First, I started with Colossal Dragon/Massive Dragon.
1 ATK ~= 1
Therefore an unupped 0 | 15 creature in theory is worth ~3
.
An upped 0 | 30 creature is apparently worth ~3
. (Upgrade is an extra
)
However smaller creatures tend to be more cost efficient than just a 'downgraded' Dragon, as I realized when I started to compare to lower cost creatures.:
As you can see a vanilla 0 | 16 would probably be worth 1-2
according to Voodoo Doll.
A vanilla 0 | 20 would probably be worth 1-2
according to Voodoo Doll.
(Sidenote : It is difficult to find an exact formula for creature HP calculation - in general cheaper creatures seem to place less value on HP unless their ability is HP relevant like Guardian Angel or Otyugh. High-ATK creatures seem to value high HP more since it allows them to survive the CC they inevitably make themselves a target for.)
Quantum generation from RoLs and similar cards is continuous as opposed to Arc Engine's need for a 'trigger' - I assume that Arc Engine's ability is about equal due to being able to trigger off of other cards at the cost of not being able to kill creatures/interact with the field. In addition, Immolation + Weenie tends to have at least one of the cards involved in the combo cost 1 or less (unless said card is Phoenix). Engine's most effective combos usually require multiple cards (GP + Twin Universe, Fractal + Dessication), so I assume it would be more of a late-game staged card as opposed to an early quantum generator. (A risky Aether/Gravity rush with Gravity Pull might work though)
Similarly, Pestal is a cheap combo that can be used as an effective deck strategy. However there are several differences:
1) Pestal does not need to trigger off damage.
2) Pestal can disrupt the opponent without any help and still gives you quanta.
3) Pests have an additional skill to complement their ability - it seems Burrow + Drain ~= Damage Trigger + High HP, if one compares VD and Pest side by side.
Overall, I think Arc Engine is placed somewhere between Voodoo Doll and Pest in terms of value, which means it should end up costing about 2
:
Unupped:
ATK : 0
HP : 0 | 16 ~= 1-2
Ability : Lacks a precedent, but requires another card as opposed to more generic quantum critters. Based on Voodoo Doll, the ability seems worth 1
at most. (Voodoo Doll's ability is likely more viable due to being able to create a win condition with another card that deals damage - Arc Engine cannot create a win condition by just +1 card (second card in combo would generate quantum, third card has to provide damage or stalling). Pests cannot create a win condition by themselves either but have the benefit of draining the enemy field.)
Final : 2-3
Upped:
ATK : 0
HP : Assuming 0 | 8 is 0.5-1
, 0 | 24 is 1.5
- 3
Ability : ~ 1
Upgrade : -1
Final : 0.5-3
(As you can the final upgraded values are a bit more sketchy. 1-cost high HP 'blockers' seem a bit too powerful, though (Rage Potion), so I left the cost the same.)
