Ask the Idea Guru

[EmeraldTiger]

Would a non-targeting effect like http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36381.0.html be aloud to affect immaterial?

[OldTrees]

Would a non-targeting effect like http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36381.0.html be aloud to affect immaterial?

Do Nightfall, Flooding and Fire Shield all affect Quinted Vampires?
Yes. Immaterial only protects it from targeting effects including mass targeting effects. Non-targeting effects bypass the immaterial defense.

[eaglgenes101]

Can you analyze water sprayer ¦ water jets?

[Anarook]

Snatch (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,34894.msg478427#msg478427)
I got so much positive feedback on the original idea, but it's just too limited in it's uses with the current game.
How would you suggest I go about making it work for the best?
I made a suggestion in one of my posts in teh thread, does that seem like a good route?

[OldTrees]

Can you analyze water sprayer ¦ water jets?

http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35908.msg482735#msg482735
"Shield: Reduce damage by 5-N, where N is the attacking creature's HP. Attacking creatures might die."

This is an antiRush specialized shield. (DR 4 vs lava golem but DR 0 vs most dragons)

Upgraded this is a more complicated form of Skull Buckler.
Chance to die: (45%, 37.5%, 30%, 22.5%, 15%, 7.5%) vs (50%, 25%, 15.7%, 12,5%, 10%, 8.3%)

Its effect is too unique for me to be able to do a direct quantitative comparison to existing cards. The possibility of drowning when upgraded is probably unnecessary. I would have based the cost off the average DR of the shield.

Snatch (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,34894.msg478427#msg478427)
I got so much positive feedback on the original idea, but it's just too limited in it's uses with the current game.
How would you suggest I go about making it work for the best?
I made a suggestion in one of my posts in teh thread, does that seem like a good route?

The major problem is the rarity of the event (discarding) which is needed to trigger the effect.
There are only 4 methods of forcing discarding
1) Silence (limit of 6 discards but probably will be less)
2) Nightmare (limit of 6 discards but probably will be less)
3) Quanta Denial (reliable repeatable)
4) Self inflicted discarding (currently does not trigger)
It might be better if it were modified into a 2 part card. 1 part does not need discards but incentivizes the opponent to be vulnerable to discards. The second part would trigger when the opponent discarded.
Perhaps:
Gain X when the opponent plays a card, gain Y when they discard a card.
Gain X per empty slot in the opponent's hand, gain Y when they discard a card.
Bad stuff when anyone plays a card, gain Y when they discard a card.

So I would consider:
"Gain  when the opponent plays a card. Gain a copy of each card the opponent discards."

[Anarook]

Hmm, I see where you;re comming from with split effects. I do seem to like that.
Don;t like the "gain  when opponent plays a card" though.
Advice is very good. I think I'll make a separate card with this in mind, thank you.

[EmeraldTiger]

 Does this fit a time mechanic?  http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36538.msg490214#msg490214

[Anarook]

As a first thought I would never associate candles with time, they're typically ritualistic in nature.
However, upon thinking over it I can see the approach, a candle burns as time passes.
It's unusual and certainly a different approach, but I'm all for doing the unexpected.
The ideas currently present in that topic are rather... off. You might be able to pull it off, but def needs some work.

[OldTrees]

Does this fit a time mechanic?  http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36538.msg490214#msg490214

As a first thought I would never associate candles with time, they're typically ritualistic in nature.
However, upon thinking over it I can see the approach, a candle burns as time passes.
It's unusual and certainly a different approach, but I'm all for doing the unexpected.
The ideas currently present in that topic are rather... off. You might be able to pull it off, but def needs some work.

The candle is an object that intersects Fire, Light and Time. Many references of various sorts will tie candles to the passage of time including the use of candles as clocks in ancient times.

However you asked about the mechanic (I assume it was Malebolgia's to which you linked)
It could be a time/fire duo mechanic. The ability counts so it can't be called a mono even if both casting and activation cost were .
The significance of the reference to the amount of is a bit worrisome for a time activation cost. Not to mention the attack increasing beyond dragons for so cheap. However the idea of the attack increasing and the duration decreasing could easily be Time compressing the future and present together. Likewise it could be a Fire mechanic representing overexertion for short term gain at the expense of long term welfare.

However many candle based time ideas would also fit Fire very well. Especially all these "short life" ideas.

[Rutarete]

What do you think of Giant Ant (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36251.0.html)?

[OldTrees]

What do you think of Giant Ant (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36251.0.html)?

Giant Ant is a spell that summons 3 creatures in 3 continuous slots if and only if there is such a trio of slots.

5 |5
2|4  Devour creature and regrow legs -> 2|4  Devour creature and regrow legs ->
2|2 (can't attack without legs)
4|4 -> 5|5
If the head is killed then all of the giant is killed.

1)
5 + 1 card for 8|4 with  :Devour is roughly comparable with the Giant Ant
A 4 hp Otyugh with  :Devour would be worth roughly 3 + 1 card.
A 8|4  :Devour creature would be worth roughly 11 + 1card

2)
With the ease of regrowing the legs, I do not think the Leg/Head pair of abilities is preforming its function of presenting a more fragile target for partial CC.

3)
I understand that you think the idea of a larger creature is neat. However I am skeptical that it would be a net benefit to the game compared to the average card added. I feel that many people might find it too ridiculous for their tastes.

[Drake_XIV]

Can I have some feedback on Ocula (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36635.0.html)?

In before any suggestions, I was thinking of:
Dropping health
Making ability one-time use only