[Pseudoquanta] Mirror Quanta (Hyroen)

[Hyroen]

Mirror Quanta

When you look into the mirror,
                             are you happy with the person looking back at you?
                                                   Should you be?Welcome one and all to one of the first Pseudoquanta (PQ) threads!
Today I present to you all the concept of the Mirror Pseudoquanta. For those unfamiliar with the concept of a Pseudoquanta, allow me to try to explain.

Pseudoquanta are non-elemental representations of a particular manipulation of elemental quanta, health, or any other variable that can be encountered in the game sufficiently general to be granted a cost status.

Examples of Pseudoquanta can be found HERE (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,27033.0.html). In this hyperlinked thread is a quick description of Mirror quanta.

Mirror quanta can be described as any quanta that matches your mark. If a card were to cost 7 , and your mark was the Mark of Air, it would cost 7 .

In some ways, this solves the issue that arises with Nova/Supernova allowing Other cards to be played --very-- rapidly, and in the case of Other creatures, in an overpowered manner.

Mirror Quanta may also be used as active skill costs, and be applied in elemental creatures and permanents.

And that is Mirror Quanta in a nutshell. ^_^
Some examples of where Mirror quanta has been used:
Jewel | Jewel (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,27009.0.html)
Jester | Jester (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,27265.0.html)

Questions:

Q.
Please address if, and if so why, the Mirror Pseudoquanta mechanic would be a preferred solution rather than having higher  casting costs.

A.
The natural response to why higher costs don't quite cut it is that while it may make balanced sense in the light of Nova/Supernova, in Mono decks and Duo decks, these costs will be slightly-too expensive.

Mirror Quanta

is a graceful solution to this conundrum.[/list]
Please send me a PM requesting to use Mirror Quanta if you wish. Thank you.

[OldTrees]

A Pseudoquanta mechanic is a quanta cost/generation mechanic that is paid in the 12 types of quanta ( ) rather than in a new type of quanta (a new element).
A Pseudoquanta mechanic is a form of Alternate cost but not all Alternate cost mechanics are Pseudoquanta mechanics.

Please address if, and if so why, the Mirror Pseudoquanta mechanic would be a preferred solution rather than having higher  casting costs.

Pendulums generate Mirror quanta every other turn. However the case for the use of Mirror pseudoquanta in quanta costs needs to be made.

PS: Thank you for a stellar example for the other PQ threads to follow.

[Hyroen]

The natural response to why higher costs don't quite cut it is that while it may make balanced sense in the light of Nova/Supernova, in Mono decks and Duo decks, these costs will be slightly-too expensive.

Mirror Quanta is a graceful solution to this conundrum.

And thank you for the compliment. ^_^

[OldTrees]

The natural response to why higher costs don't quite cut it is that while it may make balanced sense in the light of Nova/Supernova, in Mono decks and Duo decks, these costs will be slightly-too expensive.

Mirror Quanta is a graceful solution to this conundrum.

Please include the above in the OP.

You're welcome.

Edit: I noticed the poll does not allow voters to change their vote. Please change.

[OdinVanguard]

I would like to make some cards for mirror quanta, but I don't see a link for the card back image. Can you post one here so I can load it into the card editor?
(I can get the mark image from the OP, but I don't see the card back images you used)

[OdinVanguard]

I have a suggestion for the card back for this pseudoquanta type:


I made it by tweaking an image from sxc.hu: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/379468

[OdinVanguard]

A very relevant question came up in a card idea thread I posted. I figured it should be re-posted here since it is regarding implementation of mirror quanta in general. I gave my best guess, but maybe others have a better idea.

Will the copy get Mirror Curse as a status too? This could be an interesting way of flooding the field. E.G. Singularity + Mirror's Curse.

Didn't see the notes.

How would this work if Mark of Chroma gets implemented? For Mirror Quanta in general.

Good question... this pseudoquanta was invented before chroma marks were seriously being considered.
I would guess it would end up being like the "Fused" quanta concept, where it could draw from any single element, but not multiple at once... not sure how the decision of which to draw from would get made there. Probably random, but maybe it could default to the highest quanta pool.

[andretimpa]

How about 1 mirror = 3 if you have mark of chroma? Would make it more expensive, but could be a downside of using a chroma mark.

[OdinVanguard]

How about 1 mirror = 3 if you have mark of chroma? Would make it more expensive, but could be a downside of using a chroma mark.

That could work quite well I think considering this conversion seems to be supported already by quantum pillars as well.
It makes for a very interesting downside to rainbow design since rainbow opens up a broader range of cards and in the cast of cost has a significant advantage over non-rainbow decks.
With this cost rating, the advantage is inverted I think. I like the symmetry there personally.

On a different note, it would be interesting to carve out some sort of thematic setting for the mirror pseudoquanta (as is done for the hybrids thus far).

I was thinking it would be an interesting avenue for cards that counterbalance themselves by mirroring their effect somehow. I.e. placing a copy of themselves in the opponent's hand, creating copies of something on both sides, etc.
It also presents an elegant method for introducing adaptive cards. I.e. cards who's effect changes based on the player's mark.
Mirrors are play a part in many superstitions. This could be a fun theme to run with. For instance: Negative effects for destroying mirror permanents, spells that simulate a portal, creatures that reflect or copy stats and / or statuses of other creatures, and penalties for discarding mirror cards.