When playing a unit with Portal Rescue (which lets you play without paying its cost), do you still need to pay the additional cost to Accelerate it?

Ruling: When a card effect references "Cost", it only refers to the printed energy and power cost. You still must pay all additional costs and may pay optional additional costs like Accelerate if you want to use them.

Sequence:

  • Portal Rescue allows you to play the unit without paying its printed cost
  • If you want to Accelerate the unit, you must still pay the Accelerate cost (1 energy and 1 power)

Nuances:

  • This principle applies to all additional costs (mandatory ones like Cruel Patron, and optional ones like Accelerate)