Community Card Design : Gaian vs Cthonic [Core Set - 17/17]

[ZephyrPhantom]

a cthonic permanent. I say fire?

Might be interesting given that we just did the Element and Faction across from it. We could also stick to the Gaian permanents and try to develop for an element that already synergizes with Water like , , or (Forest Spirit, Trident, and Puffer Fish respectively) .

[EmeraldTiger]

Would there be something that generated Spare Parts and when something is destroyed it also generates the parts?

[eaglgenes101]

^ Maybe something like devour, but instead of the devourer gaining +1|+1, generates quanta.

[Captain Scibra]

Spare parts gives me a REALLY good idea.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Spare Parts sounds Cthonic, however transmuting a card into token 'piece' cards has been regarded as clunky in the part if done carelessly. I'm not sure how draining enemy quanta to grow translates into attaching spare parts.

I was thinking of an 'Evolving' type card that grew every time a card activated an ability. (This would synergize well with Gaian's constant counter-placement abilities.)

Are there any other suggestions we could consider? (It sounds like we're moving towards a central ability for the next card as opposed to a designated element or design slot.)

[storyteller]

Id like to suggest two 'core' Cthonic cards.

Cthonic Cave Soldier
1 
1|2


the Cave Soldier is a creature spawned if certain machines die. Or permanents are destroyed.

Improvised Equipment
1 
permanent
0: remove a counter to add +1|+1 to a creature. if 0 counters, discard this card

this is a form of the Cthonic 'counter' or spare parts. it gives creatures a small, direct bonus.


these are just some thoughts, but we should establish these 'counters' for the cthonic forces. they dont have the Genesis effects of mutability, so are more direct. These are like Cells or Skeletons. They should be a very straightforward group of cards, but we should get it out if the way.

[ZephyrPhantom]

I see Cthonic's theme working two ways:

1) Spawning token cards if cards are destroyed. These token cards may have an aftereffect like spare parts.
2) Sacrificing/weakening/discarding other cards to benefit user/allies.

Given the design of spare parts I think Cthonic charges or stacks are preferable to counters, since you're stockpiling them similar to bonewalls or pillars.

[EmeraldTiger]

Would a card called "The Depot" be like a storage for "Spare Part" counters? U draw a counter it becomes a Part connected to any of the Cthonic Elements

Edit: and when a part played on a creature the counter is represented by that elements color.
Examples:

[storyteller]

thats exactly what I am talking about. Cave Soldier is a creature, so no worries there, the Improvised Weapon, is a Card Stack. It doesnt even have to stack. But a simple +1|+1 is good, a pure alternative to Genesis counters that grant lots of abilities.

I see more Spare Parts that do different things, than a renamed Genesis counter. Cthonic Parts should be specific in what they do and not mutable.

[ZephyrPhantom]

Would a card called "The Depot" be like a storage for "Spare Part" counters? U draw a counter it becomes a Part connected to any of the Cthonic Elements

Edit: and when a part played on a creature the counter is represented by that elements color.
Examples:

It seems too complex. Each individual part would have to be represented by a different counter. Each counter we add to the set makes it increasingly complex.
I would rather have token cards that state their effect on the card than lots of counters I have to look up on a wiki.

thats exactly what I am talking about. Cave Soldier is a creature, so no worries there, the Improvised Weapon, is a Card Stack. It doesnt even have to stack. But a simple +1|+1 is good, a pure alternative to Genesis counters that grant lots of abilities.

I see more Spare Parts that do different things, than a renamed Genesis counter. Cthonic Parts should be specific in what they do and not mutable.

I agree that Spare Parts should avoid being renamed Genesis counters. Based on the improvised weapon example, I also agree makes sense for Spare-Parts-themed cards to be cards that accumulate stacks from specific effects (destruction, drawing a card, discarding, etc...) and remove stacks to trigger specific effects (such as the +1|+1 counter) as opposed to Gaian's "Genesis counter cards get [custom buff]" theme. (E.g. Remove a stack from [card] - deal 5 damage to target creature or player.]

Our next design session will probably focus on this mechanic further. Until then, I think we should start suggesting ideas using this mechanic like Improvised Weapon.
E.g.
Cthonforge Hammer
2 | 1
Deals 2 damage per turn. Stacks.
When a permanent is destroyed, add a stack.
Remove a stack – target creature gets +5 | +0 until end of turn.

[EmeraldTiger]

So these parts would need to come in the form of Spells? If yes, Would they be teaching and/or buff spell? further questions may come to mind.

[storyteller]

So these parts would need to come in the form of Spells? If yes, Would they be teaching and/or buff spell? further questions may come to mind.

I dont think so. The idea is they are effects, like

some cthonic tank or something is destroyed, and as its death effect, produces a couple of cheapo soldier guys and a few parts.

Its the opposite of genesis counters, in that they should only be very focused on strength and one or two skills, momentum, burrow maybe. genesis gets lots of different things as is almost random, but cthonic reuse, is very straightforward


gaian: all things in nature can be adapted to a purpose, there are many ways to face each situation, the environment provides countless option.

cthonic: doesnt really matter where we are, pretty sure I can find something laying around and beat you in the face with it.