Ask the Idea Guru

[EmeraldTiger]

I was trying to do protection of resources and denial of opponent's resources. I guess I missed the mark on the part.

[OldTrees]

I was trying to do protection of resources and denial of opponent's resources. I guess I missed the mark on the part.

The card still allows your quanta to be destroyed/drained. No resources were protected.

[Brontos]

Interesting read.

I'm not sure we'll see that much new decks with SoSa in it shifting the metagame perpetually. The death quanta restriction is huge when you try to build a deck with it.

On a side note, I'm concerned about its ability to trivialize a large majority of FG. I know game balancing is done considering PvP mainly. But once you got your SoSa, you have a huge access to "easy" electrums. Much more easier to gather in my experience thzn the RoL/ hope deck, and much more efficient. Not saying that more electrums is a good or a bad thing, but it's a change!

Whatever, we'll see. Thanks for your detailed input.

[OldTrees]

Interesting read.

I'm not sure we'll see that much new decks with SoSa in it shifting the metagame perpetually. The death quanta restriction is huge when you try to build a deck with it.

On a side note, I'm concerned about its ability to trivialize a large majority of FG. I know game balancing is done considering PvP mainly. But once you got your SoSa, you have a huge access to "easy" electrums. Much more easier to gather in my experience thzn the RoL/ hope deck, and much more efficient. Not saying that more electrums is a good or a bad thing, but it's a change!

Whatever, we'll see. Thanks for your detailed input.

You're welcome.
PS: Expect the decks of some of those AI to change. FG have to be unfair right? 

[Zaealix]

So, had the idea for a permanent type card that would allow creatures to benefit from the power of what ever shield you had in play.
Wanted it to be  , for the thematic of toughness, plus combo with PA. However, most shields, with a few exceptions, would not be very effective for this purpose on their own.
(Attack and dodge shields mainly, but very little effect from the damage resistance.) Considering  for interesting mechanic interaction(Gravity pull) Which do you think is more appropriate?

[OldTrees]

So, had the idea for a permanent type card that would allow creatures to benefit from the power of what ever shield you had in play.
Wanted it to be  , for the thematic of toughness, plus combo with PA. However, most shields, with a few exceptions, would not be very effective for this purpose on their own.
(Attack and dodge shields mainly, but very little effect from the damage resistance.) Considering  for interesting mechanic interaction(Gravity pull) Which do you think is more appropriate?

I agree that Earth has a very strong theme of strength and resilience.

Shields tend to protect, with a few exceptions, from Melee damage. Creatures tend to be controlled, with an exception, with Spells and Abilities. If Shielding for creatures only triggered when the Shield would normally trigger then it would require a forced combo with Gravity Pull, Reflective Shield, or Jade Shield. Alternatively Shielding for creatures could be triggered by the Spells and Abilities.

Examples:
A Dusk protected creature would have a 50% chance to evade Lightning.
A Titanium protected creature would have DR 2 from all incoming damage (infection would bypass).
A Reflective protected creature would Reflect spells (not abilities) that target it.
A Phase protected creature would be immaterial for 3 turns.
A Gravity protected creature would not be targetable by the abilities of creatures with 6+ hp (spells have 0hp).
A Thorn protected creature would have a 75% chance to inflict 1 infection/poison to the creature or player.

[Zaealix]

So, had the idea for a permanent type card that would allow creatures to benefit from the power of what ever shield you had in play.
Wanted it to be  , for the thematic of toughness, plus combo with PA. However, most shields, with a few exceptions, would not be very effective for this purpose on their own.
(Attack and dodge shields mainly, but very little effect from the damage resistance.) Considering  for interesting mechanic interaction(Gravity pull) Which do you think is more appropriate?

I agree that Earth has a very strong theme of strength and resilience.

Shields tend to protect, with a few exceptions, from Melee damage. Creatures tend to be controlled, with an exception, with Spells and Abilities. If Shielding for creatures only triggered when the Shield would normally trigger then it would require a forced combo with Gravity Pull, Reflective Shield, or Jade Shield. Alternatively Shielding for creatures could be triggered by the Spells and Abilities.

Examples:
A Dusk protected creature would have a 50% chance to evade Lightning.
A Titanium protected creature would have DR 2 from all incoming damage (infection would bypass).
A Reflective protected creature would Reflect spells (not abilities) that target it.
A Phase protected creature would be immaterial for 3 turns.
A Gravity protected creature would not be targetable by the abilities of creatures with 6+ hp (spells have 0hp).
A Thorn protected creature would have a 75% chance to inflict 1 infection/poison to the creature or player.

I see. I think I will go with Gravity for this idea, and have the shielding for creatures activated by melee, spells or abilites, as the melee is far to limited, and as is this card begs to be  , as other wise it would force a duo or trio to be brought to it's full potential.

[Manipul8r]

Hey OT, I've been gone for a while and I'd like to know about any new insights you've made, and/or a brief summary of any important happenings since I've been off the forum (about 3-4 months I believe).  If you don't really feel like it, or just have a couple highlights you'd rather summarize, that's cool too.

I'm also curious on how your card cost theory and balancing techniques would apply to the Shard of Sacrifice if it was assumed to be a card currently in development.  It seems to me to be an arduous card to balance.

@Zaealix, that's a really cool idea and OT provided some excellent and exciting examples.  Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

[OldTrees]

Hey OT, I've been gone for a while and I'd like to know about any new insights you've made, and/or a brief summary of any important happenings since I've been off the forum (about 3-4 months I believe).  If you don't really feel like it, or just have a couple highlights you'd rather summarize, that's cool too.

Zanzarino has made a major update to the game. Details in Elements 1.29 (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,31187.0.html)
The Shards were changed, new shards were/are being added, some Fire cards were nerfed and a Quanta Cap of 75 per type of quanta was added.

Xenocidius has significantly improved the Card Image Builder (http://xenocidius.webs.com/cardimagebuilder/index.html) and more importantly has created the Game Coding Q&A (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,32442.0.html) thread.

The Metagame and related topics were discussed in depth: The Metagame: a multi-purpose community project (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,30797.0.html), Which elements are "Complete"? (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,30640.0.html)

Interesting discussion about Separating Permanents from Weapons/Shields to balance Permanent Control (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,31619.0.html)

I'm also curious on how your card cost theory and balancing techniques would apply to the Shard of Sacrifice if it was assumed to be a card currently in development.  It seems to me to be an arduous card to balance.

Shard of Sacrifice has no direct quanta cost and the hp cost is more accurately examined as part of the effect. This results in Shard of Sacrifice having a cost of 0quanta + 1 card (or 1 cost unit). Holy Light and Heal both have a 5hp/cost unit ratio. Therefore I would expect Shards of Sacrifices should heal on average across the metagame 5hp per SoSac drawn over the course of a game. We will see how much the hp cost needs to be adjusted after the metagame settles down with counters to the SoSac decks.

[Rutarete]

What are your thoughts on Algrator | Logthregor (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,30712.0.html) ?
If it is to be working with active abilities, how do you think the Crusader loop can be balanced?

[Zaealix]

Never mind. I've figured out a method to make both thematic ideas work.

[Manipul8r]

What are your thoughts on Algrator | Logthregor (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,30712.0.html) ?
If it is to be working with active abilities, how do you think the Crusader loop can be balanced?

"Cannot gain Endow."?