Project: Quantum Generators

[OldTrees]

Quantum Generators

As seen time and time again, one of the easiest ways to introduce variety into Elements is by introducing a new quanta source. Quanta Sources are also the least common type of card suggestion by far even compared to Weapons. What can be done? How would we balance such options? What new deck types will these create?

It's time for the brilliant minds of the Idea Factory to come up with new Quanta Sources that would fit Elements to support new types of decks.

Project goals:

• Brainstorm variations of quanta production
• Brainstorm beneficial new deck types
• Find ideas that connect between the two categories
• Identify where such ideas would fit in ETG
• Balance the ideas

Because the Idea Factory is new, there is absolutely no rush with this project. It can take weeks or even months, no problem.

Lets get started. Please post your ideas here. Thanks.

Noteworthy Example Quantum Generators
Elemental Pillars (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-light/light-pillar-light-tower/)
Quantum Pillars (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-other/quantum-pillar-quantum-tower/)
Elemental Pendulums (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-darkness/dark-pendulum-dark-pendulum/)
Nova (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-entropy/nova-supernova/)
Immolation (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-fire/immolation-cremation/)
Living Pillars/Quanta Generating Creatures (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/gnome-rider-gnome-gemfinder/)
Temple of Element (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,16622.0.html)
Implode (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,7033.0.html)
Quantum Flash (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,5983.0.html)
Quantum Pendulum (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,14083.0.html)
Harmonic Pillar (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,5643.0.html)
Quantum Locket (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25665.html)

[moomoose]

One idea I had which I never got around to flushing out was trading quanta at a disadvantage.  Some mechanics for trading quanta sort of exist currently, such as rustler- but I was thinking more along the lines of situations where you just cant seem to generate enough of a certain quanta in your rainbow deck or trio, and you wish you could trade 2 or 3 of or for 1 , because those quantum pillars just aren't giving you the 1 more you need to play that charger and the super novas are hiding at the bottom of your deck.

other spitball ideas: enhancements of pillars/pendulums to produce more quanta; reflective quanta generation- when your opponent gains (or spends?) quanta there is some chance/ratio for you to gain; quanta generators that produce more quanta early but little/none after a few turns - or vice versa.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Moomoose's comment makes me think of a "Quantum Bazaar" of sorts where you can trade 3 random quantum for 1 quantum of your mark. I can also imagine a cheap creature that decays over time but gives you quantum as it decays/dies.

[moomoose]

thats not too far from where i was going to go with it.  i was thinking of a goblin tradesman of sorts, a creature that would swap target quanta, but you wouldnt get close to a 1:1 return. 

a creature that dies after producing quanta is a interesting twist on that.  i was thinking more along the lines of a 3 turn duration pillar which would produce 4 quanta the first turn, three the second turn, two the third turn and then go away.

and another spitball idea sort of tangent to the short duration pillar- destroying/sacrificing a pillar/pendulum for an instant boost of quanta.

[OldTrees]

Duration pillars have been suggested before. There is an ___ Amulet|___ Talisman in the Air Crucible
http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,14304.0.html
Conversion cards have been done, There is a Temple of ___| Shrine of ___ in the Permanent Forge
http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,16622.0.html

We are getting lots of ideas for different types of quanta generation. What about different types of decks? (Referring to the quanta generation and usage of course)

some Types of decks we have so far:
Fairly Constant stream of quanta. (Pillars)
Quanta packets. (Cremation and Supernova)
Accelerating quanta source. (Quanta producing creatures)

[Nepycros]

One thing I'm interested in is using HP as quanta sources. If the player is the elemental, then clearly they are quasi-energy representations of their own power, yes? It would be thematically agreeable if we could pay our own life force to fuel our powers.

Assuming HP : Quanta is 2 : 1, the balancing of the mechanic is, in my opinion, worthwhile. I hope I'm not going too far into the old Supernova territory (originally costing 10 life, yes?). This is probably going to need major tweaking... Perhaps the card could be where you sacrifice life, and select a pillar or pendulum to generate the quanta.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Regarding Conversion:

I think moomoose and I were discussing a conversion-style card that works along rustler's lines - converting quantum an infinite number of times.

Possibly a set number of times, like:

Frost Vial:
Element : Water
Cost : 2 Other
Ability : 3 : Generate  . Can be used 5 times each turn.

HP as a quantum source is something we may possibly use for a Pseudo-element.

EDIT : Nepycros and I had a little discussion, and the result was the following suggestions for cards. This may leak slightly into our Pseudo-element ideas.
Blood Altar:
Element : Other
Cost : 2 Other
Ability : Pay 5 HP : generate 2 quantum. This can be used twice per turn.

Spirit Altar:
Element : Other
Cost : 2 Other
Ability : Pay 3 Max HP : generate 2 quantum. This can be used twice per turn.
Note : The Max HP paid here will affect your current HP.

[OldTrees]

We are not ready to suggest cards at this stage. Just mechanics and deck genres.

Also to prevent spill over between threads for now (at least while IF is just starting) lets leave alternative costs for the other thread.

[ZephyrPhantom]

We are not ready to suggest cards at this stage. Just mechanics and deck genres.

Also to prevent spill over between threads for now (at least while IF is just starting) lets leave alternative costs for the other thread.

Ok. Good thing I kept the costs as random quantum, but I'll save the ideas for a later time in that case.

I've noticed that there have been multiple attempts to strengthen trios, quartets, and possibly even quintet decks that currently rely on somewhat unreliable quantum producers for their style of deck, the choices being Quantum Pillars or Pendula. One recent example of this is Quantum Spiral (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25113.0.html), while one of the longtime existing cards in the Armory, Harmonic Pillar is also an example of this. A trio pendulum like card called Alliance Pendant was also moved to the Crucible Archives recently.

I'd like to consider quantum support for 3-5 element decks one of the goals for this thread, as it has been brought up multiple times now and perhaps by looking at other ideas we may create a high-quality card.

[Nepycros]

We are not ready to suggest cards at this stage. Just mechanics and deck genres.

Also to prevent spill over between threads for now (at least while IF is just starting) lets leave alternative costs for the other thread.

Ok. Good thing I kept the costs as random quantum, but I'll save the ideas for a later time in that case.

I've noticed that there have been multiple attempts to strengthen trios, quartets, and possibly even quintet decks that currently rely on somewhat unreliable quantum producers for their style of deck, the choices being Quantum Pillars or Pendula. One recent example of this is Quantum Spiral (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25113.0.html), while one of the longtime existing cards in the Armory, Harmonic Pillar is also an example of this. A trio pendulum like card called Alliance Pendant was also moved to the Crucible Archives recently.

I'd like to consider quantum support for 3-5 element decks one of the goals for this thread, as it has been brought up multiple times now and perhaps by looking at other ideas we may create a high-quality card.

As for quick boosts, I suggest Implode (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,7033.0.html) as an example.

[OldTrees]

I agree reliable 3-5 element decks are definitely a good goal for this thread.
(The best example IMO was/is Soul Pillar by Kael Hate)
http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,24473.0.html

What other deck types should be enabled?
Perhaps a drastic long term quanta acceleration for late game bolt decks and similar cards like Fractal and Mitosis?

[Nepycros]

I agree reliable 3-5 element decks are definitely a good goal for this thread.
What other deck types should be enabled?
Perhaps a drastic long term quanta acceleration for late game bolt decks and similar cards like Fractal and Mitosis?

Cards that build counters each turn, and generate quanta based on the counters is an option. Of course, you can't say that after 10 turns, you deserve 10 quanta each turn afterwards, so a table would have to be charted. But a card that relies on remaining on the field for a set of terms, like a Metronome card, would be a good addition to stalls.