When using improvise to cast a spell with {X} 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 {X}{W}{W}), choosing 3 as the value of X, the total cost is {3}{W}{W}. If you tap two artifacts, you'll have to pay {1}{W}{W}.
Archway of Innovation
If an artifact you control has a mana ability with {T} 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.
Magic: The Gathering · ™ & © Wizards of the Coast · Illus. Yeong-Hao Han
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