Ask the Idea Guru

[OldTrees]

General analyse for Confusion (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35472.0.html) please.

It fits entropy well and requires focused deckbuilding to mitigate side effects.

Usually it will block 2|3 attacks by the creature (similar but less than Freeze) and delivers 2|3 bolts (similar but better than 2|3 Lightnings).

[eaglgenes101]

What should I consider before posting a card that can use multiple kinds of quanta?

[OldTrees]

What should I consider before posting a card that can use multiple kinds of quanta?

1) You should consider what type of "multiple kinds of quanta" you are referring to. (Though I have a guess)

Duo
Duo cards use one type for a casting cost and one type for the activation cost. Note that a duo has an activation cost matching the theme of the activated ability and a casting cost matching the theme of everything else including passive abilities.

Other
Other cards use any type of quanta for their costs. As such they are meant to be able to fit in the theme of any element or be generic enough (like Longsword) not to need any element at all.

Hybrid (my guess)
Hybrid quanta is a pseudoquanta that can be paid with any combination of two types of quanta including being paid in full with only one type of quanta. At the core Hybrid cards are 2 mono cards with identical mechanics. A hybrid Air/Aether card would need to make sense as a mono Air and as a mono Aether card. Unlike duo, only themes native to both elements should be used on a hybrid card. Air controls storms which involve Lightning. Aether controls electricity which involves Lightning. Lightning can be used for a hybrid card because Lightning is part of both elements.

other forms of Pseudoquanta
Each pseudoquanta has its own kinds of thematic requirements that are derived from the pseudoquanta mechanic.

Essentially it boils down to this: Any effect that can be paid for with only  should fit Aether thematically.

[Rutarete]

Would you use this card (Shadow Stalker) (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35509.0.html)? Why?

[OldTrees]

Would you use this card (Shadow Stalker) (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35509.0.html)? Why?

No I would not use it.
It is more expensive all things considered than Twin Universe, Sky Blitz for Chimera or even Adrenaline in most cases.

The best case scenario is 9 attack dealing +27 damage over 3 turns.
A 9 attack creature with no death timer is theoretically worth 8|6.5 + 1 card.

In summary:
I would use Twin Universe, Skyblitz, Adrenaline or Black Dragon over Shadow Stalker.

[Rutarete]

Would you use this card (Shadow Stalker) (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35509.0.html)? Why?

No I would not use it.
It is more expensive all things considered than Twin Universe, Sky Blitz for Chimera or even Adrenaline in most cases.

The best case scenario is 9 attack dealing +27 damage over 3 turns.
A 9 attack creature with no death timer is theoretically worth 8|6.5 + 1 card.

In summary:
I would use Twin Universe, Skyblitz, Adrenaline or Black Dragon over Shadow Stalker.

Is cost the only factor in the above decision?

[OldTrees]

Would you use this card (Shadow Stalker) (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35509.0.html)? Why?

No I would not use it.
It is more expensive all things considered than Twin Universe, Sky Blitz for Chimera or even Adrenaline in most cases.

The best case scenario is 9 attack dealing +27 damage over 3 turns.
A 9 attack creature with no death timer is theoretically worth 8|6.5 + 1 card.

In summary:
I would use Twin Universe, Skyblitz, Adrenaline or Black Dragon over Shadow Stalker.

Is cost the only factor in the above decision?

I have fairly broad tastes as far as gameplay is concerned. At a balanced cost I would find some use for it in its niche (size and shape of niche depend on balancing method).
I kinda dislike how little the opponent is involved considering it is a Darkness card. This could be improved by having it balanced such that it could target any creature.

There are only 4 considerations that would prevent me from using a card:
Sufficiently unbalanced
Sufficiently poor thematic resonance (contradicting theme)
Sufficiently inelegant mechanic ("Block momentum")
Elemental hate cards (Holy Light)

[EmeraldTiger]

What in standard would be used to determine balance here? http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35654.0.html

[OldTrees]

What in standard would be used to determine balance here? http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35654.0.html

Any Kael Card. 

I would compare it to several things:
1) Discord scrambles quanta which renders it nigh useless. Except the "useless quanta" protects the remaining quanta. [+3 for Scramble 10]
2) Earthquake destroys quanta production but does not destroy existing quanta. [+4per3 but might be OP]
3) Devourers drain quanta but if you remove the "Generate " part of the ability then it is "Destroy quanta". [+2per]

After that you can add on for each of the other abilities and the attack. Usually card design is capped at 2 abilities. Why are you considering 4 especially since 3 look irrelevant?

[Rutarete]

I kinda dislike how little the opponent is involved considering it is a Darkness card. This could be improved by having it balanced such that it could target any creature.

It already can. Or did you mean something else?

[OldTrees]

I kinda dislike how little the opponent is involved considering it is a Darkness card. This could be improved by having it balanced such that it could target any creature.

It already can. Or did you mean something else?

Oh! It can already target the opponent's 15|11 Lava Golem? In that case, ignore that comment of mine and, finish balancing it against Twin Universe and Antimatter.

[EmeraldTiger]

your thoughts on http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35691.0.html