Psychic Vortex

Ward Mechanic Nuances

"Would “Ward- Target opponent draws a card.” not work? No. It's not a cost" - I don't see why "an opponent draws a card" couldn't work as a cost, "an opponent gains 1 life" was used as the cumulative upkeep cost on Wall of Shards, and drawing cards was used as a cost on Psychic Vortex. Neither of those are intuitively costs, but they do work in the rules.

You can say “When this is targeted, you draw a card”. It doesn’t work with ward, but the ability can work.There is nuance with the cards you’re referencing that make them different from this case.

Card Draw Cumulative Upkeep Mechanics Psychic Vortex Rules Three Color Wall Wall of Shards Ward

Cost Mechanics

Doesn't Psychic Vortex ("Cumulative Upkeep - Draw a card") mean that "draw a card" can be a cost?

You drawing a card can technically be a cost, but that’s not what ward - draw a card is. It’s your opponent choosing to pay a cost of you drawing a card, which can’t be a cost. You can’t make others take an action as a cost you pay.

Card Draw Cumulative Upkeep Mechanics Psychic Vortex Ward

Cost of Card Drawing Explanation

"Can "draw a card" be used as a cost? No, as it’s not a cost." I think it can be. See Psychic Vortex.

That’s an interesting point. A card existing doesn’t always means it works clearly in the rules though.

Card Draw Psychic Vortex Rules

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