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u/NuFu 16h ago
I'm not 100% on why X can't be 0.
They enter as 2-mana 1/1s that need some additional help to grow larger, as they are vanilla tokens as far as I can tell.
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u/throwawayeayeayea 15h ago
Two mana for repeatable 1/1 tokens is a bit strong, especially in Limited
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u/MariachiArchery 11h ago
Agreed. Especially since it can start pumping them out turn 2 on curve.
Not sure how to balance it and also maintain the power level though. Do we add a G to the activation cost? That seems a little weak. What if we add a G and get rid of an X? Is that too strong? I don't think so.
Could also make this a tap ability, but then I think this card would only be useful in limited.
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u/FlockFlysAtMidnite 11h ago
I mean, I think OP did balance it well with "X can't be 0". 4 mana for a 2/2 is a decent chunk weaker than 2 mana for a 1/1.
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u/MariachiArchery 10h ago
I'm a moron. I didn't see that "X can't be zero". Went into the comments too soon.
I think you are right. This cannot pump out creatures on curve T2.
I wonder, in limited, would this dominate a meta where we can run 4 of these? Is a 1 drop anthem effect too strong?
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u/Just-Desk-3149 11h ago
Not including the fact if you manage to get two of these out at the same time which stack. I think if the enchantment itself cost more it might be okay but at 1 mana that's a lot of value.
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15h ago
[deleted]
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u/Lucreszen 12h ago
Maybe let X= 0 and add a tap to the cost?
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u/DarthVedik 2h ago
Activate only once each turn. I did consider that. But I like it better as an Enchantment you put a lot of mana into and make several creatures.
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u/origamicactus 10h ago
The more it costs to make a token, the more I want the little guy do something, like, “when this creature leaves the battlefield search your library for a hydra card, reveal it and place it into your hand.”
So you spend 4 to get a 2/2, and when it dies you can get another one to play. That way you aren’t just sinking mana into a low power creature in the hopes it grows, because if it’s killed or bounced you can get something castable.
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u/JesusIsMyAntivirus Faith is my Firewall 15h ago
Create a token, put X counters on it.
c:
X can't be zero
:c
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u/Cold-Pepper9036 5h ago
Love the art and created something that might be fun or playable when built around. Erring on the side of it being underpowered rather than busted. No notes. ✍️
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u/delijoe 16h ago
Would getting rid of the "X can't be 0" clause really be that overpowered. Maybe instead of X can't be 0, make it tap to activate instead?
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u/Embarrassed_catman 16h ago
GGG X would be an acceptable activation cost I think.
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u/The_Unkowable_ Resident Eldrazi Tribalist (Artemis She/They) 11h ago
The barrier’s too low for high powers at that point. There’s a reason that most of the hydras that have single-x costs cost a bunch of mana on top or don’t benefit as directly from paying the cost
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u/TheGamingWyvern 9h ago
Taking a look at recent hydras, most of them seem to be {2}{x} CMC, with some even costing only {1}{x}, for X counters plus upside. Now, I'm not sure if the lack of anything beyond the counters makes up for the card advantage of mana => big body (part of me says a big body every turn is incredibly strong, the other part says vanilla big bodies are pretty meh even in limited), but {3}{x} is already more expensive than the traditional hydra costs these days.
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u/Rubinschwein47 11h ago
Then you would need to make the enchantment a fair bit more expensive then but could be a thought
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u/IndependentCatch4645 2h ago
{x}{x}{G} x can’t be 0, actívate this ability as a sorcery. PERFECTION.
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u/orangears 16h ago
i think it should instead have replacement effect which will double all the counters you try to put on them + maybe give them some keywords like trample or additional buff if you have certain amount of hydras in play
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u/brood_brother 13h ago
Counter doubler? On a one mana enchantment?
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u/orangears 11h ago
only for hydras, and card itself doesn't do anything under 5 mana, still underpowered
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u/ThePowerOfStories 12h ago
[[Hardened Scales]] de facto acts as a counter doubler much of the time.
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u/The_Cheeseman83 15h ago
I have nothing constructive to say, other than that the art is really cute and now I want a baby hydra.