Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 1

To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 2

Effects that reduce the generic mana cost of a spell can't reduce that spell's colored mana requirements.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 3

Primal Amulet's last ability triggers once you've completed casting a spell. Notably, you can't use Primal Wellspring to pay for the spell that gives Primal Amulet its fourth counter.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 4

If a fourth charge counter is put on Primal Amulet by something other than the resolution of its ability (as modified by any applicable replacement effects), you won't be able to remove those counters and transform it yet. You'll have to wait until you cast an instant or sorcery spell again.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 5

The mana produced by Primal Wellspring can be spent on anything, not just an instant or sorcery spell.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 6

Any instant or sorcery spell you spend the mana on will be copied, not just one that requires targets.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 7

The delayed triggered ability from Primal Wellspring's mana ability will trigger even if Primal Wellspring leaves the battlefield before that mana is spent.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring — ruling 8

If more than one mana produced by a Primal Wellspring is spent to cast a single instant or sorcery spell, the delayed triggered ability associated with each mana spent will trigger. That many copies will be created. It doesn't matter if this mana was produced by one Primal Wellspring or by multiple Primal Wellsprings.

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring 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

Instant and sorcery spells you cast cost less to cast. Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, put a charge counter on this artifact. Then if there are four or more charge counters on it, you may remove those counters and transform it. (Transforms from Primal Amulet.) : Add one mana of any color. When that mana is spent to cast an instant or sorcery spell, copy that spell and you may choose new targets for the copy.

Complete guide

Primal Amulet is a versatile artifact that rewards players for focusing on instant and sorcery spells. It starts by making your spells more affordable and eventually transforms into Primal Wellspring, a powerful land that duplicates your magic. Whether you are aiming for a massive combo or simply out-valuing your opponent, this card is a cornerstone for spellcasting decks.

What it Does

While on its front face, Primal Amulet provides a cost reduction of {1} to all your instant and sorcery spells. Each time you cast such a spell, the Amulet gains a charge counter. Once it hits four or more counters, you can choose to transform it into Primal Wellspring. Primal Wellspring is a land that taps for mana of any color, and if you use that specific mana to cast an instant or sorcery, you get a free copy of that spell.

How it Resolves Step by Step

When you cast an instant or sorcery, the Amulet's ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of your spell. First, the Amulet gains a counter. Second, the game checks if there are four or more counters. If so, you may remove them to transform the artifact. Note that the transformation happens immediately during the resolution of the trigger, but you cannot use the resulting Primal Wellspring to pay for the spell that caused the final transformation, as that spell has already been paid for and cast.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to reduce colored mana costs; Primal Amulet only reduces the generic portion of a spell's cost. Additionally, remember that the copy created by Primal Wellspring is put directly onto the stack. This means the copy is not 'cast,' so it won't trigger the Amulet's ability again or other 'whenever you cast' effects. Finally, if you use multiple mana from different Wellsprings (or multiple activations) for one spell, you get a copy for each mana spent.

When to Play It

Play Primal Amulet early when you have a hand full of interaction or card draw. It is particularly effective in decks that use spells with an 'X' in their cost, as the copy will retain the value of X chosen for the original. Because the transformation is optional, you can also hold off on transforming if you prioritize the {1} discount over the copying effect, though the ability to double your spells is usually superior.

Interaction examples

Generating the Checklist

Ixalan Checklist

Because Primal Amulet is a double-faced card, you can use the Ixalan Checklist in your deck to represent it. When you cast the Amulet and eventually transform it into Primal Wellspring, you swap the checklist for the actual card (or flip the card inside the sleeve) to show it is now a land.

Mana Efficiency and Casting

Commander's Sphere

If you have Primal Amulet on the battlefield and cast a spell using mana from Commander's Sphere, the Amulet will still receive a charge counter. The cost reduction from the Amulet helps you save mana, allowing you to keep Commander's Sphere untapped for its sacrifice ability if needed later in the turn.

Creature Spells and Counters

Solemn Simulacrum

If you cast Solemn Simulacrum, Primal Amulet does not get a charge counter, nor is the cost of the Simulacrum reduced. This is because the Amulet specifically looks for 'Instant or Sorcery' spells, and Solemn Simulacrum is an 'Artifact Creature' spell.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Effects that reduce the generic mana cost of a spell can't reduce that spell's colored mana requirements.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Primal Amulet's last ability triggers once you've completed casting a spell. Notably, you can't use Primal Wellspring to pay for the spell that gives Primal Amulet its fourth counter.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If a fourth charge counter is put on Primal Amulet by something other than the resolution of its ability (as modified by any applicable replacement effects), you won't be able to remove those counters and transform it yet. You'll have to wait until you cast an instant or sorcery spell again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
The mana produced by Primal Wellspring can be spent on anything, not just an instant or sorcery spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Any instant or sorcery spell you spend the mana on will be copied, not just one that requires targets.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
The delayed triggered ability from Primal Wellspring's mana ability will trigger even if Primal Wellspring leaves the battlefield before that mana is spent.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If more than one mana produced by a Primal Wellspring is spent to cast a single instant or sorcery spell, the delayed triggered ability associated with each mana spent will trigger. That many copies will be created. It doesn't matter if this mana was produced by one Primal Wellspring or by multiple Primal Wellsprings.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Primal Wellspring's delayed triggered ability can copy the spell even if that spell is countered before the ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If a copy is created, you control the copy. That copy is created on the stack, so it's not "cast." Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won't trigger. The copy will then resolve like a normal spell, after players get a chance to cast spells and activate abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#11September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will have the same targets as the spell it's copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can't choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
No other card is named in this ruling.
#12September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied spell is modal (that is, it says "Choose one —" or the like), the copy will have the same mode. You can't choose a different one.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#13September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied spell has an X whose value was determined as it was cast, the copy has the same value of X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#14September 29, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
You can't choose to pay any additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too. For example, if you sacrifice a 3/3 creature to cast Fling, and you copy it, the copy of Fling will also deal 3 damage to its target.
No other card is named in this ruling.