I honestly don't think I've seen such immediate and laughable power creep in any game, ever.
I believe that "Scout" is just an awful mechanic. I already have no trouble killing my opponent in 3-5 turns without Scout or Rally. Adding in Rally, I can consistently do it in 3/4. Scout, though? Oh boy, especially with Miss Fortune and her other support cards. There's really no earlygame counterplay to it. Not only is Scout on top of Rally just a bad design, it's unfun for anyone playing against it.
Being able to take cards from your opponents deck. This is another really bad interaction in the game because it takes anything good(because if your deck is well-made, everything is good) out of your deck, thins your deck, and allows your opponents to use it. Thinning your deck is normally a good thing, but not when your opponent gains control of them.
Especially with the new "Toss" mechanic. Being able to shred your opponents deck and draw from it, denying them the ability to even play their deck is ridiculous. You'd think that alternative win strategies would be harder to combo or set up, but it isn't because there are just some cards that can instantly put your opponent on a 4 turn clock and you just stall to win.
The "Deep" mechanic is way too good and too easy to achieve. This one needs little explanation, as I'm sure everyone know why. +3/+3 just for playing your deck for 3-5 turns on mid-to-lategame cards is the most confusing thing I've ever seen. Why make big creatures bigger when they already cost so much with such good affects? Feels like they just wanted to stuff mechanics/keywords into the game
That's enough of the rant, now for a list of cards that are "broken" and some suggested changes that could help fix them.
Too strong on offense to be a 3/3 for 3 with her abilities, should be more susceptible to removal. Suggested fix, Miss Fortune Level 1, [3/2], I've seen you attack 5 times, rest is the same. Miss Fortune Level 2, [4/3], Overwhelm, When allies attack, deal 1 to battling enemies and the enemy Nexus. Attack: deal 1 to battling enemies and the enemy Nexus. This change makes her a little more susceptible to early removal as an offensive card and takes away some of her overpowered ability with Scouts and Rally to deal 6+ to everything every turn. Also gives you the ability to deal with scouts without just barely trying to survive them. Makes her less oppressive, but keeps her ability to have her effect proc plenty of times.
This ability is ridiculous, not much explanation needed, puts you on a 4-turn counter, not including other cards that easily lessen the counter. Suggested fix, Maokai Level 2, Regeneration, Round Start: Toss 4 cards from your opponents deck, Whenever cards are "Tossed," summon a Sapling.
Allows you to thin your opponents board, making it harder to go wider AND higher. Ridiculous. Suggested change 1: Grant an ally "I can't die." This allows you to still go over with Overwhelm if they slap it on stupid big creatures. Suggested change 2: Grant an ally "I can't take damage." The card may still be destroyed by destroy effects, but immune to damage. Suggested change 3: Grant an ally Indestructible. A new keyword that makes something immune to being outright destroyed. Suggested change 4: Grant an ally "Round Start: I gain a Barrier."
Insanely powerful, glad they nerfed him, but he could use a bit more work. Suggested fix, increase cost to 10. This change would make sure they wouldn't be able to do anything else other than play him. His effect is too good at closing out games and if you hold 3 spell mana, there are some 4-cost spells you can abuse in the same turn.
Really has no reason for Fearsome and becomes a little too big for no real reason. Suggested fix, Nautilus Level 1, [2/8] and the same, minus Fearsome. Nautilus Level 2, [10/10] the same. This at least lets him deal some damage before "Deep", helping mitigate your opponent just go wider than you and drops fearsome because it's unnecessary, especially with Tough. Being able to drop Sea Monsters on the field is already enough power to be able to close out a game.
Bad interaction, unfun. When you create a copy of an enemy card, reduce its cost by 1, Plunder: create a copy of a non-champion card from the enemy deck and add it to your hand.
Pilfred GoodsBADCARDNAME
Bad interaction, unfun. Suggested fix, create a copy of a random non-champion card in the enemy deck, Plunder: do it again, rest is the same.
Too situational, not good enough to even want to keep alive. Harder to use than he is to play around. Suggested fix, Once per turn, stop all enemy spells and skills targeting me and give me "Elusive" this round.
Nr.5: „On your note that card art isn't just a product on the company.. it really is."
No. It isn't
I'm currently studying Graphic Desing. One of the first Things they tell you is, that the Works that you produce for Agencies/Companies/etc. are an extremely Important Part of your Portfolio. You need a Portfolio to be able to apply for a Job as Designer/Artist. Yes, you can't sell those Pieces (usually), but you are more than allowed to show these publically and promote yourself that Way. A great Example for this is ArtStation. There you can find a lot of Concept Art, 3D, etc. You can even find official Artwork on there, like from HS.
And also, if the Card Art does not belong to the Artist, then why do they get Credit for it on the Cards themselves?
You are credited and have some ownership (depending on contracts) of your own work, but you have absolutely no control of what the company does with it unless you specify that in your contract. Most artists can't make this demand as they need a lot of leverage to pull it off.
But you're missing the point of ownership in this case. MtG commissioned the piece, they have paid for it. What they do or do not do with it at that point is up to them. It is their product. If you want to show it independently go ahead, but it was created for the customer. They can't make you stop showing it but they sure as hell can pull it from their product line.
I like the usage of "Phoenix" as your required X; I don't believe anyone has gone that route yet, so kudos to you there. That said I agree with KANSAS - it's too expensive. Also, unlike the Druid or the Shaman, the Mage doesn't have any good way to flood the board with minions, meaning they must do so manually. That's a lot of setup for this payoff.
Thanks both KANSAS and linkblade! I was unsure if the Spell Damage should make it cost more than similar cards, or if it would be fine at a similar 3-4 mana cost, but you're right, since Mage doesn't flood the board, having this cost 3 mana should be good.
Yeah, I voted through all the cards and was surprised to not see an Phoenix cards. I figured there were going to be lots!
I like the usage of "Phoenix" as your required X; I don't believe anyone has gone that route yet, so kudos to you there. That said I agree with KANSAS - it's too expensive. Also, unlike the Druid or the Shaman, the Mage doesn't have any good way to flood the board with minions, meaning they must do so manually. That's a lot of setup for this payoff.
@anchorm4n, I will give him +1 Health and Taunt. As for the lore, there isn't any. I mainly just wanted an important looking person.
@Xarkkal, I really like the card, but 5 mana and epic is too much. Look at Vivid Spores which costs 1 less, is a rare, and more often than not will summon bigger guys. I would make this a 3 mana rare.
Finally came up with an idea while sitting on a conference call (still on it right now actually). Cutting it close this week, any last minute feedback would be appreciated. I'll try and get some feedback for others who have yet to submit here after this call (I really should start paying attention...)
Wow Flux just casually ignored GOTY contender Bugsnax...
All jokes aside, while I really enjoyed Horizon: Zero Dawn (bought and played it a few months ago) the sequel does indeed look like just 'more of the same'. Which isn't bad per se, but probably not something I'll be picking up the second it gets released.
That new Ratchet and Clank game though... I absolutely loved the series, back when I was a kid, and just as much now that I'm older. Definitely one of the games on top of my priority list to get once I eventually fork over and buy a PS5.
I don't really care about the changes (guess they are ok if people feel degraded by these cards). As a non-US citizen I did not get most of the racial references anyways (certainly would not have realized the KKK one, which is clearly not acceptable for a mainstream card game). I am just slightly worried that they may push this too far in the future (i don't want any racism in my game, but i also don't want it to be totally PC).
Side note: The discussion here is thankfully pretty civilized, over in the MTGA forums some people are freaking out a bit and the tone is not very nice (another proof that this is a really good community and well administrated site). Thanks for that.
I want to ask for one more round of quick feedback before submitting my card.
Mainly what I want to know is if the mana cost and stats are good. I don't want him to be too good against aggro, but I do want him to still be playable. I am considering either reducing his cost, or maybe giving him a keyword like Taunt.
Are some people really being bothered because Wizard is removing cards they probably didn't even know they existed? Does removing those cards you never played and heard of hurt you so much to complain that they are being removed?
If for some reason you do have those cards getting dust in your collection they will surely increase in value, so this is not the reason you are bothered; which means the reason you are bothered is because they are removing some racist cards, which is absurd.
Just because you aren't offendend by those cards doesn't mean other people aren't, is in Wizard's power to remove something they think is offensive (and really, it does make sense when you look at those cards).
For me honestly, the best part of the PS5 unveiling was that Demon's Souls will be on the console. I still remember cracking into that game 10 or so years ago. SOOOOOOOO many game review sites stated that it was the hardest game for anyone and that the rewards weren't the good. Little did those naysayers know is that one game would be the catalyst for other games like it: Dark Souls, Nioh, BloodBorne....
I'm glad to see a woman in the ranks. It took years upon years for MTG tournaments to have women not only show up, but place in top tiers. I know that this level of nerdiness typically gets handed over to men, but I hopeful that more women will start making the brackets.
It's cool that the coronavirus has allowed people like NoHandsGamer legitimately compete for a GM spot where they probably wouldn't have been able to do so otherwise.
Even after things return to normal, I think Blizzard should continue to hold a large portion of their tournaments online.
Goooo NoHands! Prove to the world that your lack of hands is merely a setback!
*I know he has hands. I watch his stream sometimes. What most people don't know is that he doesn't actually have feet. He has some Mecha-Jaraxxus mechanical augments. It's rumored that he's augmented his brain as well.
Completely Broken Cards
I honestly don't think I've seen such immediate and laughable power creep in any game, ever.
I believe that "Scout" is just an awful mechanic. I already have no trouble killing my opponent in 3-5 turns without Scout or Rally. Adding in Rally, I can consistently do it in 3/4. Scout, though? Oh boy, especially with Miss Fortune and her other support cards. There's really no earlygame counterplay to it. Not only is Scout on top of Rally just a bad design, it's unfun for anyone playing against it.
Being able to take cards from your opponents deck. This is another really bad interaction in the game because it takes anything good(because if your deck is well-made, everything is good) out of your deck, thins your deck, and allows your opponents to use it. Thinning your deck is normally a good thing, but not when your opponent gains control of them.
Especially with the new "Toss" mechanic. Being able to shred your opponents deck and draw from it, denying them the ability to even play their deck is ridiculous. You'd think that alternative win strategies would be harder to combo or set up, but it isn't because there are just some cards that can instantly put your opponent on a 4 turn clock and you just stall to win.
The "Deep" mechanic is way too good and too easy to achieve. This one needs little explanation, as I'm sure everyone know why. +3/+3 just for playing your deck for 3-5 turns on mid-to-lategame cards is the most confusing thing I've ever seen. Why make big creatures bigger when they already cost so much with such good affects? Feels like they just wanted to stuff mechanics/keywords into the game
That's enough of the rant, now for a list of cards that are "broken" and some suggested changes that could help fix them.
Cards that are too powerful:
Miss Fortune
Too strong on offense to be a 3/3 for 3 with her abilities, should be more susceptible to removal. Suggested fix, Miss Fortune Level 1, [3/2], I've seen you attack 5 times, rest is the same. Miss Fortune Level 2, [4/3], Overwhelm, When allies attack, deal 1 to battling enemies and the enemy Nexus. Attack: deal 1 to battling enemies and the enemy Nexus. This change makes her a little more susceptible to early removal as an offensive card and takes away some of her overpowered ability with Scouts and Rally to deal 6+ to everything every turn. Also gives you the ability to deal with scouts without just barely trying to survive them. Makes her less oppressive, but keeps her ability to have her effect proc plenty of times.
Maokai
This ability is ridiculous, not much explanation needed, puts you on a 4-turn counter, not including other cards that easily lessen the counter. Suggested fix, Maokai Level 2, Regeneration, Round Start: Toss 4 cards from your opponents deck, Whenever cards are "Tossed," summon a Sapling.
Unyielding Spirit
Allows you to thin your opponents board, making it harder to go wider AND higher. Ridiculous. Suggested change 1: Grant an ally "I can't die." This allows you to still go over with Overwhelm if they slap it on stupid big creatures. Suggested change 2: Grant an ally "I can't take damage." The card may still be destroyed by destroy effects, but immune to damage. Suggested change 3: Grant an ally Indestructible. A new keyword that makes something immune to being outright destroyed. Suggested change 4: Grant an ally "Round Start: I gain a Barrier."
Cards that are slightly overtuned:
Shellshocker
[2/1] with a solid ability that can allow you to avoid trades or just go wider. Suggested change, [1/1], rest is the same.
Commander Ledros
Insanely powerful, glad they nerfed him, but he could use a bit more work. Suggested fix, increase cost to 10. This change would make sure they wouldn't be able to do anything else other than play him. His effect is too good at closing out games and if you hold 3 spell mana, there are some 4-cost spells you can abuse in the same turn.
Cards that should be changed.
Sheriff Lariette Rose
Better than every other big creature that debuffs your opponents creatures, walking power creep. Suggested fix, increase mana cost to 7.
Nautilus
Really has no reason for Fearsome and becomes a little too big for no real reason. Suggested fix, Nautilus Level 1, [2/8] and the same, minus Fearsome. Nautilus Level 2, [10/10] the same. This at least lets him deal some damage before "Deep", helping mitigate your opponent just go wider than you and drops fearsome because it's unnecessary, especially with Tough. Being able to drop Sea Monsters on the field is already enough power to be able to close out a game.
Black Market Merchant
Bad interaction, unfun. When you create a copy of an enemy card, reduce its cost by 1, Plunder: create a copy of a non-champion card from the enemy deck and add it to your hand.
Pilfred GoodsBADCARDNAME
Bad interaction, unfun. Suggested fix, create a copy of a random non-champion card in the enemy deck, Plunder: do it again, rest is the same.
Sleight of Hand
Bad interaction, unfun. Suggested fix, create a copy of a random non-champion card in the enemy hand, rest is the same.
Cards that are too weak.
Fizz
Too situational, not good enough to even want to keep alive. Harder to use than he is to play around. Suggested fix, Once per turn, stop all enemy spells and skills targeting me and give me "Elusive" this round.
Edit: Some clarification.
This Week's Friday Night Magic Features the Momir Emblem!
So much RNG, almost feels like Hearthstone :)
A Love Letter to a Spider
Wait aren't those 5 different people? I mean in every card art I see a coffin dance meme.
7 Magic the Gathering Cards Banned From Play Due to Racial Depictions
You are credited and have some ownership (depending on contracts) of your own work, but you have absolutely no control of what the company does with it unless you specify that in your contract. Most artists can't make this demand as they need a lot of leverage to pull it off.
But you're missing the point of ownership in this case. MtG commissioned the piece, they have paid for it. What they do or do not do with it at that point is up to them. It is their product. If you want to show it independently go ahead, but it was created for the customer. They can't make you stop showing it but they sure as hell can pull it from their product line.
Draw With Riot Competition Winners
If we look what inspired the design of Chonk, then you are very correct :)
A Love Letter to a Spider
Damn, i didnt realize the story was so intricate. That is awesome! I wonder what other story lines have i overlooked, or rather their depth.
I Miss My X - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
Thanks both KANSAS and linkblade! I was unsure if the Spell Damage should make it cost more than similar cards, or if it would be fine at a similar 3-4 mana cost, but you're right, since Mage doesn't flood the board, having this cost 3 mana should be good.
Yeah, I voted through all the cards and was surprised to not see an Phoenix cards. I figured there were going to be lots!
A Love Letter to a Spider
what a simp
I Miss My X - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
I like the usage of "Phoenix" as your required X; I don't believe anyone has gone that route yet, so kudos to you there. That said I agree with KANSAS - it's too expensive. Also, unlike the Druid or the Shaman, the Mage doesn't have any good way to flood the board with minions, meaning they must do so manually. That's a lot of setup for this payoff.
I Miss My X - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
@anchorm4n, I will give him +1 Health and Taunt. As for the lore, there isn't any. I mainly just wanted an important looking person.
@Xarkkal, I really like the card, but 5 mana and epic is too much. Look at Vivid Spores which costs 1 less, is a rare, and more often than not will summon bigger guys. I would make this a 3 mana rare.
Anyone else hyped about the ps5 presentation happening in a few minutes?
Hahaha. For real though, I do want to know more about it because some of those bugs looked absolutely delicious.
Wait, we're not supposed to want to eat bugs...
I Miss My X - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
Finally came up with an idea while sitting on a conference call (still on it right now actually). Cutting it close this week, any last minute feedback would be appreciated. I'll try and get some feedback for others who have yet to submit here after this call (I really should start paying attention...)
Hearthstone Masters Tour Jönköping Survival Guide
Firebat, Zalae, NHG, and Languagehacker are all 2-0. Impact is 0-2, so looks like he won't be a GM this season.
I Miss My X - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
Taunt would be a good idea imo. And please explain the lore behind the character if there is one.
Draw With Riot Competition Winners
It is the poro drawn during the concept art stream.
Anyone else hyped about the ps5 presentation happening in a few minutes?
Wow Flux just casually ignored GOTY contender Bugsnax...
All jokes aside, while I really enjoyed Horizon: Zero Dawn (bought and played it a few months ago) the sequel does indeed look like just 'more of the same'. Which isn't bad per se, but probably not something I'll be picking up the second it gets released.
That new Ratchet and Clank game though... I absolutely loved the series, back when I was a kid, and just as much now that I'm older. Definitely one of the games on top of my priority list to get once I eventually fork over and buy a PS5.
7 Magic the Gathering Cards Banned From Play Due to Racial Depictions
I don't really care about the changes (guess they are ok if people feel degraded by these cards). As a non-US citizen I did not get most of the racial references anyways (certainly would not have realized the KKK one, which is clearly not acceptable for a mainstream card game). I am just slightly worried that they may push this too far in the future (i don't want any racism in my game, but i also don't want it to be totally PC).
Side note: The discussion here is thankfully pretty civilized, over in the MTGA forums some people are freaking out a bit and the tone is not very nice (another proof that this is a really good community and well administrated site). Thanks for that.
I Miss My X - Card Design Competition Discussion Thread
I want to ask for one more round of quick feedback before submitting my card.
Mainly what I want to know is if the mana cost and stats are good. I don't want him to be too good against aggro, but I do want him to still be playable. I am considering either reducing his cost, or maybe giving him a keyword like Taunt.
7 Magic the Gathering Cards Banned From Play Due to Racial Depictions
Are some people really being bothered because Wizard is removing cards they probably didn't even know they existed? Does removing those cards you never played and heard of hurt you so much to complain that they are being removed?
If for some reason you do have those cards getting dust in your collection they will surely increase in value, so this is not the reason you are bothered; which means the reason you are bothered is because they are removing some racist cards, which is absurd.
Just because you aren't offendend by those cards doesn't mean other people aren't, is in Wizard's power to remove something they think is offensive (and really, it does make sense when you look at those cards).
Draw With Riot Competition Winners
I like #6, just clean.
Who is Chonk anyway? Is it a poro infused by the power of the Volibear?
Anyone else hyped about the ps5 presentation happening in a few minutes?
For me honestly, the best part of the PS5 unveiling was that Demon's Souls will be on the console. I still remember cracking into that game 10 or so years ago. SOOOOOOOO many game review sites stated that it was the hardest game for anyone and that the rewards weren't the good. Little did those naysayers know is that one game would be the catalyst for other games like it: Dark Souls, Nioh, BloodBorne....
Hearthstone Masters Tour Jönköping Survival Guide
I'm glad to see a woman in the ranks. It took years upon years for MTG tournaments to have women not only show up, but place in top tiers. I know that this level of nerdiness typically gets handed over to men, but I hopeful that more women will start making the brackets.
Hearthstone Masters Tour Jönköping Survival Guide
It's cool that the coronavirus has allowed people like NoHandsGamer legitimately compete for a GM spot where they probably wouldn't have been able to do so otherwise.
Even after things return to normal, I think Blizzard should continue to hold a large portion of their tournaments online.
Hearthstone Masters Tour Jönköping Survival Guide
I'll have a look, but I won't stay for long if it's the same matchup composition as the last GM few days ago...
Hearthstone Masters Tour Jönköping Survival Guide
Goooo NoHands! Prove to the world that your lack of hands is merely a setback!
*I know he has hands. I watch his stream sometimes. What most people don't know is that he doesn't actually have feet. He has some Mecha-Jaraxxus mechanical augments. It's rumored that he's augmented his brain as well.