<p>Yes, you <strong>improvise</strong> to pay the <strong>total costs</strong> of a spell and kicker is an <strong>additional cost</strong>.</p>

<p>This is per Comprehensive Rules:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>702.125a Improvise is a static ability that functions while the spell with improvise <strong>is on the stack</strong>. “Improvise” means “For each generic mana in this spell’s <strong>total cost</strong>, you may tap an untapped artifact you control rather than pay that mana.”</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Total cost is defined in the Casting Spells rules:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>601.2f The player determines the <strong>total cost</strong> of the spell. Usually this is just the mana cost. Some spells have <strong>additional</strong> or alternative costs. (...)</p>
</blockquote>

<p>And kicker is an additional cost:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>702.32a Kicker is a static ability that functions while the spell with kicker <strong>is on the stack</strong>. “Kicker [cost]” means “You may pay an <strong>additional</strong> [cost] as you cast this spell.”</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-20T15:27:56.513Z
But isn't cost supposed to be paid before the spell is put on the stack?
Acccumulation
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-20T16:21:13.400Z
@Acccumulation: See rules 601.2a, 601.2f. First you put the spell on the stack, then you choose targets, then you determine the cost, and finally you pay the cost.
Dietrich Epp
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-20T12:01:07.197Z
2018-06-20T12:01:07.197Z
piotrek
<p>If you have an <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=423827" rel="noreferrer">Inspiring Statuary</a> on the field can you pay UU and tap two artifacts to play a kicked <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=433018" rel="noreferrer">Into the Roil</a>?</p>

<magic-the-gathering>
Can you tap artifacts to an improvise cost to help pay for kicker costs?
Neil Meyer
# Can you tap artifacts to an improvise cost to help pay for kicker costs?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-06-20)

If you have an [Inspiring Statuary](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=423827) on the field can you pay UU and tap two artifacts to play a kicked [Into the Roil](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=433018)?

**Tags:** magic-the-gathering


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-06-20. Score: 14 | Accepted answer

Yes, you **improvise** to pay the **total costs** of a spell and kicker is an **additional cost**.

This is per Comprehensive Rules:

> 702.125a Improvise is a static ability that functions while the spell with improvise **is on the stack**. “Improvise” means “For each generic mana in this spell’s **total cost**, you may tap an untapped artifact you control rather than pay that mana.”

Total cost is defined in the Casting Spells rules:

> 601.2f The player determines the **total cost** of the spell. Usually this is just the mana cost. Some spells have **additional** or alternative costs. (...)

And kicker is an additional cost:

> 702.32a Kicker is a static ability that functions while the spell with kicker **is on the stack**. “Kicker [cost]” means “You may pay an **additional** [cost] as you cast this spell.”

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: But isn't cost supposed to be paid before the spell is put on the stack?  
> **username_3**: @username_2: See rules 601.2a, 601.2f. First you put the spell on the stack, then you choose targets, then you determine the cost, and finally you pay the cost.  

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