The Battlefield

Improvisation Capstone

$10.49

Saruman, the White Hand

$0.65

AI DraftSep 5, 2026

Improvisation Capstone + Saruman, the White Hand

AI draft — not yet human-reviewed. Check citations and flag anything that looks wrong. How pages are reviewed.

Overview

Yes. The Paradigm copy of Improvisation Capstone is a spell you cast, so Saruman, the White Hand’s triggered ability sees that casting and will amass Orcs equal to that spell’s mana value. Casting the copy from exile is still casting a spell , the copy has the characteristics (including mana value) of the card it’s a copy of , and Saruman’s ability triggers on casting a noncreature spell and uses that spell’s mana value for X . Also note you cast the copy “without paying its mana cost,” so you can’t choose alternative costs but you may pay additional costs .

Step 1

You resolve the original Improvisation Capstone; its Paradigm instruction exiles the spell and creates the option to cast a copy from exile at the beginning of each of your first main phases.

Step 2

At the beginning of your first main phase you may choose to cast the copy from exile. That action is still casting a spell (putting the spell on the stack and following casting steps) .

Step 3

The copy has the characteristics of the card it’s a copy of, including its mana value (so the copy’s mana value is the same as the printed mana value of Improvisation Capstone) .

Step 4

When you cast that noncreature copy, Saruman’s ability triggers because it triggers “Whenever you cast a noncreature spell,” and the trigger’s X is that spell’s mana value .

Step 5

When Saruman’s triggered ability resolves you perform the amass action: if you don’t control an Army create a 0/0 black Orc Army token, then put X +1/+1 counters on an Army you control and make it an Orc if it isn’t already .

Step 6

Because you cast the copy “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t use alternative costs when casting it, though you may pay additional costs if relevant .

Resolution

When you cast the Paradigm copy of Improvisation Capstone from exile, Saruman’s ability triggers and you amass Orcs equal to that spell’s mana value (the copy’s mana value is the same as the original) . You cast the copy without paying its mana cost, so you can’t choose alternative costs but may pay additional costs if applicable .

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