PROJECT Gaian vs Cthonic : The Elemental Factions [Archive]

[OldTrees]

It seems the general consensus is heading for a Tech-based element.  Are there any other routes we want to go or is Tech good for everyone?

It would need an elemental theme. Tech can be the strategy but Tech is a composite and thus not an element IMO.

See Gravity as an example:
Elemental theme: Gravity / Order
Strategy: Heavy, Tech, or Momentum

Tech is an element of Metal that utilizes Mechanical machines that are likely to be Electrically powered and come from the Future.

Is this really just strategy with some thematic extensions or a theme that could be composed into an element? (Mind is an element of Perception that relies on Confusion and Illusory techniques, though some cards focus more on Creation and Healing.)

Technology is the making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, modifications, arrangements and procedures.

The name "elemental" means or implies irreducibility. Technology is made of tools made of multiple different elements.
The Mind is not made of multiple different elements nor is it made of a single other element. It is not made of Aether despite Aether being able to influence its perceptions. It is not made of Entropy despite being affected by entropy. It is not made of darkness despite being fooled by illusion. Strategies can be shared across elements.

This is the crucial difference. An element is an irreducible homogeneous building block. Technology fails both criteria and thus is a multi element theme. This does not prevent a highly technological element. It merely requires you to have an element that would be highly technological.

[Annele]

What about a Strength sort of element? With maybe stack-able sheilds or weapon or something. Ways of increasing attack or defense, not necessarily in creatures.

[OldTrees]

I like the idea of an element with a Strength strategy. What would the element be?

[russianspy1234]

I like the idea of an element with a Strength strategy. What would the element be?

Body?

[OldTrees]

I like the idea of an element with a Strength strategy. What would the element be?

Body?

I think Body has a greater problem than Technology when it comes to being non homogeneous/reducible.

[ZephyrPhantom]

I like the idea of a Strength element as well.

If the theme is to be 'stacking', I see also as a way to merge it with Technology, based on storyteller's Mecha Tribe and my own PseudoElement Astral (which never quite made it to the forums).

Gear System
Strength's power is proportional to the amount of 'strength' it has gathered up over time. This translates to encouraging cards to cluster/stack together.

As a result, the Strength element generates 'Gears', which are stored in the Mark rather than in the direct quanta pool. As a counterbalance to anti-denial, players that get hit with a strong attack may lose a few gears. (You lose strength when wounded - this mechanic might be unecessary due to the below 'Gear Transfer'.)

All Strength-based cards have the opportunity to accumulate 'Gears' that enhance their strength or abilities accordingly. Gears would be transferred from the Mark to a Gear-based permanent by clicking on the mark and transferring a Gear to target card. This is repeatable at the moment with a limit of 10 gears per turn. Due to the potential to exponentially outgrow elemental counterparts in the long run. Strength creatures often start out overcosted to compensate for longterm boosts. Some Strength cards may appear with short term advantage but have a longterm disadvantage.

Example :
Prismatic Megii
2 | 1 Gear
1 | 1
For each Gear on it Pristmatic Megii generates 1 random quanta.

Astral Satellite
3 
For each 2 Gears on it Astral Satellite generates 1 quanta of your mark.

Forgotten Artificer
2 Mind
1 | 2
1 Mind : Discard a card in your hand. Gain 3 Gears.

Steel Colossus
5 Gear
7 | 7
Starts with 3 Gears.
Upkeep 2 Gears per turn.

[OldTrees]

@ZBlader
Your over-enthusiasm is leading you to create a non elemental series using a non elemental cost that does not have an elemental theme for a thread called The 14th element.

I assume you read what I said about irreducible and homogeneous base units and I know you remember the difference between elemental series and pseudoelements involving quanta pools. If you disagree then go ahead.

[storyteller]

Force

as in, inertia, kinetic energy, etc

Force. While gravity is a 'force' it is one of the basic types of energy in the universe, the other three being electro-magnetism, weak atomic force and strong atomic force, with gravity being the weakest. Im using the term here as an abstraction, to mean Kinetic Energy.

Force, possibly Power, Energy or Kinetics translates to strength, technology (the fabrication of force into complex forms and patterns) and is irreducible and homogeneous. Force can be many things, but its in and of itself, complete.

[Annele]

I like the name Force. It suits my vague idea, I think.

[OldTrees]

Force is a good example of something homogeneous that is also irreducible.
5 Newtons can be reduced but Newtons cannot be reduced.

[storyteller]

With this in mind, I propose the following card

Compression | Buildup
Target Force Card deals double damage on its next action
(should be a little expensive to prevent abuse)

or

Compressor | Amplifier
Permanent
Target Force Card (or Card) deals double damage on its next action
(strong activation cost to prevent abuse


this goes in line with some notions of combining cards to make complex effects,


Targeting Array | Long Range Scope
Permanent
Redirect next card to hit a specific target, used to convert creature attacks to the player and vice versa


Gaussian Rail | Railgun
Permanent
Target gains momentum until end of turn.

[ARTHANASIOS]

Personally, I think we should have Metal and Wood as new elements, since they are the only "original" elements than have not appeared yet in any new-element discussion (correct me if wrong here).
Moreover, Wood and Metal can be considered opposite elements, since there always were "struggle" between them during history and they also represent different time periods. Wooden weapons and shields were replaced by metallic ones, wooden ammunition (arrows) were replaced by metallic ones (bullets), wooden vehicles (wagons) were replaced by metallic ones (cars) etc.
Furthermore, they have also different capabilities; Wood floats while Metal sinks, Wood breaks while Metal bends, Wood is organic while Metal is inorganic, Wood is soft while Metal is hard etc.
About Force, well I am not sure about it. I find it too generic to be an element by itself...