Tunneling | Tunneling

[Alchemist]

I agree that Antlions need more love - really do. And not just Antlions, but many cards as well. Now, with new shards implemented, and many other cards powered up we can simply toss away many of our cards. Great cards like vultures, or feral bonds loss their purpose. And Antlions are at the bottom of that chain. And the love you'd like to give to Antlions will go to pests more likely than to Antlions. Cause, really, most of us (you as well probably) don't play for love - but to win. And "love" aspect here means - more things. Fun, versatility, and different approaches to game. Buffing Antlions would be much better idea than buffing burrow. Cause really, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 15, 20 fractal pests have no problem stalling and waiting for SoP to work, since they deny quantum from opp. Antlions would still be worse choice than pests. Plus: burrowed creatures get +1 from SoP. Now: you say "dmg gets halved while burrowed", I say "dmg gets doubled when unburrowed". Yes, this card was meant to be used in a nice way, but you also have to think for what kind of ugly things ppl might use it. Ok, not OP - if we all agree that SoP is UP and needs a buff - I do. Or that pest/fractal deck become too weak. But Antlions will, in most cases, remain where they are. I'm not replying you just to fill a quota, don't worry, your idea is actually a strong one - I told you what I think. Plus I really think that buffing Antlions with passive skill would give them much more love.

[freemod1espilon]

Damage is halved rounded down when burrowed and is doubled when un-burrowed so it has a few little down sides and yes antlion needs love

[Manatuner]

This does gives Graboid Rushes a chance against Mono Aether Shield Chain.

[Drake_XIV]

This does gives Graboid Rushes a chance against Mono Aether Shield Chain.

Nope.  As seen in Notes, Dimensional | Phase Shield is not included.

[freemod1espilon]

Would there be any reason at all it couldn't hit Dim shield Wings and Hope?

[moomoose]

yes.

[freemod1espilon]

yes.

Would you care to share them?

[moomoose]

1) to limit its power as a balancing mechanism
2) phase shield RP would take the opponent into an untouchable dimension, and tunnels wouldnt help reach them.
3) wings RP would take the opponent into the air, where only flying creatures and ranged weapons could reach them, tunnels wouldnt help.
4) hope RP is an abstract shield, tunnels wouldnt help here either.

[ARTHANASIOS]

I like the idea of this buff, since it will encourages  decks to use their borrowing abilities more often. Great card, thumbs up! 

[freemod1espilon]

1) to limit its power as a balancing mechanism
2) phase shield RP would take the opponent into an untouchable dimension, and tunnels wouldnt help reach them.
3) wings RP would take the opponent into the air, where only flying creatures and ranged weapons could reach them, tunnels wouldnt help.
4) hope RP is an abstract shield, tunnels wouldnt help here either.

Thank you for explaining

[OdinVanguard]

1) to limit its power as a balancing mechanism
2) phase shield RP would take the opponent into an untouchable dimension, and tunnels wouldnt help reach them.
3) wings RP would take the opponent into the air, where only flying creatures and ranged weapons could reach them, tunnels wouldnt help.
4) hope RP is an abstract shield, tunnels wouldnt help here either.

Having tried this out in openEtG, I'm inclined to agree here. While its not a perfect play test environment its close enough to see that there are a couple combos that make this very powerful.

The best combo relies on sinkhole. My best grinder deck (mono-earth) makes use of that combo. If both were to make it into the game this card would definitely need a little bit of a nerfing... of course that would require 2 new additions to the earth element.

Without sinkhole, this card is relatively balanced by the fact that your creatures still have to survive until they can burrow, with 1 exception.

Cloak can allow your creatures plenty of time to get burrowed if your opponent isn't ready for it. Its not as much of a sure thing as an autoburrow, but it works quite well. The forced duo does help with balance although that is partially mitigated by the fact that it allows an ugly unkillable devourer combo.

From a thematic point of view (on the other hand) I definitely agree 100% in the case of Wings and Phase Shield. Both seem like they should be immune to this mechanic. Hope is an oddball in that I'm not sure how to interpret the effect, but I can see the reasoning alright.