jynx316
2/2 Zombie
Luck? It's just a roll of the dice...
Posts: 107
Favorite Set: Urza's Saga or the entirety of Invasion Block
Color Alignment: White, Green
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Post by jynx316 on Jul 24, 2018 16:41:45 GMT
Just had this idea strike me, and jotted down the idea. Seeing it on paper makes it seem more complicated then I meant. Would you guys be willing to help me with it? The first is:
Bloodletting - When ~ deals combat damage to another creature, ~ gains that many +1/+1 counters. If ~ has any +1/+1 counters on it, and does not real combat damage to another creature, remove one +1/+1 counter from it.
Its the signature ability of Bat people. The idea is, when they damage a creature, they get stronger by drinking their blood. However, if they don't continue to feast, they slowly do back down to their starting numbers.
The second is for Mutants. I wanted them to be very fluid, literally and figuratively, constantly changing, but not necessarily under their own wishes. So, I came up with this:
Distort M - Pay M, and overturn the top card of your library. If the overturned card is a creature, ~ gains either the Power, Toughness, or Keyword of that creature until the end of turn. Place the overturned card on the bottom of your library. Any player may activate this ability, whenever a Sorcery may be played.
I think the wording is off on this one, because I want anyone to be able to Distort the creature, but by using their own library, not just yours. However, I don't want it done in such a way that it could be cheesed. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
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Post by Tesagk on Jul 24, 2018 17:03:13 GMT
I wish I could offer some help, but I'll just say good luck. These are going to be difficult to balance and template correctly, I hope someone can help you figure it out.
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kinotherapy
6/6 Wurm
stupid kor i just fell out of the floor
Posts: 322
Favorite Card: Ruthless Raider
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Post by kinotherapy on Jul 24, 2018 18:45:23 GMT
Alrighty Bloodletting - When ~ deals combat damage to another creature, ~ gains that many +1/+1 counters. This seems sound, if quite strong (so it doubles p/t every time it attacks or blocks?) though the wording is off. It's hard to evaluate without addressing the next part though: What? If it doesn't do combat damage? Is it supposed to be like per turn or per combat? If it is, it'll always lose a counter from attacking and not blocking and vice verse, and if your creature threatens to double in size it's pretty unlikely your opponent will chump block, making it a sort of pseudo-evasion ability. So there seems to be a lot going on here. One good way to check if your keyword is too wordy is to put it on a card, so here's how I tried writing it: Quite long. A lot could be shaved off by removing the "any player" aspect as I really don't think it's worth the trouble, but I think the mechanic has other problems anyway. Mechanics and abilities that play off the top card of your library will always be exploited to get as much as possible for as little work, so the real use of this mechanic will just be to flip Emrakul, the Aeons Torn and then attack with your 15/15 and destroy 6 permanents. Balancing the possibility of this while also making it playable in any other context would be next to impossible.
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jynx316
2/2 Zombie
Luck? It's just a roll of the dice...
Posts: 107
Favorite Set: Urza's Saga or the entirety of Invasion Block
Color Alignment: White, Green
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Post by jynx316 on Jul 24, 2018 20:50:08 GMT
I actually had a response to this earlier, but the site crashed, and lost everything. To sum up, for Bloodletting, I was specifically thinking attacking, not blocking, so I can see where that could become troublesome. Maybe changing it to a static number of +1/+1s, and they can't gain anymore while they have some?
As for Distort, its only supposed to be one of the three, not all of them. So, using your example of flipping Emrakul of the I Win Lols, void boy would either be a 15/1, a 2/15, or a 2/2 with Annihilator 6. Though, again, I can see where it could end up being troublesome. Maybe having a different Keyword, one for Power, Toughness, and Keyword, only usable once a turn, so you get what you get.
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impspiritguide
2/2 Zombie
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Set Hub: http://magicseteditor.boards.net/thread/256/pokemon-thread
Formerly Known As: Imp Elemental Spirit Guide
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Post by impspiritguide on Jul 25, 2018 1:30:41 GMT
Bloodletting is probably too powerful to put on very many cards if you gain equal to the damage created doubling a creatures size is a very potent ability especially if that doubling is permanent. Based on flavor you are looking for, I would mechanic the ability from the Sengir Vampire it was a mechanic before they called things like that mechanic. They used to put it on vampires and bats and other black creatures.
Distort is honestly just a mess waiting to happen, abilities like that tend to be the star attraction in potent combo decks so even if you created cards with this style of mechanic you would only want one in the set otherwise it unbalances the playfield. For the flavor you are looking for I would search through gatherer for dopplegangers and shapeshifter, try to find something shorter you like that fits your intended flavor.
The other option for Distort I could see is to link it with the beginning of the upkeep. This would keep players from linking it to a infinite cycle and milling through their deck. You wouldn't have to worry about making it Sorcery speed either then. You would still need to be careful about putting it on too many cards though as you run the potential to allow someone to cast a 12 / * for cheap if they put the correct other creatures in the deck. You would also need to be very careful with the other cards in the set think about a cheap creature gaining Annihilate: 5. Personally I would probably remove the keyword ability although I love the flavor it creates (reminds me of Xaxor's Peculiar Golem from Inquest).
Just my musings take them with at grain of salt and keep having fun.
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Post by grishnax on Jul 25, 2018 3:17:33 GMT
Honestly, ignoring balance concerns, I don't think Distort should be a keyword. The complexity is really high and there isn't much design space. I could could see it on a one-off mythic, but as a mechanic, it's definitely a no-go.
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Zuty
3/3 Beast
Return to Ravnica 2 Hype!
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Post by Zuty on Jul 25, 2018 5:26:15 GMT
Bloodletting X - Whenever ~ deals combat damage to a creature, put X +1/+1 counter(s) on it. At the beginning of your end step, if this creature didn’t deal combat damage to a creature this turn, remove X +1/+1 counter(s) from it.
Still shows that they get strong when feasting upon blood, but then quickly shrink back down if they don't. And even though I set this up as being an X value, I think anything over 2 may be a tad much. Granted, you need to block or be blocked by a creature for it to work there are Lure and Provoke effects out there.
And I agree with Grishnax. That seems like a cool ability for a standalone and/or card, but it's way too much for a keyword. I do like it, but not everything needs to be or should be keyworded.
~Zuty
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jynx316
2/2 Zombie
Luck? It's just a roll of the dice...
Posts: 107
Favorite Set: Urza's Saga or the entirety of Invasion Block
Color Alignment: White, Green
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Post by jynx316 on Jul 25, 2018 16:05:52 GMT
Ok. stepping back, I think Distort won't work in the way I was hoping. So, in the very VERY early stages I'm in for something new, I'm thinking I will use Morph, Transmute, and Transform for the Mutants abilities. I want them to be very fluid like, ever changing, and without something very complicated (like Distort), I think these would be the best fit.
I do like the reworking of Bloodletting. Again, my original was somewhat clunky, but I like the version Zuty suggested.
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jynx316
2/2 Zombie
Luck? It's just a roll of the dice...
Posts: 107
Favorite Set: Urza's Saga or the entirety of Invasion Block
Color Alignment: White, Green
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Post by jynx316 on Jul 27, 2018 3:59:52 GMT
Just had the idea for this. Thoughts?
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Zuty
3/3 Beast
Return to Ravnica 2 Hype!
Posts: 172
Favorite Card: Serra Angel
Favorite Set: Future Sight
Color Alignment: White, Blue, Red, Green, Colorless
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Post by Zuty on Jul 27, 2018 5:45:51 GMT
Just had the idea for this. Thoughts? Front should be worded: "When ~ is turned face up, transform it."
As for the strength of it, it seems to be on the way too good side. Sure your entire investment is but even then it just seems too good. Also, normally doesn't force other players to sacrifice things (random or otherwise). It's a good start though.
~Zuty
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kinotherapy
6/6 Wurm
stupid kor i just fell out of the floor
Posts: 322
Favorite Card: Ruthless Raider
Favorite Set: Rising Tides
Color Alignment: Blue, Black, Red
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Post by kinotherapy on Jul 28, 2018 1:55:19 GMT
It's strange because you would never want a vanilla 1/1 for , and if you morph it flips anyway, so you actually never see the front side. I don't see much point of this being a double sided card if only side matters.
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jynx316
2/2 Zombie
Luck? It's just a roll of the dice...
Posts: 107
Favorite Set: Urza's Saga or the entirety of Invasion Block
Color Alignment: White, Green
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Post by jynx316 on Aug 14, 2018 0:40:12 GMT
Had a random idea for a Keyword. I already know it will be on the strong side, but I think it could be interesting.
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Post by ZephyrPhantom on Aug 14, 2018 1:48:15 GMT
What's the difference between Dance and Dash?
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jynx316
2/2 Zombie
Luck? It's just a roll of the dice...
Posts: 107
Favorite Set: Urza's Saga or the entirety of Invasion Block
Color Alignment: White, Green
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Post by jynx316 on Aug 14, 2018 2:43:38 GMT
What's the difference between Dance and Dash? Ummmm... the fact that I didn't know Dash was even a thing. Looks like I missed something. Nevermind.
Though, I did imagine anything that has Dance to have a "comes into play" effect.
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Post by elf491 on Oct 3, 2018 15:58:52 GMT
Just had the idea for this. Thoughts?
I agree that the double flip thing is kinda silly. Honestly, with the direction you seem to be going here, you don't even need a keyword. Just make your mutants flip cards. This makes it a lot simpler, and you can choose basically whatever you want as their flip condition. My only other suggestion would be morph, paired with small 'when this is turned face up' effects and a few things that can turn themselves face down again. But really, at that point, you're almost running regular flip cards anyway.
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Post by elf491 on Nov 9, 2018 2:46:08 GMT
Looking for feedback on a few keyword ideas, and ideas for a few more for a set I am in the process of attempting to make.
1. Mirage [cost]: You may cast this card for its Mirage cost as though it had flash. If you do, it gains 'Whenever this permanent becomes the target of a spell or ability, return it to its owner's hand.' That might be a bit strong, as it can really hamper your opponent's ability to remove your things, so it might be better if it returns at the next end step. Represented in White, Red, and Blue.
2. Solitude: As long as you control exactly one creature, [effect]. Represented in Green, White, and Black. I like the flavor of this ability, but can see some difficulties in actually implementing it in a way that is actually playable. Would it be better if it still activated with a larger number of creatures, say 3?
3. Looking for a mechanic that would go well with a Red, White, and Black faction. Thematically occupies a giant desert with lots of rugged cliffs and whatnot. Ideas based on existing keywords suggest that Morph and traps would be thematic, but I'm not sure if there is a way to create a new spin on things. Ideas would be appreciated.
4. The last faction would be Green, Red, and Blue. Based on a small chain of volcanic islands, covered in lush jungle and home to savage and primal creatures. The keyword idea I have is Territorial, which is basically soulbond except the creature bonds to a land instead of another creature. There would then be various effects based on whether it is bonded or not. I'm not totally on board with it though, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
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