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Most of the time, the color of a spell doesn't matter, but it is important in some cases (e.g. protection or cards like Iona, Shield of Emeria).

Painter's Servant says that all spells are the chosen color, but Ghostfire says that it is colorless. Which is it?

[[Painter's Servant]] [[Ghostfire]] [[Iona, Shield of Emeria]]

edited Feb 27 at 20:45

tobsen
221●8

asked Feb 27 at 2:05

CodeSavvyGeek♦
2,121●3●10

Excellent question about timing / layering. – ripper234♦ Feb 27 at 8:20

Silly Freak · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-27 09:54:24Z UTC

that question is a real classic, but it has a very clear and almost easy answer.

Defining an object's characteristics is decribed by the layer system in CR 613. In this case the important part is this:

613.1e Layer 5: Color-changing effects are applied.

613.2 Within layers 1-6, apply effects from characteristic-defining abilities first (see 604.3), then all other effects in timestamp order (see 613.6). Note that dependency may alter the order in which effects are applied within a layer. (See 613.7.)

And the definition of characteristic-defining abilities

604.3a A static ability is a characteristic-defining ability if it meets the following criteria: (1) It defines an object's colors, subtypes, power, or toughness; (2) it is printed on the card it affects, it was granted to the token it affects by the effect that created the token, or it was acquired by the object it affects as the result of a copy effect or text-changing effect; (3) it does not directly affect the characteristics of any other objects; (4) it is not an ability that an object grants to itself; and (5) it does not set the values of such characteristics only if certain conditions are met.

"Ghostfire is colorless" is a characteristic-defining ability, so it is applied before any other effects, including painter's servant.

Conclusion: The Servant-Iona combo protects you from Ghostfire

How does Painter’s Servant interact with Ghostfire?

1 Answer