Price of Fame 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
This spell costsless to cast if it targets a legendary creature. Destroy target creature. Surveil 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest on top of your library in any order.)
Complete guide
Price of Fame is a flexible black removal spell from the Guilds of Ravnica set that rewards you for hunting down high-profile targets. It combines efficient destruction with the ability to filter your future draws, making it a staple for decks that need to deal with powerful heroes and villains.
The Legendary Discount
The first thing to notice about Price of Fame is its cost-reduction ability. While its base cost is four mana, it costs two less to cast if it targets a legendary creature. It is important to remember that even if you pay only two mana, the spell's mana value remains 4. You must choose a legal target as you cast the spell; if that target is legendary at that moment, the discount applies.
Resolution and Surveil
When the spell resolves, you follow the instructions in order: first destroy the creature, then Surveil 2. When you surveil, you look at the top two cards of your library and decide whether each one goes into your graveyard or back on top. If you put both back on top, you can choose the order. Note that you surveil before any 'death triggers' (like 'When this creature dies...') are put onto the stack.
Missing the Mark
A common mistake involves targets becoming illegal. If you cast Price of Fame and your opponent moves the target to another zone (like bouncing it to their hand) or gives it Hexproof in response, the entire spell fails to resolve. In this case, you do not get to surveil. However, if the target is simply Indestructible, the spell still resolves; the creature survives, but you still proceed to Surveil 2.
When to Play It
Because this is an instant, it is best used during an opponent's combat phase or at the end of their turn. It is particularly potent in Commander formats where legendary targets are always available, allowing you to keep two mana open to threaten a board swing while setting up your next draw.
Interaction examples
Deadly RollickIf your opponent has a legendary commander on the field, Price of Fame only costs {1}{B} to cast. Unlike Deadly Rollick, which requires you to control your own commander to get a free cast, Price of Fame's discount is based solely on what you are trying to kill. Step 1: Target the legendary creature. Step 2: Pay the reduced cost. Step 3: Destroy it and Surveil 2.
Fell the Profane // Fell MireIn a scenario where you need to remove a threat and fix your deck, Price of Fame offers more utility than Fell the Profane. While Fell the Profane can target planeswalkers or act as a land, Price of Fame provides card selection. If you cast Price of Fame on a non-legendary creature for four mana, you still get to look at the top two cards of your library, helping you find your next land or another removal spell like Fell the Profane.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Price of Fame
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, you'll surveil last. For others, you'll surveil and then perform other actions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells that instruct you to surveil require targets. You can't cast a spell without choosing legal targets. If all of those targets become illegal, the spell doesn't resolve and you won't surveil.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
When you surveil, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards into your graveyard, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them into your graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Price of Fame's mana value is 4, even if it costs
less to cast.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
You'll surveil before resolving any abilities that trigger on the target creature dying.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Price of Fame can target a creature that's indestructible. It won't be destroyed, but you'll surveil.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Price of Fame
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.