Can Spectral Matron be used to play a 4 energy Cruel Patron, given that Matron's condition states no more than 3 energy and 1 power?

Ruling: No, Spectral Matron cannot be used to play Cruel Patron. Matron looks at the printed cost of the card, and Cruel Patron's printed cost is 4 energy, which exceeds Matron's limit of 3.

Nuances:

• The cost limit on Matron is not ignored even though Matron sets the actual cost to 0
• The restriction checks the printed cost on the card, not the modified cost you would pay