Crystal Ball | Crystal Ball (Lucky! Series)

[Werdbooty]

NAME: Crystal Ball ELEMENT: Aether COST: 1 TYPE: Spell ATK|HP: TEXT: Lucky! Either summon a Ball Lightning or you become Immaterial for 1 turn.	NAME: Crystal Ball ELEMENT: Aether COST: 4  TYPE: Permanent ATK|HP: TEXT: : Lucky! Either summon a Ball Lightning or you become Immaterial for 1 turn (you may not be targeted).

ART: Images altered to some degree by Werdbooty. Image Source (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/963802) Image License (http://www.sxc.hu/help/7_2) IDEA: Werdbooty (w/ a tip o' the hat to OldTrees & rohlfo for their ability suggestions) NOTES: "Immaterial" means that you may not be the target of spells or abilities. Direct damage still counts. Ball Lightning might be too much. OldTrees originally suggested a Spark instead. SERIES: Lucky! Series: http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,19030.0.html Lucky! Analysis (by doublecross): http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,19108.0.html

(http://imageplay.net/view/m7Gbd138172/Crystal_Ball) (http://imageplay.net/view/m7Gbd138173/Crystal_Ball_upg)

[rohlfo]

so if I have enough upped versions of this I can more or less guarantee that silence is cast on my opponent every turn...?
I like these ideas, especially the spell/permanent combo of them! As you say, this one feels a little OP. Think it's the silence factor, phasing out sounds ok (I assume it's you as a player, not you and creatures?) and does phasing out mean you cannot be target by spells/abilities or all the creature attacks too?

[Werdbooty]

so if I have enough upped versions of this I can more or less guarantee that silence is cast on my opponent every turn...?
I like these ideas, especially the spell/permanent combo of them! As you say, this one feels a little OP. Think it's the silence factor, phasing out sounds ok (I assume it's you as a player, not you and creatures?) and does phasing out mean you cannot be target by spells/abilities or all the creature attacks too?

I like the phasing too, as it would essentially give you 1 turn damage free (you would not be "targeted;" ergo no creature attacks, no direct spells, etc...). I agree it's the Silence that kills it. And considering that Silence is a new card as it is...somebody suggested spawning a Spark or a Ball Lightning instead. I thought that idea had some merit.

[rohlfo]

so if I have enough upped versions of this I can more or less guarantee that silence is cast on my opponent every turn...?
I like these ideas, especially the spell/permanent combo of them! As you say, this one feels a little OP. Think it's the silence factor, phasing out sounds ok (I assume it's you as a player, not you and creatures?) and does phasing out mean you cannot be target by spells/abilities or all the creature attacks too?

I like the phasing too, as it would essentially give you 1 turn damage free (you would not be "targeted;" ergo no creature attacks, no direct spells, etc...). I agree it's the Silence that kills it. And considering that Silence is a new card as it is...somebody suggested spawning a Spark or a Ball Lightning instead. I thought that idea had some merit.

hmm, phasing might be too strong then as well, not sure. Just if you had enough of the upped version you could more or less guarantee that you phase out and never receive damage for the rest of the game....perhaps not let it work twice in a row? dunno...

[Wonder]

Yeah I also think there should be a cool down for this card. Maybe a 1 turn hiatus where it's ability cannot be used?

[OldTrees]

Unlike the other cards  in this series, I do not see how the upgraded version can be balanced.
Even at an activation cost of  (the most we have seen to start with) it would only cost
~8 per turn to be phased out or have them silenced
~12 per turn to be phased out and have them silenced

I think that the individual effects are much too strong and neither would be successfully diluted even if the other ability disappeared.
On the other hand Mindgate and Lobotomy would not work well for the unupped form because they are not worth  if on single use spells.

I am sorry for only bringing criticism and no solutions.

[Werdbooty]

Never Oldtrees! Criticism is warranted from all parties, accepted, and encouraged. I know full well these cards are not fine as is, they obviously need tweaking. Also, my greatest weakness when it comes to card creation is costs. I value any input as it helps me to refine these cards (as you may have already noticed, no actual changes have been made so far...just waiting on reaction )

Furthermore, I'd be surprised to see any card that makes it anywhere without some sort of critique.

Finally, I hate this card lol. I'm thinking it's due for the scrapheap. Aether can be so hard to work with...any suggestions for alternate effects?

[rohlfo]

the 'phase out' part could only apply to spells and creature abilities (thinking of Chrysaora) and maybe weapon, but not creatures themselves? Or something more along those lines perhaps.
Other one could perhaps be 'one of your creatures gains immortality for 1 turn'

just quick thoughts, if I think of anything better I'll post 

[Uppercut]

I think the main problem is that both of those abilities are really strong. I think Mindgate-ing is thematically right with a crystal ball? Maybe phase out and mindgate?

[doublecross]

I agree.

[Werdbooty]

Modified. Thanks guys.

Notes: Ball Lightning might be too much. OldTrees originally suggested a Spark instead. Immaterial might be exchangeable for phasing (1 turn). The original mess of a card can still be viewed under the Lucky! Series thread.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Well, it does give newbies a way to get Ball Lightning without upgrading.

Spell Cost:
Ability 1 : Ball Lightning, 1 
Ability 2: Untargetable for 1 turn (note that most heal and regen cards still work), 1  (You might keep summoning Ball Lightnings when all you want to do is protect yourself from Drain Life or Fire Bolt).
1    | 1  , Chances, resulting average = 1 
Final Cost: 1 

Permanent Cost:
Type: Standard Permanent, +3 by default
Ability Value : +2 (Now on a stick)
Uprade Bonus: -1
Final Cost: 4 

Spell is a bit situational, while Permanent could be used in a duo with death that also can protect you from damage.  It looks fine to me.