Ask the Idea Guru

[OldTrees]

The thread for my card idea, Eden | Eden (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,33274), seems to show that "this type" of idea garners positive feedback.

The question is, what makes Eden one of "this type" of idea? What exactly is "this type" of idea?

I was not able to find the post that refers to "this type of card" rather than "this card".

But, it obviously has to be one of the parts of the card.

6 parts:
Art.
Name.
All creatures gain +3/+3. [Rider]
Eden is destroyed when a non-Life card is played. [Vehicle]
Immaterial. [Third Wheel]
Author.*

I think it is safe to assume that parts 2,5 & 6 are not the cause of the popularity of the card. I see signs of interest in each of the remaining three parts. This is a good trait of card design. A card is the sum of its parts. A good card is made of good parts that fit together.

If you clarify the context of your question I might be able to answer more.

*Some may vote for a card just based on the author. This is unfortunate and not to be encouraged.

[Pineapple]

"This type" of card was not a reference to Eden, but rather a reference to the category that contains "good" card ideas.

What does the community want in a card? How can I consistently generate these results (positive feedback) when designing cards?

[The_Mormegil]

"This type" of card was not a reference to Eden, but rather a reference to the category that contains "good" card ideas.

What does the community want in a card? How can I consistently generate these results (positive feedback) when designing cards?

Somehow related, I think. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25096.0.html)

Not the exact answer, though, as you are asking for what the community wants rather than what is actually good.

[OldTrees]

"This type" of card was not a reference to Eden, but rather a reference to the category that contains "good" card ideas.

What does the community want in a card? How can I consistently generate these results (positive feedback) when designing cards?

Somehow related, I think. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25096.0.html)

Not the exact answer, though, as you are asking for what the community wants rather than what is actually good.

I cannot speak for the entire community. I can only estimate their opinion based on my time observing and studying them.

The community seems to like Clear, Good (see the link above), New, Balanced, Beautiful and Fun cards. (no particular order. a card suggestion can and should have as many as possible)
The community also goes through fads where it focuses on a few broad suggestions and the card suggestions that fit those categories.

In addition to those guidelines, the community has some dislikes. Some of these dislikes are based on taboos while others are a matter of taste.
Cheap to Medium cost creatures and permanents are preferred over Free or Expensive. (A balance between speed and power)
Normal spells should not cost more than Miracle without reason.

[OldTrees]

Thoughts on Cardinal | Cardinal (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,34224.0.html)

-snip-

Other Comments:
Cardinality is ... potent.

We were looking to this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinality) when we came up with Cardinality.
any thoughts on a better mechanic?

I do not know why the Cardinal elements were named Cardinal rather than another name. I sent a PM to Bloodshadow asking for clarification.
It might have been referring to a more abstract nature in those elements.

Bloodshadow: "It means "of fundamental importance". Space, time, order, chaos, those aspects are about as "fundamental" as one can get."

Something dealing with fundamental aspects of the game might make sense.

[Xenocidius]

There seems to be a bit of debate on balancing Glowworm | Elite Glowworm (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,34252), notably whether it should generate 1 or 2 quanta when played. Your thoughts on this (and other aspects of the card)?

In a more broad question, what is your opinion on instant quanta generation like this and Nova/Immolation?

[OldTrees]

There seems to be a bit of debate on balancing Glowworm | Elite Glowworm (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,34252), notably whether it should generate 1 or 2 quanta when played. Your thoughts on this (and other aspects of the card)?

In a more broad question, what is your opinion on instant quanta generation like this and Nova/Immolation?

2 quanta.

At 1 quanta generated:
Cost: 1 -2|3 damage + 1 +1 card-> Creature costing 3 |3 +1 card*
Cost: ~3 -2|3 damage +1 card -> Creature costing 3 |3 +1 card
Cost: ~3 +Spark +1 card -> Creature costing 3 |3 +1 card
Cost: ~3 +2 cards -> Creature costing 3 |3 +1 card
Cost: ~4 +1 card -> Creature costing 3 |3 +1 card [4>3]
*Note: Glowworm generates the quanta when played rather than at the end of the turn. A minor detail.

Trio cards have significantly less versatility than Duo cards. This is why Firefly is a Mono/Duo hybrid rather than a Duo/Trio hybrid like Glowworm.

Instant quanta generation like nova and immolation is a counter to denial. The game would benefit from more denial and antidenial. Glowworm does not fit in that niche.

[EmeraldTiger]

What makes up the major theme of the the other 2 element groups?

[OldTrees]

What makes up the major theme of the the other 2 element groups?

Most elements have a few high level key concepts that act as major themes. Trying to combine them into one effect is difficult and varies based on the key concepts selected.

The Cardinal Elements seem to describe a fundemantal fabric of reality. For the Cardinal Elements  , I tied to suggest an effect tied to fundamental aspects of EtG and be a combination of Copying Cards, Biased Luck, Moving Cards and Certainty.
End result: "Put a copy of target card on top of a random deck."

These are the selections I would make. However I am not the thematic expert on all of these Elements. Don't forget to see if you have a better theme to represent.
The Spiritual Elements are  . They seem to deal with less tangible aspects of the game. Manipulate, Decay, Ignore, and Grow.
The Material Elements are  . The material elements deal with very material concepts. Maneuverability, Destruction, Strength, Patience.

[Zaealix]

Had an idea for a card that Froze Permanents based on the amount of stacks, as a  spell...
Good Mechanic to Thematic match, or should I look elsewhere?

[OldTrees]

Had an idea for a card that Froze Permanents based on the amount of stacks, as a  spell...
Good Mechanic to Thematic match, or should I look elsewhere?

Does the mechanic fit the theme? Most likely, yes.
Froze (see Freeze)
as a Water spell (see Freeze again)
effecting permanents (see Ice Bolt)
based on the amount of stacks (what do you mean? In any case it would probably not disrupt the preexisting strong thematic link.)

[Zaealix]

The idea was that this card would 'soft-combo' with Trident, seeing as it's current duo useage is difficult to implement, by stopping pillars and pendulums from producing quanta for a while. I figured either the freeze would last longer the smaller the stack (ice layer is thicker and thus takes longer to remove) Or, as in my modified form, would freeze for every stack of permenants your opponent controls.
The soft-combo being that you use this to stop alot of different sources for a while, giving the Trident time to earthquake the pillars and pendulums, resulting in a quanta lockdown.
I don't like the freeze all permants for every stack of permants, since that would translate to a VERY long freeze, during which you just watch and rage as you are forced to discard several cards, and your opponent beats you down, so that's why I came to you.