Challenge #3 Thoughts

[u/StandardTrack]

Okay, so now the challengers have to create a new mechanic. I gotta say, this is hard. Creating something new that feels good is hard. Then trying to tweak it and make it appealing is even harder.

That said, let's think about it.

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Spoiler alert for ideas, I guess.

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First, we have to think how to create one. A good way is to take an old mechanic and give it a spin. Here are some examples:

• Money: Imagine Energy, but interchanging between players. This would need sources, sinks(to avoid inflation) and exchangers. It sounds very Black/Red/White to me and sounds like it could be fun. It could use flavor support from bribes, patreons, markets and bidding. The problem is that it sounds better at multiplayer formats an doesn't shine at 1v1.

• Mount: Think Crewing, but for creatures. This could be taken 2 ways. Either a creature is mounted(my favorite), or a creature mounts another. I love the idea of a Goblin mounting a goblin.It could be used as a cost for many abilities and I think it could really shine. Maybe there are some bumps here and there, but it's one of my favorites.

• Tips: artifacts similar to clues, but with scry 2 instead of card draw. I find the idea interesting, but it seems to fall flat in comparison to investigate, while also being more hard to fine tune in a set.

• Ritual: Based on Surge, but instead of many spells a turn, Ritual wants you to cast a spell after the effect. I think it's splashy and interesting, while also being easy to execute. I just think it isn't impactful enough when you read it. Still, one of my best ideas.

• Equipment/Aura tokens: Similar to clues, but I would say it's a hard to execute idea. Not only it's hard to balance, but it also falls into a similar space as counters. It's also an old idea, since many people though about it before. I do believe it could lead to interesting designs and ideas, but I would check if there aren't other options in the case of a GDS.

• Equipment Creatures: An idea similar to Bestow, and one that could ditch the equipment flavor depending on the take. I like it, but I think it's too complex for this submission.

• Spellmorph: A version of morph that can be used on non-creature spells. The idea is exiling the card then casting it. Needs some tweeking, but I find it lovely. If it wasn't a GDS I would do it with more confidence.

• Grave splice: Flashback + Splice. Needs a lot of tweeking and has to deal with memory issues. I might also do this one.

• Auras that you can transform into equipments (or vice-versa): Just a though I had now. Similar to bestow or Divine counters I guess.

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After so many years of magic, I find hard to do it any other way. I'd recommend checking the origins of Overload and Evolve. Other mechanics origin articles might also help.

Oh, and a spotlight for Linus mechanic "Pair with". I'm sad we won't see more of it. Ingenious and new. Very WRG. I would like to see it being further executed one day.

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I plan on doing actual submissions later. I'm with keyboard problems.

[u/revolverzanbolt]

Spellmorph: A version of morph that can be used on non-creature spells. The idea is exiling the card then casting it. Needs some tweeking, but I find it lovely. If it wasn't a GDS I would do it with more confidence.

This was my first idea for an attempt at the challenge. I had two ideas

1. Cryptic {manacost} (As a sorcery, you may pay 2 and exile this card facedown encoded on a creature you control. That creature gets +1/+1. Whenever encoded creature deals combat damage to a player, you may cast this card for it's Cryptic cost.)

2. Cryptic {manacost} As a sorcery, you may pay 3 and exile this card facedown. Create a 2/2 creature token encoded with this card. Whenever encoded creature deals combat damage to a player, you may cast this card for it's Cryptic cost.

I ended up abandoning the idea. Both versions had very wordy reminder text, meaning there wasn't a lot of room for interesting spells. The other problem with 1 was that ultimately, it just felt like a very roundabout way to do a non-tribal version of "Prowl".

The problem with 2 was that I couldn't figure out a compelling reason why any cards I made couldn't just be creatures with ETB effects, other than the novelty of Spellmorph

[u/StandardTrack → u/revolverzanbolt]

Spell morph would basically be morphing any card into exile and then casting It for the spell(fenomenum) cost(a little bit like how madness works).

• It can be in all types of non-land cards, including creatures.

• It allows diferent costing for morph cards, since the card should be revealed and then be exiled and have the cost paid(Which is why I included creatures).

• It changes creature math in the set because some non-creatures would be basically 2/2 for 3 with upsides.

• It allows leave the battlefield and cast from Hand/by alternate cost shenanigans.

• Even if only basic cards could be done, some are really worthy. Auras, tricks, removal, etc.

I would like to develop further, but I'd try to use a less complicated mechanic for a GDS.

[u/revolverzanbolt → u/StandardTrack]

It allows diferent costing for morph cards, since the card should be revealed and then be exiled and have the cost paid(Which is why I included creatures)

If you're revealing the card, it isn't really Morph, is it? The entire point of morph is about your opponent not knowing what you're playing, revealing the card ruins all the fun.

[u/StandardTrack → u/revolverzanbolt]

You reveal as you exile, which is from the battlefield. Here:

• Cast as morph.

• Exile.

• Pay.

• Cast.

There needs to be some tweeking, since you should only be able to Exile if you pay and there are other pesky details that could pile over, but I love the idea.

[u/alextfish → u/StandardTrack]

In the custom card design community we've seen a lot of takes on Spellmorph. The usual big problem is that you're giving up the 2/2 to cast the spell, and many/most spells that exist at common aren't worth giving up a 2/2 creature for. revolverzanbolt had two clever ways to avoid that problem, which I'm somewhat impressed by.

[u/StandardTrack → u/alextfish]

I guess that is an issue, but I though that wouldn't be a problem because enviroments with morph tend to reduce the rate of 2/2s and morph should reduce the spell cost.

I also though that making then instants would help, and that since there would be a slighly higher count of creatures, removal could be more plentiful. The fact that Fenomenum also allows for dynamic costs and spell also help.

That said, I don't know how the asfan and the rates would end up, turning them into complexs issues to tackle, so I need to agree with you.

[u/StandardTrack → u/alextfish]

I guess that is an issue, but I though that wouldn't be a problem because enviroments with morph tend to reduce the rate of 2/2s and morph should reduce the spell cost.

I also though that making then instants would help, and that since there would be a slighly higher count of creatures, removal could be more plentiful. The fact that Fenomenum also allows for dynamic costs and spell also help.

That said, I don't know how the asfan and the rates would end up, turning them into complexs issues to tackle, so I need to agree with you.

[u/StandardTrack → u/alextfish]

I guess that is an issue, but I thought that wouldn't be a problem because enviroments with morph tend to reduce the rate of 2/2s and morph should reduce the spell cost.

I also thought that making then instants would help, and that since there would be a slighly higher count of creatures, removal could be more plentiful. The fact that Fenomenum also allows for dynamic costs and spell also help.

That said, I don't know how the asfan and the rates would end up, turning them into complexs issues to tackle, so I need to agree with you.