What it does
Chroma was an ability word (not a true keyword) from the Eventide set that counts the number of a specific mana symbol across relevant cards. For example, a spell with chroma might deal damage equal to the number of green mana symbols in the mana costs of permanents you control. It's a way to reward heavy commitment to a single color.
The most common confusion: chroma counts mana symbols, not mana spent. A card costing 
adds two to the count even though you only need to control it, not pay for it. Also, chroma typically counts symbols in mana costs, not abilities or text, and only on cards in the specified zone (usually permanents you control, or sometimes your hand).
In Commander, chroma has been functionally replaced by "devotion," which works the same way. You'll rarely see chroma cards, but Primalcrux and similar Eventide pieces can reward mono-colored, symbol-dense boards.








