Esper’s first ability doesn’t change the mana cost or mana value of any artifact spell. It changes only the total cost players pay.

That ability can’t reduce the amount of colored mana players pay for a spell. It reduces only the generic component of that cost.

If there are additional costs to cast an artifact spell, or if the cost to cast a spell is increased by an effect (such as the one created by Thalia, Guardian of Thraben’s ability), apply those increases before applying cost reductions.

The cost reduction can apply to alternative costs such as prototype costs.

If a spell you cast has {X} in its mana cost, you choose the value of X before calculating the spell’s total cost. For example, if an artifact spell’s mana cost is {X}{X}, you could choose 2 as the value of X and pay {3} to cast the spell.

The set of artifact creatures affected by the chaos ability is determined as that ability resolves. Artifact creatures you begin to control later in the turn and permanents that become artifact creatures later in the turn won’t get the bonuses.

Esper : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Esper is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Artifact spells cost less to cast. Whenever chaos ensues, creatures you control that are white, blue, and/or black become artifacts in addition to their other types until end of turn. Then each artifact creature you control gains vigilance, menace, and lifelink until end of turn.

How it works : Esper

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Esper’s first ability doesn’t change the mana cost or mana value of any artifact spell. It changes only the total cost players pay.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
That ability can’t reduce the amount of colored mana players pay for a spell. It reduces only the generic component of that cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If there are additional costs to cast an artifact spell, or if the cost to cast a spell is increased by an effect (such as the one created by Thalia, Guardian of Thraben’s ability), apply those increases before applying cost reductions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The cost reduction can apply to alternative costs such as prototype costs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell you cast has in its mana cost, you choose the value of X before calculating the spell’s total cost. For example, if an artifact spell’s mana cost is , you could choose 2 as the value of X and pay to cast the spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The set of artifact creatures affected by the chaos ability is determined as that ability resolves. Artifact creatures you begin to control later in the turn and permanents that become artifact creatures later in the turn won’t get the bonuses.
No other card is named in this ruling.

Interactions with other cards

These cards' text mentions Esper.

Terra, Magical Adept // Esper Terra

When Terra enters, mill five cards. Put up to one enchantment card milled this way into your hand. Trance — {4}{R}{G}, {T}: Exile Terra, then return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control. Activate only as a sorcery. (As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter.) I, II, III — Create a token that's a copy of target nonlegendary enchantment you control. It gains haste. If it's a Saga, put up to three lore counters on it. Sacrifice it at the beginning of your next end step. IV — Add {W}{W}, {U}{U}, {B}{B}, {R}{R}, and {G}{G}. Exile Esper Terra, then return it to the battlefield (front face up). Flying

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