Here's the comprehensive rules for determining the final cost of the spell:
601.2f The player determines the total cost of the spell. Usually this is just the mana cost. Some spells have additional or alternative costs. Some effects may increase or reduce the cost to pay, or may provide other alternative costs. Costs may include paying mana, tapping permanents, sacrificing permanents, discarding cards, and so on. The total cost is the mana cost or alternative cost (as determined in rule 601.2b), plus all additional costs and cost increases, and minus all cost reductions. If multiple cost reductions apply, the player may apply them in any order. If the mana component of the total cost is reduced to nothing by cost reduction effects, it is considered to be {0}. It can’t be reduced to less than {0}. Once the total cost is determined, any effects that directly affect the total cost are applied. Then the resulting total cost becomes “locked in.” If effects would change the total cost after this time, they have no effect.
Which, in plain English, means you take the base mana cost, add any additional costs (like Kicker/Buyback) or cost increases (like Sphere of Resistance), then apply any cost reductions like Arcane Melee.
Capsize
mana cost/alternative cost
+ additional costs
+ cost increases
- cost reductions
+ additional modifiers (eg. Trinisphere)
Buyback is an additional cost, Arcane Melee creates a cost reduction. Thus the cost of Capsize with buyback is 1UU + 3 - 2 = 2UU
Also, in the future, please put your questions in your posts, not just the title. A sticky on top of the rules forum also explains card tags.
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Capsize with Arcane Melee in play would cost 2UU to cast with buyback.
Here's the comprehensive rules for determining the final cost of the spell:
Which, in plain English, means you take the base mana cost, add any additional costs (like Kicker/Buyback) or cost increases (like Sphere of Resistance), then apply any cost reductions like Arcane Melee.
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Unless I'm missing something, this is the correct answer.
You are correct. I derped on my post and forgot Buyback was 3, not 2. Corrected above.
Currently Playing:
Legacy: Something U/W Controlish
EDH Cube
Hypercube! A New EDH Deck Every Week(ish)!