it's senior year, and second semester is rapidly approaching...and i need something to do while cutting classes. so i decided to make my own block. that's right, block. i'm still ironing out some details as far as story goes, so don't expect the first set (codename: "boredom") for another month or so. anyway, these are the machanics i have for it...the idea is this set is the balance to the onslaught block (non-creature based), so the abilites revolve around non-creature stuff.
first one:
Spellcaster [cost] - [card type] (When you play this, you may an additional [cost]. if you do, search your library for a [card type] with converted casting cost less than or equal to [conversion of ability cost], reveal it, and put it into your hand. shuffle your library afterwards.)
a bit wordy, i'm looking to cut it down. neat, though...
second one:
Fluctuate - [cost] ( [cost], return a permanent you control to it's owner's hand: you may play this any time you could play an instant.)
only on non-creature spells. is it broken, though?
third one:
Pulse - [number] (if you have played [number] or more non-creature spells this turn, return this to your hand instead of putting it into the graveyard as part of its effect)
again, only on non-creature spells. it's a bit wordy though...how should i cut it down?
anyway, that's all for major mechanics...what do y'all suggest?
I'd probably make spellcaster non-color dependent to clean up formatting. I mean, having a green card fetch a white one to your hand isn't hideously broken or terrible, since you still need white mana to play it. Also, any reason to make it a cost? Here's my take on the ability:
Summoner X - [Type] (Whenever you play this, you may search your library for a [Type] with converted casting cost of X or less and put that card into your hand. Shuffle your library afterwards.)
Fluctuate is pretty good. I'd simplify it to not include returning permanents automatically, though. You can, after all, just make a cost that involves it on cards that it fits for. Don't confine yourself. N can be anything, not just a numerical cost.
Fluctuate - N (You may play this card as an instant if you pay N instead of its casting cost.)
So... Pulse is a conditional buyback? This one is the one that could get hideously broken, if any of them can. Once you hit the point of Buyback 0, all kinds of wicked combos become possible. And as storm taught us, reaching a large spell threshold is easy. I might rethink this as a mechanic. I'd help with wording, but I'm drawing a blank. Yours is pretty good, but I think I'd use "at least" instead of X or more.
i like the wording on your summoner ability...it works well. and i was a bit iffy on the pulse. should i add mana costs to it? something low, to offset having to play other spells...like "Pulse 3 - :symu:" or something, not necessarily that cost, though, just the color.
first one:
Spellcaster [cost] - [card type] (When you play this, you may an additional [cost]. if you do, search your library for a [card type] with converted casting cost less than or equal to [conversion of ability cost], reveal it, and put it into your hand. shuffle your library afterwards.)
a bit wordy, i'm looking to cut it down. neat, though...
second one:
Fluctuate - [cost] ( [cost], return a permanent you control to it's owner's hand: you may play this any time you could play an instant.)
only on non-creature spells. is it broken, though?
third one:
Pulse - [number] (if you have played [number] or more non-creature spells this turn, return this to your hand instead of putting it into the graveyard as part of its effect)
again, only on non-creature spells. it's a bit wordy though...how should i cut it down?
anyway, that's all for major mechanics...what do y'all suggest?
Summoner X - [Type] (Whenever you play this, you may search your library for a [Type] with converted casting cost of X or less and put that card into your hand. Shuffle your library afterwards.)
Fluctuate is pretty good. I'd simplify it to not include returning permanents automatically, though. You can, after all, just make a cost that involves it on cards that it fits for. Don't confine yourself. N can be anything, not just a numerical cost.
Fluctuate - N (You may play this card as an instant if you pay N instead of its casting cost.)
So... Pulse is a conditional buyback? This one is the one that could get hideously broken, if any of them can. Once you hit the point of Buyback 0, all kinds of wicked combos become possible. And as storm taught us, reaching a large spell threshold is easy. I might rethink this as a mechanic. I'd help with wording, but I'm drawing a blank. Yours is pretty good, but I think I'd use "at least" instead of X or more.
i'll change the fluctuate.
awesome, thanks!