost modification	Original unmodified mana cost 	Original unmodified mana cost 	N/A
Cost contains 	X counts as 0 	X counts as value chosen when cast	X counts as 0
Split card 	N/A 	Whichever side was cast 	Sum of the sides
Split card 	N/A 	Sum of the sides if cast fused 	Sum of the sides
Room card 	Sum of unlocked doors 	Whichever side was cast 	Sum of the sides
Adventure card 	Non-Adventure spell 	Whichever spell was cast 	Non-Adventure spell
Prototype card 	Whichever version was cast 	Whichever version was cast 	Non-Prototype cost
Prototype card 	Non-Prototype cost if not cast 	Whichever version was cast 	Non-Prototype cost
Modal double-faced card (MDFC) 	Whichever face is up 	Whichever face was cast 	Front face
Back side of transforming double-faced card (DFC) 	Front face 	Front face 	N/A
Melded permanent 	Sum of front faces of both components	N/A 	N/A
Non-copy Token 	Value is 0 	N/A 	N/A
Face-down 	Value is 0 	Value is 0 	N/A
Tokens and face-down objects have mana value 0 simply because they have no mana cost. Note that a face-down object could turn face-up, at which point it would have its regular attributes rather than mana value 0.
The following table shows which number or attribute determines the mana value of an object that is a copy of another object. These rules apply regardless of whether a permanent copy is a token or a non-token card. Generally, if the mana cost is able to be copied, the mana value is copied also. If the mana value cannot be copied, the mana value of the copy is 0; these are marked with a * below.
Copy of... 	Battlefield 	Stack
Split, Adventure, Prototype, or MDFC 	Same as whichever version of original was copied 	Same as whichever version of original was cast
Spell or permanent with in cost 	X counts as 0 	X counts as value chosen when original spell was cast
Back side of transforming DFC or melded permanent*	Value is 0 	Value is 0
Token copy of an object, or copy of a spell 	Same as original, unless mana cost could not be copied	Same as original, unless mana cost could not be copied
Face-down object* 	Value is 0 	Value is 0
Note that a copy of a face-down object cannot turn face-up to regain the original mana value - it will have value 0 regardless of whether the copying object is face-up or face-down. Neither can a copy of a DFC back face or melded permanent transform to acquire a non-zero mana value, regardless of whether the copying object is itself a DFC, melded, or transformed.
Hypothetically, while designed-for-digital cards could manipulate the mana cost or value of itself or other spells, only Specialize has done so: once Specialized, those cards gain a mana symbol perpetually which affects their mana value and color.
==Related mechanics==
Several classes of abilities check mana values of cards to determine their effects, most notably when this concept is a theme in a set.
===Odd or even mana value===
Some cards care about if the mana value is odd or even. 
*
*
*
*
*
*
* (Transformers)
*
*
 Features the reminder text: zero is even.
===Cost matters===
"Cost matters" was a theme in Scourge that encouraged players to use spells with high mana values. In addition to providing numerous creatures and other spells with mana values 6 or greater, several cards were printed that enhanced or facilitated them. This theme returned as the green-blue mechanic in Commander Legends and as the Prismari mechanic in Strixhaven: School of Mages.
===Friendly to low mana value cards===
White is the color that most positively interacts with low mana value (anywhere from mana value 3 or less) cards. It can search the library for them and get them back from the graveyard, among other positive interactions.
==Rules==
===Obsolete terminology===
==References==