<p>It looks like it should be identified with just black:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>903.4  ... The color identity of a card is the color or colors of any mana symbols in that card’s mana cost or rules text, plus any colors defined by its characteristic-defining abilities (see rule 604.3) or color indicator (see rule 204).</p>
<p>604.3. Some static abilities are characteristic-defining abilities. A characteristic-defining ability conveys information about an object’s characteristics that would normally be found elsewhere on that object (such as in its mana cost, type line, or power/toughness box) or overrides information found elsewhere on that object. Characteristic-defining abilities function in all zones. They also function outside the game.</p>
<p>604.3a A static ability is a characteristic-defining ability if it meets the following criteria:<br />
(1) It defines an object’s colors, subtypes, power, or toughness;<br />
(2) it is printed on the card it affects, it was granted to the token it affects by the effect that created the token, or it was acquired by the object it affects as the result of a copy effect or text-changing effect;<br />
(3) it does not directly affect the characteristics of any other objects;<br />
(4) it is not an ability that an object grants to itself; and<br />
(5) it does not set the values of such characteristics only if certain conditions are met.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The last clause (5) indicates that since the color change is conditional, it is not a characteristic-defining ability, and hence is not part of the color identity.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-19T21:00:24.160Z
Another way to look at it is Pyroblast, any card with protection from a specific color, or even zendikar/onslought fetch lands. Referencing a color or card you cannot play is OK.
Andrew
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-30T21:17:13.733Z
2015-12-30T21:17:13.733Z
2020-06-17T09:01:24.697Z
JonTheMon
<p>Is it possible to run a <a class="mtg-autocard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Repentant%20Vampire">Repentant Vampire</a> in a Grixis (Red Blue Black) Commander deck? I don't see anything in the official rulings, and the card doesn't have a white mana symbol on it. I'm leaning towards yes, as I see mono black decks running it, but the double faced card ruling makes me wonder.</p>

<magic-the-gathering><mtg-commander><mtg-color-identity>
Can I include a card in my EDH deck that mentions another color?
Robert Wertz
# Can I include a card in my EDH deck that mentions another color?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-30)

Is it possible to run a [Repentant Vampire](https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Repentant%20Vampire) in a Grixis (Red Blue Black) Commander deck? I don't see anything in the official rulings, and the card doesn't have a white mana symbol on it. I'm leaning towards yes, as I see mono black decks running it, but the double faced card ruling makes me wonder.

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering, mtg-commander, mtg-color-identity


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-12-30. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

It looks like it should be identified with just black:

> 903.4 ... The color identity of a card is the color or colors of any mana symbols in that card’s mana cost or rules text, plus any colors defined by its characteristic-defining abilities (see rule 604.3) or color indicator (see rule 204).
>
> 604.3. Some static abilities are characteristic-defining abilities. A characteristic-defining ability conveys information about an object’s characteristics that would normally be found elsewhere on that object (such as in its mana cost, type line, or power/toughness box) or overrides information found elsewhere on that object. Characteristic-defining abilities function in all zones. They also function outside the game.
>
> 604.3a A static ability is a characteristic-defining ability if it meets the following criteria:  
> (1) It defines an object’s colors, subtypes, power, or toughness;  
> (2) it is printed on the card it affects, it was granted to the token it affects by the effect that created the token, or it was acquired by the object it affects as the result of a copy effect or text-changing effect;  
> (3) it does not directly affect the characteristics of any other objects;  
> (4) it is not an ability that an object grants to itself; and  
> (5) it does not set the values of such characteristics only if certain conditions are met.

The last clause (5) indicates that since the color change is conditional, it is not a characteristic-defining ability, and hence is not part of the color identity.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Another way to look at it is Pyroblast, any card with protection from a specific color, or even zendikar/onslought fetch lands. Referencing a color or card you cannot play is OK.  

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