Trinisphere + Shattering spree

[Waikiki]

My opponent a competent TES player cast spree using 3 mana.

I controll trinisphere + chalice for 1.

According to him the replicate cost includes the 2 replicate spells so he is able to cast 2 replicate + 1 normal spree and trini will aprove this because together it costs 3.

Now I always thought it goes like: I play spree casting 3 mana and then go replicate all the stuff.

Can anybody explain how this exactly works?

[diffy]

Here's the relevant rule.



502.52. Replicate

502.52a Replicate is a keyword that represents two abilities. The first is a static ability that functions while the spell is on the stack. The second is a triggered ability that functions while the spell is on the stack. "Replicate [cost]" means "As an additional cost to play this spell, you may pay [cost] any number of times" and "When you play this spell, if a replicate cost was paid for it, copy it for each time its replicate cost was paid. If the spell has any targets, you may choose new targets for any number of the copies." Paying a spell's replicate cost follows the rules for paying additional costs in rules 409.1b and 409.1f-h.

[...]

# Each copy is separate. If one of them is countered (including the actual spell card), the rest remain on the stack.


Replicate is very similar to the Storm keyword ability. You pay the Replicate cost when you play the Replicate spell, before any other spell or ability can counter your spell. Even if the original spell is countered, the Replicate triggered ability will go on the stack, this ability will create the appropriate number of copies, and the copies will resolve as normal because they are directly put onto the stack by the Replicate ability and therefore not 'played' so that Chalice can't counter them.

As Replicate is an additional cost, you have to pay it while casting the spell, therefore if you replicate Shattering Spree 2 times, you won't have to pay anything for Trinisphere as the spell now costs 3 (1+2*1) on the stack.

A similar question was also previously answered here (http://mtgthesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8630).