For Dreamscape of Noctus I've been looking into different variations of a mechanic I call Aspire to replace Awaken.
Aspire cares about the converted mana cost of spells you cast and if they are larger than the creature with Aspire.
I have three different versions and I'd like some opinions on what everyone likes/dislikes about each version.
Aspire v1 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Fresh Recruit1W
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
Aspire v1 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
1/2
Possibly too powerful, especially at common.
Aspire v2 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, it gets +1/+1 until end turn.)
Mephilwood Charger2G
Creature - Elf Warrior (C)
Trample
Aspire v2 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, it gets +1/+1 until end turn.)
3/1
Possibly too narrow, too similar to Prowess. (though I really like Prowess)
Aspire v3 -- Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than CARDNAME, [EFFECT].
Chronicler of Wonders3U
Creature - Djinn Wizard (C) Aspire v3 -- Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than Chronicler of Wonders, draw a card, then discard a card.
1/5
Ability words are very flexible but can't be defined by rules.
The reason I'm liking how Aspire plays in Dreamscape of Noctus is:
Plays well with Flashback (especially high CMC, low flashback cards)
Encourages playing a good curve
Fits with the slightly aggressive environment that Dreamwalk creates.
Is a creature mechanic (I have mechanics that can go on noncreatures cards at the moment.)
Fits flavorfully with the dreamworld/sense of wonder I'm starting to try and create creatively.
Goblin Artisans explored a similar mechanic, we decided on the following wording:
Has a little ambiguity, but it also is a lot more grokkable. We patterned it off of the wording for cascade, which people seemed to understand just fine.
One problem I see with your mechanic is that it allows for a lot of potential growth - the reason Iteration keys off of power is to prevent it from growing unchecked. (It was inspired by Evolve in that regard.) Limitless growth is dangerous in Limited, harhar.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Known as Inanimate at Goblin Artisans, and TyrRev at /r/custommagic!
Lead Tesla, a community set designed by everyone and led by me, over at Goblin Artisans. Index of articles here!
Keying off power like that is rather interesting.
However I've been increasingly looking at using the ability word option, most likely with a common cycle that just give +1+1 until end of turn.
Thoughts?
Ability word is more open-ended, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Keywords are usually used for triggers that just don't turn out to have a lot of design space, or that need to be unified for simplicity. So if you end up with a complex set, or if you find you just can't stretch to find enough possible triggered effects, then yeah, go with the keyword. But for now, I think an ability word would be cooler.
You could also do what Prowess did - keyword with basic effect, and some cards, like Seeker of the Way, have additional effects.
Lastly, do note that "converted mana cost" hasn't appeared on a common card in ages - Disdainful Stroke is the only common in Standard that references it, currently. Making a keyword out of that phrase is going to be difficult.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Known as Inanimate at Goblin Artisans, and TyrRev at /r/custommagic!
Lead Tesla, a community set designed by everyone and led by me, over at Goblin Artisans. Index of articles here!
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Aspire cares about the converted mana cost of spells you cast and if they are larger than the creature with Aspire.
I have three different versions and I'd like some opinions on what everyone likes/dislikes about each version.
Aspire v1 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
Aspire v1 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
1/2
Aspire v2 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, it gets +1/+1 until end turn.)
Creature - Elf Warrior (C)
Trample
Aspire v2 (Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than this, it gets +1/+1 until end turn.)
3/1
Aspire v3 -- Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than CARDNAME, [EFFECT].
Creature - Djinn Wizard (C)
Aspire v3 -- Whenever you cast a spell with greater converted mana cost than Chronicler of Wonders, draw a card, then discard a card.
1/5
The reason I'm liking how Aspire plays in Dreamscape of Noctus is:
Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
Has a little ambiguity, but it also is a lot more grokkable. We patterned it off of the wording for cascade, which people seemed to understand just fine.
One problem I see with your mechanic is that it allows for a lot of potential growth - the reason Iteration keys off of power is to prevent it from growing unchecked. (It was inspired by Evolve in that regard.) Limitless growth is dangerous in Limited, harhar.
Lead Tesla, a community set designed by everyone and led by me, over at Goblin Artisans. Index of articles here!
However I've been increasingly looking at using the ability word option, most likely with a common cycle that just give +1+1 until end of turn.
Thoughts?
Are you designing commons? Check out my primer on NWO.
Interested in making a custom set? Check out my Set skeleton and archetype primer.
I also write articles about getting started with custom card creation.
Go and PLAYTEST your designs, you will learn more in a single playtests than a dozen discussions.
My custom sets:
Dreamscape
Coins of Mercalis [COMPLETE]
Exodus of Zendikar - ON HOLD
You could also do what Prowess did - keyword with basic effect, and some cards, like Seeker of the Way, have additional effects.
Lastly, do note that "converted mana cost" hasn't appeared on a common card in ages - Disdainful Stroke is the only common in Standard that references it, currently. Making a keyword out of that phrase is going to be difficult.
Lead Tesla, a community set designed by everyone and led by me, over at Goblin Artisans. Index of articles here!