Increasing the Variety of Quantum Distribution in Decks

[ZephyrPhantom]

Objective : To increase the balance and range of the various quanta distributions  (Mono, Duo, Trio, Rainbow) Including making these categories feel  different than each other.

We hope the community will take an interest and help develop a few ideas to further this purpose as well as promote noteworthy ideas to be placed in game to help deck variety. By increasing the variety of quantum generations and other cards that support underused decks, we can help shift the metagame towards a more balanced state where players are encouraged to use a variety of creative decks in contrast to decks that have rather similar concepts.

Contents

Overview (#post_overview)

Support Card Listing (#post_list) Mono Decks (#post_mono) Duo Decks (#post_duo) Trio-Quintet Decks (#post_trio) Rainbow (#post_rainbow)

Overview

Q: Why is favoritism to rainbow decks negative?
It negatively contributes to the originality of user decks and results in a  lack of variety after random cards are just placed with a bunch of  Novas and QTs. Newer players in ETG tend to go for rainbows upon learning that they are the most effective type of deck.
Deck such as Mono decks lack variety due to small size of card pool, while duos Duos and Trios can draw from larger card pools for more variety. However, Trios lack the support needed for their own unique feel and archetypes.

Q: Why should there be more support for Trios?
It opens up an unexplored route for decks to develop and develops new  styles for the game. Creatively   designed quantum generators tend to  contribute a lot of to the game,  as  Nova showed by jumpstarting the rainbow archetype in a sense. Likewise, more quantum sources and/or  better quantum  manipulation for duos and  trios could result in new  deck archetypes  being created. More support  for trios/quartets in  particular may lead  to previously subpar strategies becoming viable.

Q: What kinds of individual styles/feels could be created? Could you provide examples?

I currently have two styles thought up of so far. More are welcome for suggestion.

Style 1 : Synergy Focus

A.  A "Main Element" is selected, and synergies around it are gathered into  a concrete deck that does not rely on stuffing all 12 elements into it.  Off-element usage covers for main element weaknesses.
[/li](Example: Earth is the Main Element. Trident/Devourer/EQ/Warden stall as a method of completely quantalocking the opponent while dealing with spare creatures.  Pulverizer could be another option if PC is required.)[/li]B. Putting various synergies that work very well together, thus "interlocking" a mass of synergies into a deck that has flexibility but is less limited than a mono or duo.
[/li](Example: Rage Potion/Angel/Sky Blitz for a high ATK OTK)[/li][/list]Style 2 : Middle Ground

Maintains flexibility while keeping the deck focused on its main goal.[/li](Example:  The Trident/Devourer/EQ/Warden stall's main objective is quantum denial. CC from warden is a secondary benefit. If a user wanted a more  domination style deck with steady damage input he could use Steel Golem or Graboid or Lava Golem (The latter two result in a quintet) or add  Nightmare or Drain Life as healing secondaries.)[/li]

Listing
What are the definable quantum distributions so far, and what cards support these decks?
The objective here to list an archive of cards that boost certain decktypes within the game to a notable degree, create new decktypes, or promote certain underused decks to help the game usually through the use of quantum 'mechanics' in ETG, specifically how it is generated.

(It is possible non-generating cards may also strongly support certain archtypes (Such as SoSe for Rainbow). Such cards will be listed if the card strongly associates with the archetype.)
Mono - 1 Element Deck
Status Ingame : Underused

Support Cards Ingame :
(Note - Quantum Creatures tend to be extremely flexible. They tend to work in all four types of decks as a result, which is why they appear in all 4 sections.)
Pillars (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/stone-pillar-stone-tower/)
Pendulums (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/earth-pendulum-earth-pendulum/) (as an Earthquake counter)
Quantum Producing Creatures (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/gnome-rider-gnome-gemfinder/)
Immolation (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-fire/immolation-cremation/) ( )
Soul Catcher (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-death/soul-catcher-soul-catcher/) ( )
Solar Buckler (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-light/solar-shield-solar-buckler/) ( )
Luceferin (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-light/luciferin-luciferase/) ( )
Playable Marks (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-light/mark-of-light-mark-of-light/) (Potentially Negligible)

Potential Support Ideas:
Quantum Flash (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,5983.0.html) ( , Armory)
Hurry (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,33771) ( , Forge) and Invigor (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26918) ( , Smithy)
Solar Ward (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36072) ( , Crucible)
Diffusion (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,36041) ( , Crucible)
Rush (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,19629.0.html) ( , Forge)
Shard of Dependability (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,37155.0.html) ( , Smithy)
Sponge (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35652.0.html) ( , Crucible)
Lands (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26987) (Smithy)
Elemental Pools (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25253) (Crucible Archive)

Duo - 2 Element Deck
Status Ingame : Semi-Used

Support Cards Ingame :
Pendulums (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-entropy/entropy-pendulum-entropy-pendulum/)
Rustler (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-life/rustler-leaf-dragon/)
Firefly (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-air/firefly-elite-firefly/)
Quantum Producing Creatures (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/gnome-rider-gnome-gemfinder/)

Potential Support Ideas:
Pyriel's Torch (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?topic=30202.0) ( , Crucible)
Elemental Temples (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,16622.0.html) (Forge Archive)
Gem Maker (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,32317.0.html) (Forge)


Trio/Quartet/Quintet - 3/4/5 Element decks
Status Ingame : Underused

Support Cards Ingame :
Pendulums (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-entropy/entropy-pendulum-entropy-pendulum/) (To a limited degree)
Quantum Producing Creatures (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/gnome-rider-gnome-gemfinder/)
Firefly Queen (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-air/firefly-queen-elite-queen/)

Desired Feels:
Fine tuned element
Interlocking synergy

Potential Support Ideas:
In general : Quanta Producers, cards that would cover the weakness of another element, synergies that work together.
Quantum Locket (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,25665.0.html) ( , Armory)
Alliance Pendant (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?topic=23155.0) ( , Crucible Archive)
Harmonic Pillar (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,5643.0.html) ( , Armory)
Quartet Pillars (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,33409) (Crucible)
Soul Pillar (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,24473.0.html) ( , Armory)
Quantum Harmonizer (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,21493.0.html) ( , Forge)
Quantum Fountain (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,11340.0.html) ( , Smithy)
Recomposer (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,20922.0.html) ( , Smithy)
Implode (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?topic=7033.0) ( , Armory)
Construct Pillar (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,30798) ( , Forge)
Paradigm Flux (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,27113) ( , Smithy )
Refractor (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,27139) ( , Smithy)
Element Amulets (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,14304) (Crucible Archive)
Core Pillars (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26939.0.html) and Crown Pillars (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26940.0.html) (Smithy)
Diverse Pillar (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26941.0.html) (Smithy)

Rainbow - Usually 5> Elements
Status Ingame : Overused

Support Cards Ingame :
Quantum Pillar (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/permanent/quantum-pillar-quantum-tower/)
Immolation (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-fire/immolation-cremation/) ( )
Nova (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-entropy/nova-supernova/)
Quantum Producing Creatures (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-earth/gnome-rider-gnome-gemfinder/)

Non-Quantum Generating Examples:
Shard of Serendipity (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/spell/shard-of-serendipity-shard-of-serendipity/) (Provides random cards that come from any element.)
Discord (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/cards-entropy/discord-discord/) (Indirectly Supports Rainbows as they are affected less by Discord)

Potential Support Ideas:
Quantum Pendulum (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,14083.0.html) ( , Armory)
Temple (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?topic=7033.0) ( , Smithy)
Feathergrace (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,35655.0.html) ( , Crucible)
Primal Quantum (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26935) ( , Crucible)
Lotus (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26904.0.html) ( , Smithy)
Lotus (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26904.0.html) ( , Smithy)
Philsopher's Stone (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,26916) ( , Crucible Archive)
Special thanks to the Card Idea Planning Round Table for helping out.
Feel free to suggest ideas that you feel add on to this list and why it would help. Also feel free to share you thoughts on what decks need boosts and which cards would be the most effective at boosting these decks.

[bogtro]

You've lost me. I may be misunderstanding this, but why is nova not a rainbow support card?

Sidenote: feels too much like school :3

[dragonsdemesne]

I'll agree with almost anything that allows trios to become viable.  In an unrestricted environment, I have never seen a good trio deck.  (not counting cards like animate weapon that don't actually use a 3rd kind of quanta)  One thing I'd like to see is more types of pillars that generate different kinds of quanta, or have secondary effects or more quanta at a cost (like hp or sacrificing the card), or that sort of thing.  Creatures that generate quanta also help, since they serve a dual purpose (gemfinders, fireflies, etc) as do creatures like leaf dragon to increase the viability of duos.  The elemental temples you linked to are one good example of this.  Another that I saw (forget the name/creator) was a set of three towers, one of which cycled between    (the classical elements of mythology),    in another tower, and then  in the last one.

Another idea I had, but never got around to posting, involved a series of towers that, in unupgraded form, were identical to pillars, but when upgraded, instead of providing +1 quanta on playing, gave secondary effects, like healing a few hp, raising mx hp a bit, dealing a small amount of damage to one target, like 2 or 3, removing one poison counter, etc.  This would increase the variety of quanta bases and force people to make decisions like "do I use towers to get extra quanta when played" or "do I forego that extra quanta and use dragonsdemesne's quanta generators and get some extra hp or whatever instead?"

Also, encouraging cards that require one form of quanta to play, but another for the ability, is another obvious way to discourage monos.  The in-development card Seraph is a great example of this, as are cards like steam machine, lava destroyer, forest spectre, etc.  Firefly Queen/Elite FFQ is the best current in-game example of this; it requires air to cast, life to activate it, and then the fireflies produce light or fire, depending on upgrade status.