Can "Spell Economics" eliminate the need to pay life points for the effect
of "Mausoleum of the Emperor"?
I for one don't think it is possible. My reasoning? It looks like the payment
is used to determine which monsters are appropriate to summon with its effect
and since no payment was made, the reference is lost.
Any way, a clarification on this subject would be greatly appreciated since many
players are starting to consider using this move.
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ANSWER:
This question just won't go away, so I'll post it to the list to keep it from returning again.
"Spell Economics" prevents you from paying the Life Point ACTIVATION costs of Spell Cards. This means the Life Points you pay to initially activate (place face-up on the field) a Spell Card.
"Mausoleum of the Emperor" has no activation cost. Rather, you pay Life Points to activate its effect once it's already face-up on the field. "Spell Economics" will not prevent you from paying Life Points here.
So, it's not possible for "Spell Economics" to be used with "Mausoleum of the Emperor", but not for the reason you initially thought.
Incidentally, the official rulings of "Spell Economics" found on UDE's website would have helped you come to this conclusion as well.
______________________________
Steve Okegawa
UDE Netrep Rules Coordinator
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG
steve.netrep@gmail.com