Tombstalker

[Lemuria]

If I delve Tombstalker enough to reduce it to BB, can it be countered by Chalice -> 2, or a 2cc cost card via Counterbalance?

[Ewokslayer]

No, regardless of how any spell is cast (cost reducer, evoke, kicker, buyback, convoke, etc) its Converted mana cost is what is in the upper right corner (or the upper left for timeshifted cards)

[Nihil Credo]

No. With the exception of X-spells, a card's CMC is the printed one and never ever changes, no matter what effects apply.

[mujadaddy]

Certainly not with Counterbalance -- it doesn't look at cost paid, just the cost on the card. I'm 98% sure that it's the same with Chalice -- the CMC does not equal the cost paid to cast it -- That's why you need to show a 5 to 'counter' a Shriekmaw, no matter how you cast it.

[Lemuria]

Understood

Thank you, guys.

[arsenalpow]

Delve is part of the casting cost correct?

An opponent couldn't crypt in response?

[quicksilver]

An opponent could not crypt in response.

Removeing cards from the graveyard is part of the cost of playing it and is done before the spell even goes on the stack.

[Mordenkain]

While were and this matter, it means that with Chalice 1 and Trinisphere in play, a 1 mana spell will still be countered by trinisphere, even though the player would have to pay 3 mana to play it in the first place?

[freakish777]

While were and this matter, it means that with Chalice 1 and Trinisphere in play, a 1 mana spell will still be countered by trinisphere, even though the player would have to pay 3 mana to play it in the first place?

Correct.

Additionally, you have Trinisphere out and your opponent has Counterbalance out. You attempt to play Chalice with x = 1. You must pay 3. Your opponent reveals a 2cc spell of the top and counters your Chalice with Counterbalance...