I have noticed recently that the variable mana costs--which I usually see in the renewal (being 5 or 8 or whatever, instead of only 4) for higher-level and/or out-of-Realm spells--apparently affect the initial casting cost, as well...
...including happening in the Bard's favor.
I don't recall what the Stone Trolls/55th in Thanatoph wear, but I think it's a Ranger spell. And when I hit them with Unravel, on the initial cast, some times I see that it costs only NINE (9) mana to start.
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My assumption is that it's determining there to be a +5 mana penalty to the renewal cost (normally 4). But then it turns around and only charges me the 9 mana, rather than 13 that I expect for the initial cast.
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Again, I'm not complaining about it, I just want to know if it's intended or what. Normally, you can't ever cast a spell for less than its listed cost (and Renewals don't count, because you HAVE already paid the list price to start it).
