In the IRC chat as well as on Facebook, I have been discussing with some of you the Surge mechanic.

The official rules for surge are as follows:

702.115. Surge

702.115a Surge is a static ability that functions while the spell with surge is on the stack. “Surge ” means “You may pay rather than pay this spell’s mana cost as you cast this spell if you or one of your teammates has cast another spell this turn.” Paying a spell’s surge cost follows the rules for paying alternative costs in rules 601.2b and 601.2f–h.

The release notes for Surge further state:

If an instant or sorcery spell cast for its surge cost is copied, the copy didn’t have its surge cost paid. Any additional effects that are based on whether the surge cost was paid won’t apply for the copy.

Does this not contradict 706.10? Particularly:

706.10. To copy a spell, activated ability, or triggered ability means to put a copy of it onto the stack; a
copy of a spell isn’t cast and a copy of an activated ability isn’t activated. A copy of a spell or
ability copies both the characteristics of the spell or ability and all decisions made for it, including
modes, targets, the value of X, and additional or alternative costs. (See rule 601, “Casting Spells.”)

This has potential further implication for mechanics such as Awaken.

As a counter-example to the Surge mechanic working this way we can look at the Prowl mechanic. The Prowl mechanic works in very much the same way, however we know that Prowl costs are copied: http://www.starcitygames.com/php/news/print.php?Article=15722

Why is Surge not the same?

To summarise: Do the release notes for the Surge mechanic contradict 706.10?


UPDATE:

Tabak has posted about this on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TabakRules/status/689172514602274816

The release notes were in error and copies of cards cast for their surge cost will also be treated as having their surge costs paid.

Edited Winter (Jan. 18, 2016 07:02:33 PM)