Project : Adding on to Existing Archetypes

[ZephyrPhantom]

Despite the fact that some archetypes/series of cards already have 12 elemental counterparts, there have been attempts to create more versions of cards for some of the existing series in the game. Some cards are simply just 2 or 3-cards present in elements that use similar effects, and there have had some interesting cards made based off of them. I would like to see what building upon current archetypes in the game could possibly lead to in terms of ideas.

The current goals of this study/project are:

1. Identify card series that could be expanded upon for additional variety.
2. Discuss and debate possible card ideas that could made off these current cards.
3. Design a series/expand upon a small series that has potential to expand.

Possible Series to Expand On

• Spirits - Creatures that attempt to grow through effects and thus focus on increasing damage.
  
  • Sea Spectre | Ocean Spectre (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21743.0.html)
  • Wailing Spirit | Banshee (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21662.0.html)
  • Spell Leech | Spell Hunter (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21190.0.html)
• Golems - Midhitters that have potential to exist in other elements. One is currently vanilla (Steel Golem) and the other is a Growth creature(Lava Golem).
  • Bloodshadow's Old Golems thread. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,4852.0.html)
• Spiders/Recluses - Series that currently focuses on being able to remove the Airborne Passive. They could focus on denial or soft CC.
• Scorpions - Creatures that poison the opponent when they attack - they usually need a buff.
  • Scorpions (Expansion Pack) by Malebolgia  (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26416.0.html)

Current Series: Morph Effect (E.g. Mummies and Skeletons)
Phase : Idea Phase - If you have any ideas, post them here, or in the Idea Factory feedback thread (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25499.0.html)!

Despite the fact that some archetypes/series of cards already have 12 elemental counterparts, there have been attempts to create more versions of cards for some of the existing series in the game. Some cards are simply just 2 or 3-cards present in elements that use similar effects, and there have had some interesting cards made based off of them. I would like to see what building upon current archetypes in the game could possibly lead to in terms of ideas.

The current goals of this study/project are:

1. Identify card series that could be expanded upon for additional variety.
2. Discuss and debate possible card ideas that could made off these current cards.
3. Design cards that are unique and at the same time keep the series theme.
4. Find out when a series theme no longer justifiies semi-redundant cards.

Notable Series

• Nymphs - one of the most popular series in the game that there have been multiple fan attempts of due to rarity and balance.
  
  • Clear Nymph | Void Nymph (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21512.0.html)
  • Nymph Princess | Nymph Princess (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,23679.0.html)
  • Nymph | Nymph (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,8707.0.html)
  • Spirit Nymph | Spirit Nymph (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21069.0.html)
  • Topaz Nymph | Acid Nymph   (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,24781.0.html)
  • Garnet Nymph | Energy Nymph (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,24783.0.html)
• Shards - Based off of positive values, these shards attempt to provide a powerful positive effect for relatively little quantum.
  • Countless attempts have been made here - I will try to find the most notable examples and list them later.
• Dragons - Heavy hitters for the 12 elements. Many have proposed the possibility of younger/minor dragons, dragon eggs, and a possible Dragon for Other.
  • Dragon Egg | Ancient Dragon Egg (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,12853.0.html)
  • Dragon's Scale | Dragon's Scale (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,23332.0.html)
  • Decaying Dragon | Dragonic Horror (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,24339.0.html)
  • Dragon Power | Dragon Power (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,11526.0.html)
• Spirits - Creatures that attempt to grow through effects and thus focus on increasing damage.
  
  • Sea Spectre | Ocean Spectre (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21743.0.html)
  • Wailing Spirit | Banshee (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21662.0.html)
  • Spell Leech | Spell Hunter (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21190.0.html)
• Mark Weapons - Weapons that deal extra damage or gain an effect based on your mark.
  • Arquebus | Blunderbuss (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21342.0.html)
  • Wand | Magic Wand (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,24097.0.html)

[OldTrees]

Concern about Races/Species:

I remember a time when we were worried about an Archetype series (back then they were talking about Races) being too big. We have a small card pool and thus it is very easy for a large series to grow to become a dominant part of the card pool. In Dungeons and Dragons having more breeds of Dragon than letters in all the languages was fine but here the namesake is Elementals which are the only race that cannot be made into a creature card because they are the players.

When is a race too large for the current card pool?
IMO: 3 (for a race) or 12 (If it is a 12 element series but these should be very rare)

Basically, when does a theme stop justifying adding partially redundant cards?

[ZephyrPhantom]

Concern about Races/Species:

I remember a time when we were worried about an Archetype series (back then they were talking about Races) being too big. We have a small card pool and thus it is very easy for a large series to grow to become a dominant part of the card pool. In Dungeons and Dragons having more breeds of Dragon than letters in all the languages was fine but here the namesake is Elementals which are the only race that cannot be made into a creature card because they are the players.

When is a race too large for the current card pool?
IMO: 3 (for a race) or 12 (If it is a 12 element series but these should be very rare)

Basically, when does a theme stop justifying adding partially redundant cards?

Generally a 12 element series is almost near completion and any support/additional archetypes made under it are best for :
Alternate ways of obtaining the creature. (Dragon Egg, Nymph Princess and Nymph's Tears)
Minor Support to indirectly buff the cards. (Dragon Power)
Possible "Other" version of the card, or one that provides a unique alternative of it's own. (Decaying Dragon, Nymph, Void Nymph)

I think a race should probably be no bigger than 3-5 cards - some races are a bit more widespread than others.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Is there more that can be discussed on this project? I honestly hoped that it could inspire a few ideas.

[OldTrees]

Shards, Weapons and Shields are the 3 series that bend well to an expansion strategy.
Shards have been done in bulk.
Shields and Weapons have been suggested a lot.
I do not think we need to increase the rate of these yet.

[Nepycros]

Golems could definitely be expanded, since I think there are only 2 currently. We could squeeze in an Ice Golem, most likely. Having one for Air would complete the Material group of elements, which would be suitable for Elements.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Golems could definitely be expanded, since I think there are only 2 currently. We could squeeze in an Ice Golem, most likely. Having one for Air would complete the Material group of elements, which would be suitable for Elements.

For the Cardinal and Spiritual elements, we could possiblty expand upon the Spirits, Banshee and Ocean Spectre are good examples of this.

[Bloodshadow]

If you want to expand the golem series, you can look at this old thread for inspirations:

http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,4852.0.html

I might remake some of those ideas.

[OldTrees]

I forgot about the Golem and Spirit race (singular Golems are made of solid matter, Spirits are more gaseous or ethereal). The major problem with trying to complete this series is that it does not have an end nor even markers like Elemental Weapons do. How many spirits do  and  get? How many golems do  and  get?

Bone Golem is interesting Bloodshadow.

[moomoose]

i had made a small effort to expand pests into other elements for a worm series of sorts, some interesting mechanics could be thought up for the ilk.

spiders are a decent series of good ratio attacking creatures with web being useful in conjunction with the wings shield, but it may be interesting to come up with new spiders that dont use web- as there are many things spiders could do.

or maybe expand upon the mummy's effect, make new creatures that when targeted by an existing spell either become something else (creature x targeted by adrenaline becomes creature y) or have an unusual effect instead (creature x targeted by liquid shadow gains +3|+3 and not poisoned or what have you)

[OldTrees]

Well it seems like I am wrong at every turn here.

@ZBlader would you redesign this thread to initiate a Project to expand/create a Name based series? One with fewer cards in the game but with room to grow would be ideal IMHO.

Maybe I should start an Art based Project to round out the set (Metagame, Mechanic, Name, Art) of card sources.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Well it seems like I am wrong at every turn here.

@ZBlader would you redesign this thread to initiate a Project to expand/create a Name based series? One with fewer cards in the game but with room to grow would be ideal IMHO.

Maybe I should start an Art based Project to round out the set (Metagame, Mechanic, Name, Art) of card sources.

The art project sounds very helpful for this series and would be appreciated.

I've reworked the OP and changed the list to include series that could be expanded upon. Our current possible series to draw from are Spiders, Golems, and Spirits. If there are any other series/ card groups in Elements that we could expand upon in the game feel free to suggest them.

(In case anyone needs it I've archived the old list.)