:rainbow cost skills?

[choongmyoung]

During some random thinking, I recognized there's no creature or permanent that has cost ability.
So before going deeper on this, Let's talk about skills.
I wonder how can we balance skills, and what theme will fit into it.

Right now I don't have specific ideas, but I believe you guys will come up with ideas.
I hope this topic inspires creative and original card ideas.

[Drake_XIV]

The idea of having a cost would be an ability that is too broad and would not fit into a given element.  And technically, there is, but they are 0 cost...

[Rutarete]

The idea of having a cost would be an ability that is too broad and would not fit into a given element.  And technically, there is, but they are 0 cost...

Not necessarily. It could also be zero of that element. We don't know for sure.

I'll brainstorm on costs.

[Zso_Zso]

short bow / long-bow weapon from Other could get a  3x cost skill to target a creature, just like Owl's eyes, but doing less damagae, e.g. 1 for unupped and 2 for upped version.

In general, it would make sense to have such skill cost in Other category as their play-cost is also 

[EmeraldTiger]

I wonder, if there was a random cost skill, could there be a way to track element used? This would allow for various results.

[choongmyoung]

I wonder, if there was a random cost skill, could there be a way to track element used? This would allow for various results.

Sorry, didn't get it. Could you explain it again?

[CuCN]

I wonder, if there was a random cost skill, could there be a way to track element used? This would allow for various results.

Sorry, didn't get it. Could you explain it again?

Say a skill costs 1 . The question is if it's possible to have it do something different when it uses 1 , for example, than when it uses 1 .

[EmeraldTiger]

I wonder, if there was a random cost skill, could there be a way to track element used? This would allow for various results.

Sorry, didn't get it. Could you explain it again?

Say a skill costs 1 . The question is if it's possible to have it do something different when it uses 1 , for example, than when it uses 1 .

That is correct CuCN.

[Pineapple]

I'd be surprised if it hasn't already been done. The only change a card maker would have to do is change the 0 in "0 : ability_name" to any positive integer. Of course, while this is something we do in CI&A, zero-cost abilities have been shown in the game as "ability_name:".

I wonder, if there was a random cost skill, could there be a way to track element used? This would allow for various results.

If I recall correctly, there is a simple fix that would entail modifying the single ability-use function by adding some nasty (uses global variable boolean) piece of code (not to say that the code is currently pristine or anything). I may be wrong though.
The idea, however, does sound interesting enough to be one we should pursue.

[neuroleptics]

That will be too random. cards under Other have already been made available to be played just using any quantas available. This applies to upgraded AW  too. Being able to use just any  quanta that you choose can make a bow deck too powerful.
The other thing to ponder is where would it fit? 'other'?

[choongmyoung]

That will be too random. cards under Other have already been made available to be played just using any quantas available. This applies to upgraded AW  too. Being able to use just any  quanta that you choose can make a bow deck too powerful.
The other thing to ponder is where would it fit? 'other'?

Like creature with cost ability.

/

I think random skill is too random. (unreliable)

[OldTrees]

I remember a case of  skills.
Case: Mitosis Flying Other Weapon (removed due to being broken)

How can we balance  activation costs? Here is my guess
AC <   -> 
AC =   -> 
AC = 2-3   -> 
AC > 3   -> Redesign


However I do not think " activation cost" is a starting point for an idea. That detail feels more like the detail of "2 Atk" or "3 casting cost" than a basis for inspiration.
I recommend remembering that  activation costs are possible so that you have that tool for when it is appropriate. However it is ill advised to treat a design tool as a concept core.