When determining the converted mana cost of a spell, X is always 0. Kicker and additional cost abilities, regardless of what they are, do not affect the converted mana cost of a spell.
X is merely a number you define and pay with mana to determine the value of X's in the spell when casting.
I always thought that on the stack, X is the value you chose for it, but anywhere else it equals 0.
You are correct, theinsanething is mistaken.
202.3b When calculating the converted mana cost of an object with an {X} in its mana cost, X is treated as 0 while the object is not on the stack, and X is treated as the number chosen for it while the object is on the stack.
and to address the original question: kicker and additional costs are not factored into the mana-cost and therefore not part of the converted-mana-cost
202.3. The converted mana cost of an object is a number equal to the total amount of mana in its mana cost, regardless of color.
...
202.4. Any additional cost listed in an object’s rules text or imposed by an effect isn’t part of the mana cost. (See rule 601, “Casting Spells.”) Such costs are paid at the same time as the spell’s other costs.
It is really easy to remember. Just follow these rules:
1. Excluding X-spells, NOTHING can change the converted mana cost of a spell. It will ALWAYS be equal to the mana cost in the top right (or left) corner of the card, converted to a number.
2. For X-spells, X is always 0, everywhere. Except for once place: on the stack. There the value of X is equal to what you chose (not what you paid, but what you chose).
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Chances of bad hands (<2 or >4 land):
21: 28.9%
22: 27.5%
23: 26.3%
24: 25.5%
25: 25.1%
26: 25.3%
X is merely a number you define and pay with mana to determine the value of X's in the spell when casting.
Standard:
UR Ral Combo
Modern:
U Merfolk
R Goblins
Commander
RB Grenzo, Dungeon Warden
R Feldon of the Third Path
Not when searching it doesn't. A Protean Hulk going to the graveyard allows me to search for Shifting Wall's and Phyrexian Marauder's without adding anything to the total.
I figured that it would be the same for casting as well. I may be wrong at this point.
For example, say I cast an Earthquake using X as 4, would it be countered by a lone Spellstutter Sprite?
Standard:
UR Ral Combo
Modern:
U Merfolk
R Goblins
Commander
RB Grenzo, Dungeon Warden
R Feldon of the Third Path
I always thought that on the stack, X is the value you chose for it, but anywhere else it equals 0.
Teneb Reanimator EDH
Sunforge Mystic toolbox Casual
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You are correct, theinsanething is mistaken.
and to address the original question: kicker and additional costs are not factored into the mana-cost and therefore not part of the converted-mana-cost
1. Excluding X-spells, NOTHING can change the converted mana cost of a spell. It will ALWAYS be equal to the mana cost in the top right (or left) corner of the card, converted to a number.
2. For X-spells, X is always 0, everywhere. Except for once place: on the stack. There the value of X is equal to what you chose (not what you paid, but what you chose).
Casual Commander player.
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