I had an idea for a card mechanic that I thought would be interesting:
Channeled SpellsThe idea is that the player will channel energy into a power spell effect, but will be vulnerable until the spell is unleashed. Additionally, there is a chance that interference from the opponent will cause the spell to be "disrupted", causing it to backfire and release the stored energy uncontrollably.
When a channeled spell is played, it creates a permanent called "Channelling - #SPELL_NAME#", a "stackable" permanent that can be targeted like pillars or other regular / stackable permanent.
While the channeling stack is in play, the owner cannot play any other spells, use any activated permanent abilities, or attack with their weapon. (Creature abilities and abilities that function automatically still function normally)
Each turn, the spell will draw power from their quanta and add one or more "charges" to the stack.
At anytime, the player may "unleash" the stored charges and direct the channeled spell's power at a chosen target (if needed).
The opponent may attempt to disrupt the channeled spell, causing it to backfire. This may be accomplished by:
- Using permanent / pillar destruction
- chance to cause "disruption"
- depleting all charges will destroy the channeled spell, causing it to leave play harmlessly
- Dealing heavy damage
- chance to cause disruption whenever player takes damage.
- disruption chance is based on amount of damage dealt, the exact mechanics / formula here can be figured out later
- Silence
- Quanta denial
- automatic disruption if the channeling cost is not payed
- Hand modification (maybe?)
- chance to cause disruption
- may be based on cards being added or discarded from hand (excluding normal draws)
When disrupted, the channeled spell will target wildly (maybe even affecting multiple targets)