When using improvise to cast a spell with in its cost, first choose the value for X. That choice, plus any cost increases or decreases, will determine the spell's total cost. Then you can tap artifacts you control to help pay that cost. For example, if you activate the last ability of Archway of Innovation and then cast Wrath of the Skies (a spell with mana cost ), choosing 3 as the value of X, the total cost is . If you tap two artifacts, you'll have to pay .

If an artifact you control has a mana ability with  in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with improvise will result in the artifact being tapped before you pay the spell's costs. You won't be able to tap it again for improvise. Similarly, if you sacrifice an artifact to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with improvise, that artifact won't be on the battlefield when you pay the spell's costs, so you won't be able to tap it for improvise.

You must already control an Island as Archway of Innovation enters the battlefield for it to enter untapped. If it enters the battlefield at the same time as an Island when you control no other Islands, it will enter tapped.

Multiple instances of improvise are redundant.

Because improvise isn't an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.

When calculating a spell's total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Improvise applies after the total cost is calculated. Improvise doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.