When using skills that spend mana, ward is not being granted at all. There is zero ward gain.
This was tested by stacking to 141% of mana spent gained as ward, using the fastest attack possible to proc meteors from harbinger of stars (in order to quickly prompt high mana usage without going negative).
It is clear to see the mana depreciate by large amounts quite often but ward goes untouched. This does not fulfill “mana spent gained as ward” as the only part that happens is the mana is spent.
“Mana spent gained as ward” means mana you spent activating an ability, not triggered effects.
Mike_W (EHG):
… spending mana refers to the activation of an ability. Culnivar’s Claim impact on your mana is the effect of a triggered ability rather than the cost of an ability.
