Regarding the mathematical unsolvability of the randomization with just one coin, I feel compelled to show that it can be done. So, to be pedantic: you take a section of the real line from 0-3, with a point set at the midpoint. Flip a coin. If the coin is heads, now focus on the segment to the right of the midpoint, and if it's tails, the left. Now take this segment, find its midpoint, and repeat the process. Keep doing this until both ends of your interval are located between two adjacent integers. That's the mode you don't choose. Technically, this system is guaranteed to resolve eventually. That's real analysis!
Ex: First coin is heads. We consider the interval [1.5-3]. Next coin is tails. We consider [1.5-2.25]. Next coin is tails. We consider [1.5-1.875]. Since both endpoints are between two adjacent integers, we're done; we don't do the second mode.
On the other hand, the other coin method would probably resolve faster, and is never going to be repeated that many times, so there's no real reason not to use it.
I just wanted to say I derived value from this post.
Second, yes there might no be guarantee that the trial would terminate, but seriously... when you roll a die, there's also no guarantee it won't roll to the floor and force you to re-roll it... the esperance number of iterations to make here is 4/3. It's not big at all and still less than 2. There is ~6 % chance that you'll have to try it three times, it's still ok.
Finally... as I said, there are better ways to do it. I just wanted to point out that your statement that the problem was mathematically unsolvable with just a coin was (and is) false. The rest are moot points.
But not this one.
It's not stated anywhere in the rules. Please look beyond the face of matters - there are rules deeper than what is said, just as there are truths beyond what actually happens.
And if you'd rather not, at least see Kenaron's post.
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This card should be only black. Change the damage to life loss, and change the mana cost to 1BBB. It would make it a better card without changing how it works. Besides, black has naturally have to deal with random cards itself. It hasn't directly said to do things at random, but it has several cards that continue to repeat until some event has happened that is not in your control. It also has cards that give your opponent choices of 2 different effects. Some cards to name are Temporal Extortion, Dash Hopes, Hoarder's Greed, Dark Confidant, Ad Nausium, Choice of Damnations, and these are just a few to name. It isn't much of a stretch to say that black could have at random effects too. Though, I would prersonally change one of the modes to be partially negative, and make the other 2 modes more powerful. Something like:
1BBB
Choose two at random -- Search your libarary for a card and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library; or draw two cards and each player discards a card; or each player discards a card.
I like this card but there are of course issues with a fair method of choosing two out of 3 at random. The best way would be to roll a 6 sided dice and pick an 2 numbers for each ability, the ability the roll picks is the one that will not be used. But still asking players to come up with fair choices for a tricky random situation can be too assuming especially for a card that would be highly played in limited tournaments.
Unpredictability is never going to help a card see constructed play, so I would say this card would be awesome for constructed if it was choose 2. As it stands, it would be good in limited, albeit a little shaky.
Honestly, to play Magic you need to have to be working on more than a few synapses. It's not a game that requires ravenous hippopatumi or a Pop-o-Matic bublle. You don't have to be a genius but you have to be able to think on your feet. So with that being the case, I can't imagine that in an actual game setting if this card were played that it would take more than twelve seconds to resolve.
Now as far as the card itself, I think RabidKitten is right that it wouldn't see constructed play. But then again, it's almost impossible for any card with randomness to make it into a competitive deck. With the exception of random discard (Hymn to Tourach, Mind Twist) I'm hard pressed to think of any other card with randomness that has seen tournament play. But in my opinion the abilities are strong and useful in midgame and often late game as well. As a casual player, I'd definitely put this card into a deck. So belated kudos to ShinyMan!
1. Have each player shoot fingers (as in "One, two, threeeeeeee SHOOT!") with either zero, one, or two fingers. Add them. If the sum is 0 or 3, don't do the discard effect. If the sum is 2, don't do the damage effect. If the sum is 1 or 4, don't do the destroy effect.
2. Ask the person next to you who their favorite Beatle is. John = discard. Paul = destroy. George = damage. If the person chose Ringo, clearly their choice doesn't count for anything
3. Have the opponent without looking take a small handful of cards (whether it be from a library, or from a trade box, or whatever) - roughly a dozen or so. If it's a multiple of 3, no discard. If it's a multiple of 3 plus 1, no destroy. If it's a multiple of 3 plus 2, no damage. The same can be done if there is a nearby book and it's flipped to a random page.
4. Watch a Mexican soap opera together. Someone getting slapped = discard, a guy with a mustache evilly stroking his chin = damage, a character coming back from the dead = destroy. Whichever event happens first, don't do. (I can't vouch that each event will happen with equal probability.)
lol muchsarcasm. Thanks a lot for the compliment and also the funny tips to resolve the spell. I really like the Beatle one.
As for the suggestion that the card is monoblack, yes it is possible and yes it might be more playable in constructed. But I would never win with that, the round bonus required multicoloured card, and Godo is red.
Hate to be the one to say this card is bad but this card is bad. It would never see constructed play, and WoTC 1-800 line would light up with cell phone calls from 6th graders on lunch break "... so if we flipped one coin to determine mode A and the outcome is not looking good can a counterspell be played??" "...after the first mode was set our coin was given to the lunch lady for a bag of chocolate milk, do we start over or use a new coin? Is that still random?"
The idea is inventive and for that credit is deserved; yet heed fair warning, a house made of glass is an equaly inventive idea.
And on the randomness of the resolution of the spell... Our universe seems to be based on certain laws like gravity, therefore, true randomness is only possible in cognition, not a coin flip or a die roll.
I've decided to man up and get a playset of the pulses. Hopefully they are the reason why this deck can consistently win 1 out of three games but just cannot finish the match off
"When all is said and done Goblins will be all that remain."
-Common Sense
but its aactually a pretty cool and origional card, and its nice to have a decent powered random card. As for deciding the modes, even an eenie, meenie, miney, mo type situation could work, even if you dont have a die handy (which you probably do if you are playing competitively)
Facepalm for nyce speeling dudr, and for suggesting "eenie meenie miney mo" as a sufficient method of randomization to nerds.
I hope to dodge an infraction for that one, but if you're going to facepalm someone for a differing opinion, you should look smarter than them when you reply.
More importantly, I like the card as well, and I agree with most previous sentiments about a 2BR cost not being unreasonable, though for destruction of any creature, I'd probably trade 4 damage to a player for a 2 to any target or 3 to the dome... besides, random discard isn't very powerful by turn 5.
I just realize that WotC already decided that players should be able to randomly choose one choice out of three. This That card never crosses my mind even once. I think I always subconsciously shuffle it away in draft. lol
My card is similar, choose one mode, then don't do that mode.
I'm not saying that one method is better than the others. I'm just saying that WotC believed that a method to choose could be concieved easily by the players. It could be a nightmare for those who believe it to be, but WotC doesn't think so.
First thing I thought when I looked at it was to roll a 6-sider.
Set them as 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6, then whatever number I get, I skip that one and do the other two.
I don't see the problem, you guys. I mean Wild Swing exists, right? So does freaking Grip of Chaos! o___0
I like the card alot its not to overpowered because it costs 3BR, but the how do u chose how the randomness works u should add to the card that u either roll a dice or flip a coin.
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I just wanted to say I derived value from this post.
But not this one.
It's not stated anywhere in the rules. Please look beyond the face of matters - there are rules deeper than what is said, just as there are truths beyond what actually happens.
And if you'd rather not, at least see Kenaron's post.
Awesome avatar provided by Krashbot @ [Epic Graphics].
1BBB
Choose two at random -- Search your libarary for a card and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library; or draw two cards and each player discards a card; or each player discards a card.
Unpredictability is never going to help a card see constructed play, so I would say this card would be awesome for constructed if it was choose 2. As it stands, it would be good in limited, albeit a little shaky.
Now as far as the card itself, I think RabidKitten is right that it wouldn't see constructed play. But then again, it's almost impossible for any card with randomness to make it into a competitive deck. With the exception of random discard (Hymn to Tourach, Mind Twist) I'm hard pressed to think of any other card with randomness that has seen tournament play. But in my opinion the abilities are strong and useful in midgame and often late game as well. As a casual player, I'd definitely put this card into a deck. So belated kudos to ShinyMan!
2. Ask the person next to you who their favorite Beatle is. John = discard. Paul = destroy. George = damage. If the person chose Ringo, clearly their choice doesn't count for anything
3. Have the opponent without looking take a small handful of cards (whether it be from a library, or from a trade box, or whatever) - roughly a dozen or so. If it's a multiple of 3, no discard. If it's a multiple of 3 plus 1, no destroy. If it's a multiple of 3 plus 2, no damage. The same can be done if there is a nearby book and it's flipped to a random page.
4. Watch a Mexican soap opera together. Someone getting slapped = discard, a guy with a mustache evilly stroking his chin = damage, a character coming back from the dead = destroy. Whichever event happens first, don't do. (I can't vouch that each event will happen with equal probability.)
As for the suggestion that the card is monoblack, yes it is possible and yes it might be more playable in constructed. But I would never win with that, the round bonus required multicoloured card, and Godo is red.
The idea is inventive and for that credit is deserved; yet heed fair warning, a house made of glass is an equaly inventive idea.
And on the randomness of the resolution of the spell... Our universe seems to be based on certain laws like gravity, therefore, true randomness is only possible in cognition, not a coin flip or a die roll.
"When all is said and done Goblins will be all that remain."
-Common Sense
also, Grats on only the secon person to win consecutivally (the other being lesurgo :o)
Millionaires, I hear it's good Music (Disclaimer: lyrics not PG-13) Thanks, CC
Facepalm for nyce speeling dudr, and for suggesting "eenie meenie miney mo" as a sufficient method of randomization to nerds.
I hope to dodge an infraction for that one, but if you're going to facepalm someone for a differing opinion, you should look smarter than them when you reply.
More importantly, I like the card as well, and I agree with most previous sentiments about a 2BR cost not being unreasonable, though for destruction of any creature, I'd probably trade 4 damage to a player for a 2 to any target or 3 to the dome... besides, random discard isn't very powerful by turn 5.
My card is similar, choose one mode, then don't do that mode.
I'm not saying that one method is better than the others. I'm just saying that WotC believed that a method to choose could be concieved easily by the players. It could be a nightmare for those who believe it to be, but WotC doesn't think so.
Set them as 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6, then whatever number I get, I skip that one and do the other two.
I don't see the problem, you guys. I mean Wild Swing exists, right? So does freaking Grip of Chaos! o___0