X

From MTG Salvation Wiki

X can also refer to the 10th Edition core set.

X can mean two different things depending on its appearance on a card.

As a casting cost on a card, is a variable mana cost of a spell. In a card's text it means a variable, such as "Gain X life" or "Deal X damage" which is usually based on the in the mana cost of the spell.

From the Comprehensive Rules 104.3. The mana symbols are , , , , , and ; the numerals , , , , , and so on; the hybrid symbols , , , , , , , , , and ; and the snow symbol . 104.3c The symbol represents an unspecified amount of mana; when playing a spell or activated ability with in its cost, its controller decides the value of that variable.

[edit] Examples

Blaze - Sorcery Blaze deals X damage to target creature or player. Ivy Elemental - Creature - Elemental 0/0 Ivy Elemental comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it.

[edit] Rulings

• If a spell or ability has a cost with an “{X}” in it, the value of X must be announced as part of playing the spell or ability. (See rule 409, “Playing Spells and Activated Abilities.”) While the spell or ability is on the stack, the in its mana cost equals the amount announced as part of playing the spell or ability. If a card in any other zone has in its mana cost, the amount is treated as 0. If you’re playing a spell that has in its mana cost and an effect lets you play it without paying any cost that includes , the only legal choice for is 0. This does not apply to effects that only reduce a cost, even if they reduce it to zero. See rule 409, “Playing Spells and Activated Abilities.”
• If a cost associated with a special action, such as a suspend cost or a morph cost, has an “{X}” in it, the value of is chosen by the player taking the special action as he or she pays that cost.
• In triggered abilities, X is defined when the ability resolves. It may be defined by the text of the ability, by a keyword ability of the card, or by the trigger event. See rule 410, “Handling Triggered Abilities.”
• In other cases, X is defined by the text of a spell or ability. If X isn’t defined, the controller of the spell or ability chooses the value of X. All Xs on an object have the same value.

[edit] Trivia

Shifting Wall is the first card to ever have a mana cost of just .

See also Numbers and symbols