Most of thos words are hard to read, hard to say, and don't really sound like real (english) words. Archester is mostly english, being based around both British and American settings. Even though the words can be fake, they should at least sound like something an english speaker could recognize.
Even if it's not english origin, we should at least make things that make sense to english speakers. Stromkirk, Falkenrath, and Markov are based more around Russian-esque language than english (i think...?), but an english speaker could easily say them.
I'm not saying I know how to make good fake words, in fact i actively avoid it, but I do think we should try to make these words a little more palatable (especially with a plane name so fluid as "Archester")
EDIT: Also, there's often no need to make up words at all. Things like Ghoulcaller and Helvault work just fine as names, and they're made out of fairly obvious english words.
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It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
Most of thos words are hard to read, hard to say, and don't really sound like real (english) words. Archester is mostly english, being based around both British and American settings. Even though the words can be fake, they should at least sound like something an english speaker could recognize.
Even if it's not english origin, we should at least make things that make sense to english speakers. Stromkirk, Falkenrath, and Markov are based more around Russian-esque language than english (i think...?), but an english speaker could easily say them.
I'm not saying I know how to make good fake words, in fact i actively avoid it, but I do think we should try to make these words a little more palatable (especially with a plane name so fluid as "Archester")
EDIT: Also, there's often no need to make up words at all. Things like Ghoulcaller and Helvault work just fine as names, and they're made out of fairly obvious english words.
A few of the names felt a little uninspired- my own included. made things easier until we go flavor it up the rest of the way.
Also, can we change 'upkeep' to 'first main phase' in mana pollution- I think we can all agree it's awful as is?
Frontier Comitar BB A smiling gentleman carries a large burlap sack in one hand and adjusts his gnarly monocle as he walks away from a burning village at night.
Focus: the smile.
Creature- Human Spellshaper 2B,t, discard two cards: remove a counter from any number of permanents on the battlefield. "I will be paid on time."
2/1
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For the whole "Cheating at cards" thing, why not just write up a new tutor? Something like:
Ace in the Hole2B
Sorcery
Discard a card. Search your library for a card of the same color and put it into your hand. "A little sleight of hand is all it takes..."
It's thematic, and it's pretty useful. (In my opinion, of course.)
For the whole "Cheating at cards" thing, why not just write up a new tutor? Something like:
Ace in the Hole2B
Sorcery
Discard a card. Search your library for a card of the same color and put it into your hand. "A little sleight of hand is all it takes..."
It's thematic, and it's pretty useful. (In my opinion, of course.)
A reprint of gamble would work too... (Though I like that one.)
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
I think the best way to ensure multiple "Spellslings" in the same turn is to make sure some slingers have cheap or free effects (mana-wise). This is what I was thinking with my Maverick Enforcer, and his cousin Marshall Enforcer who's Red.
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"People with needs have trivial purchasing power while people with purchasing power have trivial needs." -Steve Randy Waldman, Interfludity
==============================
UB01 – Creature, Splinter
UB02 – (Artifact) Creature, Splinter,
UB03 – Creature, Group
UB04 – (Artifact) Creature, Group,
UB05 – Creature, Group
UB06 – Creature, Group
UB07 – Sorcery,
UB08 – Sorcery
UB09 – Instant, :sym2b:, (Cycle)
==============================
UB01 – Creature, Splinter Macabre Taxidermist2BB Creature - Human Artificer
When ~ enters the battlefield, you may put target creature card from your graveyard onto the battlefield. That creature an artifact in addition to it's other types.
2/2
Necrotech Prodigies3B four dead men lay before a shovel wielding young blue collar man. There is a cart behind him, with a high class young woman pulling it. Focus: The look of love on their faces Creature- Human Artificer
Whenever you sacrifice a nontoken permanent, put a 1/1 black zombie token onto the battlefield. Their lust for knowledge is as forbidden as their love.
2/2
Clock Hunter2BB
Creature - Human Rogue
When ~ enters the battlefield, you may destroy target creature. If you do, put all counters from that creature on ~. "The elves see a marvel of nature. I see cogs ripe for the taking."
1/1
==============================
UB02 – (Artifact) Creature, Splinter, Desert Gearbones 2.01(2/B) Artifact Creature - Skeleton Construct [Uncommon]
:sym2b:: Return ~ from your graveyard to your hand.
2/1
Hostile Worker Artifact Creature - Assembly-Worker
Intimidate Steam-powered-When ~ enters the battlefield, sacrifice a creature unless only colorless mana was spent to cast ~. "They may be a bit messy but they're quite good for taking out rebellious workers" -Manufactory owner
2/2
Spring Scavenger :sym2b::sym2b: Artifact Creature - Zombie Construct
Whenever another artifact creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on ~. A twisted mockery of clockwork beasts, it lurks in the marshes waiting for their cogs to fail.
2/1
==============================
UB03 – Creature, Group Corrupt Inspector2BB Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
When ~ enters the battlefield, target player discards two cards unless that player discards a land card. It's easy. Just sign on the line.
2/2
Corrupt Inspector 2.02BB Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
When ~ enters the battlefield, target player sacrifices two permanents unless that player sacrifices a land. It's easy. Just sign on the line.
2/2
Corporate EliteBB
Creature - Human Advisor (U)
Intimidate
Protection from white In the Iron City, one learns quickly that the laws to not apply to everyone.
2/2
Corporate Elite IIBB Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
Protection from white and from green
~ deals combat damage after creatures blocking or blocked by it. In the Iron City, one learns quickly that everyone changes the rules and the rules do not apply to everyone.
2/2
Cruel Gunner1BB A weathered looking woman specks of red on his jacket stands in a dark Iron City alleyway at night over a body, holding an ingenious steam gun. Focus: the smirk peering out from under the brim of her hat. Creature - Human Warrior
First Strike, Deathtouch, Lifelink
2/1
Landblight Engineer :1mana::symb: Creature - Human Shaman [Uncommon]
:2mana::symb:, :symtap:, Sacrifice a creature: Destroy target land.
1/1
==============================
UB04 – (Artifact) Creature, Group, Corporate Elite 2.0BB Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
Intimidate (2/B): Becomes the color of your choice until end of turn. In the Iron City, one learns quickly that the laws do not apply to everyone.
2/1
Steamdealer 2.02BB Creature - Human Advisor Shaman [Uncommon]
At the beginning of your precombat main phase, you lose 1 life and add 2 to your mana pool.
2/2
Francium Carrier2B A laughing crazy man runs into a busy street carrying a strange rock towards a fountain. Focus: the rock Creature- Human
When Francium Carrier dies, all creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn. Just a touch of water.
1/1
[Insert Awesome Name] :3mana::sym2b::sym2b: Artifact Creature - Horror Construct [Uncommon]
When ~ enters the battlefield, you draw two cards and you lose 4 life. When in the Iron City always remember the old axiom, "Let the buyer beware."
4/4
==============================
UB05 – Creature, Group Hitmen4B Creature - Human Assassin (U)
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy target creature. "There are two kinds of people in my world: the ones that get the job done, and their targets." --Tecksa Rend, defacto gangleader of the Mavericks
2/2
Coldheart ExtortionistB A man carries a traveler's bag out of a house. There are bloodstains on the windows. Focus: the bag. Creature- Human Rogue
Whenever a player sacrifices a creature, you may pay 1. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on Coldheart Extortionist. "Your mother died? How tragic..."
0/1
Kettle of Vultures4B Creature - Bird
Flying
Whenever another creature dies, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
4/3
Carrion Vultures :1mana::symb: Creature - Bird [Uncommon]
Flying
Sacrifice a creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
1/1
==============================
UB06 – Creature, Group Maverick Overseer3BB Creature-Human Spellslinger 3BB,T, Discard a card: Destroy target creature. If an artifact card was discarded in this way, that creature can't be regenerated.
3/3
Frontier ComitarBB A smiling gentleman carries a large burlap sack in one hand and adjusts his gnarly monocle as he walks away from a burning village at night. Focus: the smile. Creature- Human Spellslinger [Uncommon] 2B,t, discard two cards: Remove a counter from any number of permanents on the battlefield. "I will be paid on time."
2/1
Maverick Overseer 2.03BB Creature-Human Spellslinger T, Discard a card: Untap target Spellslinger. If an artifact card was discarded, untap each other Spellslinger you control.
2/2
Snake Oil SalesmanB Creature - Human Spellslinger 1, :symtap:, Discard a card: Each opponent discards a card. If you discarded an artifact card this way, each opponent loses life equal to the converted mana cost of the card he or she discarded. Activate this ability only at any time you could cast a sorcery. Those who purchase rainwater as pricey "medicine" are the lucky ones.
1/1
Maverick Enforcer1BB In the foreground the back of a man in a long black overcoat and cowboy hat, past him we say an emaciated cowboy with purple or black smoke rising from him. Creature - Human Spellslinger
:symb:, :symtap:, Discard a card: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn. If an artifact was discarded this way gain 2 life.
2/2
Frontier Mentalist :1mana::symb::symb: Creature - Human Spellslinger [Uncommon]
:2mana::symb::symb:, , Discard a card: Target opponent discards a card. If you discarded an artifact card to activate this ability, that opponent discards two cards instead. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
2/2
==============================
UB07 – Enchantment OR Sorcery OR Instant, Reconstruct the Corpse(2/B)(2/B) Sorcery [Uncommon]
Return target artifact creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control. It gains haste. Exile it at end of turn. Steam-powered--If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, return target creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control instead. It gains haste. Exile it at end of turn.
Reconstruct the Corpse II :sym2b::sym2b: Sorcery
Return up to one target artifact creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control. It gains haste. Exile it at the end of turn. Steam-powered -- If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, return target creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield instead. It gains haste. Exile it at the end of turn.
Brawl in the Boiler Room2(2/B) Sorcery [Uncommon]
Target creature fights another target creature. The controller of each creature that survives that fight may have target player of his or her choice discard a card. (2/B): Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Any player may activate this ability, but only while ~ is on the stack.
Hymnal Box(2/B)(2/B) a dark rusty music box is open on a shelf of trinkets. The figure is a perfectly made representation of an elvish dancer in ebony. Focus: the rust looks a lot like bloodstains. Artifact Steam Powered- if only colorless mana was spent to cast Hymnal Box, it enters the battlefield with a charge counter on it.
At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent may pay 1. Otherwise he discards 2 cards, then you draw a card for each charge counter on Hymnal Box and sacrifice Hymnal Box. The song is beautiful but the meaning painful.
Corrosive Steam :1mana::sym2b::sym2b: Instant [Uncommon]
Target creature gets -5/-5 until end of turn.
Necrotechnic Lunge :xmana::sym2b: Sorcery [Uncommon]
Return target creature card with converted mana cost X from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step. Steampowered -- If only colorless mana was used to cast ~, don't exile that creature at the beginning of the next end step.
==============================
UB08 – Enchantment OR Sorcery OR Instant Dredge the FlatsBB Sorcery [Uncommon]
Target player reveals the top five cards of his or her library, puts all land cards revealed this way into his or her graveyard, then shuffles his or her library.
Backroom Dealings2B
Enchantment
Whenever you discard a card, target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
Smog1B Instant [Uncommon]
Until end of turn, if a player taps a land for mana, it produces colorless mana instead of any other type.
SmogfireB A man lies on a factory floor, green flames licking around his limp body. Other workers are struggling to fix a machine near him, which is spurting smog and throwing bits of green fire. Focus: The machine Sorcery
As an additional cost to playing Smogfire, exile the top ten cards of your library.
Deal 3 damage to target creature or player.
Mana Pollution2B Smokestacks from a factory throwing smog into a huge cloud. Focus: the cloud. Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a permanent. If you do, add 3 to your mana pool. A factory may not put mana waste into moving waters or storage containers. The sky is the safest location for any mana waste, as it will quickly disperse and enrich the soil with mana once again.-Iron City Pollution Laws Article 2, Lines 1-2
Traitor in the Ranks2BB Instant
Put a 2/2 black Human Rogue creature token onto the battlefield under target player's control. It has "Other creatures you control get -1/-1."
"Accidental" Oil Spill3BB Sorcery
Destroy target non-basic land, that lands controller discards a card for each land card in their graveyard. "Of course, the Council will make sure you're compensated in full for ALL your losses." - Andony Carnigig
Cheating at Cards2B A hand holding 5 poker cards, all of them Aces. Sorcery
Until end of turn, whenever you discard a card due to a creature's ability you may exile it instead. At end of turn return all cards exiled this way to your hand.
Three-card MontyB Sorcery (U)
Target opponent chooses two cards in his or her hand, then reveals the rest. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards one of the chosen cards at random.
Robber Baron's Bargin :2mana::symb: Instant [Uncommon]
When you cast ~, any player may sacrifice two lands. If a player does, counter ~.
Target player sacrifices a creature. Let's make a deal... --Andony Carnigig, the "Robber" Baron
Polluted Rain Instant [Uncommon]
Until end of turn, lands you control gain "Sacrifice this land: Add to your mana pool." "When I say it rained, it was not small drops, but a thick, greasy drool pouring from the heavens." - Terent Livinton, Ex-Flats farmer, journal
Stream of Steam :2mana::symb::symb: Sorcery [Uncommon]
Destroy target land or nonblack creature. Don't cross the stream...
Ace in the Hole2B Sorcery
Discard a card. Search your library for a card of the same color and put it into your hand. "A little sleight of hand is all it takes..."
==============================
UB09 – Sorcery OR Instant, :sym2b:, (Cycle) Black Card(2/B)(2/B)(2/B) Instant [Uncommon]
Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. That creature has haste. Sacrifice that creature at the beginning of the next end step.
Sabotage :sym2b::sym2b::sym2b: Instant [Uncommon]
Creatures target opponent controls get -2/-2 until the end of the turn. Steam-Powered- If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, that player loses 3 life and you gain 3 life. "Defense mechanisms disabled. Destroy at will."
Steam Drain(2/B)(2/B)(2/B) Sorcery
Target player loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.
Steam Drain II(2/B)(2/B)(2/B) Sorcery
Target player loses 4 life and you gain 4 life.
Cull and Spoil(2/B)(2/B)(2/B) Sorcery
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Put three +1/+1 counters divided as you choose among creatures.
==============================
Also, I think we should standardize our wording on our Spellslingers...
[Spellslinger Mechanic]
[Cost], :symtap:, "Discard a card: [Effect]. If an artifact card was discarded this way, [Better Effect] instead.
By standardizing our wording, we will solves multiple problems we are currently having with the templating (i.e. Not Discard two cards or "unless an artifact was discarded this way, [Bad Effect]")
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I still think the wording is much cleaner as it appears on the bigshots (for that effect of course). Yes it's not standardized, but IMO superior wording should come before standardization for the sake of standardization.
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"In the beginning, MTG Salvation switched to a new forum format.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
I'm fine with "superior" wordings winning out (I still think the big shots could be worded better but whatever) the main point I was trying to make was that the "Discard two cards" and "Discard an artifact/nonartifact" versions should be reworded/removed.
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Cube. The best way to play Magic. PERIOD. Come over and check it out. Also, check out my Peasant Split Card Cube.
The World of Pokemon RPG has been rebooted. Come over and check it out.
I'm fine with "superior" wordings winning out (I still think the big shots could be worded better but whatever) the main point I was trying to make was that the "Discard two cards" and "Discard an artifact/nonartifact" versions should be reworded/removed.
Yes. This is true. Not all of them have to be worded exactly the same, but they should all be "discard a card, artifact gets a bonus" abilities. Even the bigshots are still that effectively.
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"In the beginning, MTG Salvation switched to a new forum format.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
Zombfog1(2/B)(2/B)
Instant
Target player sacrifices a nonartifact creature. Steam Powered -- If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, return that creature to the battlefield under your control.
Edit: Easy enough to fix, really. Was triple twobrid.
Please avoid putting steampowered on tri-brid cards. I'm pretty sure we only want one of each color, and we've already established that the cycle doesn't have steampowered.
EDIT: Also, i've noticed that some people like to include art descriptions. While I think this is fine, i'd strongly urge you to keep these descriptions brief, as in one line or less. After spending time on this forum you get used to reading card write-ups without art text in the way, so having a large block of text describing something non-vital to the card in question can really disrupt the flow of the card. (This is my opinion of course, feel free to disagree.)
One thing we haven't touched on yet is the Buzzard-like black aven
Scrapyard Surveyor3B
Creature - Bird Rogue (U)
Flying
Whenever an artifact is put into a graveyard, target player loses one life and you gain one life.
2/1
Steam Fiend1(2/B)
Artifact Creature - Horror (U)
Flying
Whenever you cast a spell or activate an ability with only colorless mana, ~ gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
1/1
Corpse Disposal1B (Art: One "made man" dumps a suspicious body bag into a vat of acid as two others look around nonchalantly.)
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, if a card would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead.
Draw a card. You don't need to be subtle if you know how to hide the evidence.
Black is the color of graveyard and discard, but it's also the color of hosing graveyard, so i thought a little thematic discard-hoser might be in order.
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
I think its uncommon due to it being a really sucky rare and being to limited-irrelevant to be a common. Also, with these and Cheating at cards I think we might want a quality discard spell or two for people to play around with, nothing crazy just something in Uncommon or Rare that makes some of these discard hosers turn on in limited at least occasionally.
I want to discuss Smogfire. I love the idea of a Black Lightning Bolt with a downside but I don't think losing cards from the Library is enough of a downside. As is this seems like a $5-10 uncommon that's a 4-of in every Black deck. Maybe if it cost Life? Or time? Something like "Land tapped to cast ~ doesn't Untap. That seems pretty weak as it's just one land, but it still hurts more than Milling oneself in a non-mill relevant set. I want to make this card work because it is cool.
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"People with needs have trivial purchasing power while people with purchasing power have trivial needs." -Steve Randy Waldman, Interfludity
I think its uncommon due to it being a really sucky rare and being to limited-irrelevant to be a common.
This. Also, I feel like discarding is a theme of the set. This is obviously a sideboard card, but it can help to break a cycle of discarding/reanimating your opponent has set up.
IMO, your "tldr" bold actually makes it more likely for me to skim your post, by making it harder to read.
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"In the beginning, MTG Salvation switched to a new forum format.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
Moon-E, I would not be offended if you called me out, I think I'm the only guy who does art so far, excluding a few contributions. I can shorten it down more, WoTC does this 'Focus' thing, I only did because that's how they did it, and that's half the text. cut that out and they all fit.
I want to discuss Smogfire. I love the idea of a Black Lightning Bolt with a downside but I don't think losing cards from the Library is enough of a downside. As is this seems like a $5-10 uncommon that's a 4-of in every Black deck. Maybe if it cost Life? Or time? Something like "Land tapped to cast ~ doesn't Untap. That seems pretty weak as it's just one land, but it still hurts more than Milling oneself in a non-mill relevant set. I want to make this card work because it is cool.
I'll play advocate, as I designed it.
Smogfire is designed for a pretty simple goal- show the negative effects of a gilded age style mana factory. Madness has historically been associated with discard and mill, and damage has pretty well associated with fire. Many types of pollution nowadays cause brain damage, and many are explosive or flammable. So I put the two together. Originally it dealt 4 damage and discarded a card, but I hated it because it couldn't win you the game unless you purposely didn't play anything. Then I thought of Arc-Slogger, a card I actually like. At first I threw 10 in the graveyard, then I realized that would speed up modern dredge from unplayable to broken. Exiling the top ten seemed really fun, and it meant someone who got screwed on removal could pick one up a few turns late in a draft, because you don't want to draft more than 2 of them.
Lightning Bolt, strong as it is, is not broken. It speeds up a format- just like mana leak or planeswalkers slow formats down. Bump in the Night proved Lava Spike was available to black, and Fires of Undeath showed Shock was, at a downside. Even though this isn't a mill set, this is a card that I think has a unique flavor and a card every spike will chase.
Now, you say the downside may not be enough. What if it milled 15 or 20 cards?
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Commander WIsperia the InscrutableU WGaddock TeegG UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Honestly I'm not so much concerned by the amount of cards lost as by the concept that losing cards from deck is a downside. The sad Truth is that in less than 2% of games will being milled ever become relevant. I'm concerned this thing is just Lightning Bolt as far as Spike is concerned. It's downside seems all flavor unless we think there is a mill deck floating around in this things meta.
What if it did 4 damage but cost 2 life? I don't like losing the "madness as a consequence" flavor but it seems more balanced in black. We could also make it cost a card (still represents madness and is incredibly important) but that is probably too BIG a cost instead of too little, even at 4 damage.
I tried to tone down the BOLD text, did it work?
Ooh Ooh great Idea: What if you have to exile cards from your Graveyard instead of your deck (say 3 cards, maybe 4)? Now it is a real cost (like Grim Lavamancer) and it works against the "Land in my GY" subtheme from the (B/U) Theme. I think this works someone tell me why it doesn't.
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The thing is, if it milled 20, you would only ever maindeck one in limited and 2 in constructed, or face dead draws. It's reverse Relentless Rats if you will.
I think turn 1 and 2 in an aggro build 4 damage/discard 1 will be huge and any other time it will be terrible outside of shenanigans, making it only work in decks with kuldotha red type clocks.
4 damage and 2 life has been done before- it's called char and everyone played it, we would probably have a black functional reprint if we wanted balance- at 1 mana char would be pretty strong. Grandaddy Psionic Blast is regularly picked early in cube drafts in my area, I switched to counterburn last time I saw one passed 5th/6th pick first pack.
^Hmm. that could be interesting. leads me to another card.
Strip Miner (2/B) A mud covered machine glows sinisterly from a sparkling array of mana
Artifact Creature- Assembly-Worker
Defender
Exile a land card from your graveyard: Strip Miner loses defender until end of turn. It's thirst for the mana is never quenched.
3/1
Moon-E, I would not be offended if you called me out, I think I'm the only guy who does art so far, excluding a few contributions. I can shorten it down more, WoTC does this 'Focus' thing, I only did because that's how they did it, and that's half the text. cut that out and they all fit.
I'm pretty sure you're not the only one who does the art description.
Maybe it's just me, but i just have trouble reading it like that.
I don't really like smog fire TBH. Black very rarely gets direct damage, and I don't really see exiling the top 10 as a downside. Sure, in limited it's a bit of an issue, but you could always just slow roll them until the end of the game and kill them with it.
I guess the flavor of it just doesn't really connect for me. IMO l00ke00's a bit closer with losing life. Or, you could go for something like this:
Bog FireB
Instant
As an additional cost to cast ~, sacrifice a land.
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player
I don't like this card either because it's lightning bolt in black, but i think it's both more valanced and more thematic.
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"In the beginning, MTG Salvation switched to a new forum format.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
It was at that moment that I realized: I'm kinda just making these things up. We can just write the rules the way we want them to work. People will have fun, and people will get it.
Ok, would you really pickup a black Lightning bolt that traumatizedyou in draft and main deck it? I wouldn't. Also a black Char for just a is rediculous. If it had a land sac clause it might be an uncommon but remember Char is a Rare.
How about this... Manufactory Explosion :2mana::symb: Instant [Uncommon]
As an additional cost to cast ~, sacrifice a land.
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player and you lose 2 life. You might be surprised just how far blame can be thrown.
Edit: do great minds think alike?
Private Mod Note
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Bog Fire reminds me of Shard Volley. I'd rather have an uncommon char, that's not a bad idea. it'd have to be 2B though, even 1B or BB feels a bit risky to me.
2 life and sacrifice? might be usable at 1B though I doubt I'd actually play it. 2 cards, 2 mana and 2 life to kill one hill giant seems like a desperate move you do when you have a janky combo.
and in an aggressive draft deck in this relatively low mill set, sure. In a core set I would never try such a thing and anyone trying that in Innistrad is just asking to do the twist.
I'd rather see Flame Rift than char, and I'm pretty opposed to black getting such a cheap, versatile spell. It already gets destroy target creature and -x/-x, and drainlife-style effects, so I don't think its such a great idea to add more ways for black to remove things.
Alternatively, the 4 damage instant uncommon mill 10 could be a red spell.
SmogfireR
Instant (U)
As an additional cost to cast ~, exile the top 10 cards of your library.
~ deals 4 damage to target creature or player.
Let's not forget that Flame Javilin is the :sym2r::sym2r::sym2r: part of the cycle... I don't think we need multiple 4-damage spells.
Also the "Exile top 10" mechanic is detrimental to the "If there is a artifact in your graveyard, [Good Effect]." mechanic in :symrg:. Can we please get away from the "exile top 10' mechanic. It doesn't even make sense in this block.
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Cube. The best way to play Magic. PERIOD. Come over and check it out. Also, check out my Peasant Split Card Cube.
The World of Pokemon RPG has been rebooted. Come over and check it out.
Smogfire Deluxe EditionBB
Sorcery
Each player loses 2 life. Target player loses 2 additional life unless he sacrifices a permanent.
or-
Choking Smog BB
Sorcery
Each player sacrifices a permanent.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Choking Smog is in your graveyard, target player loses 1 life.
Sacrifice a land: exile Choking Smog from your graveyard. Any player may play this ability.
Hmm. I'm glad I made this out of block, out of color card, it's producing some interesting spells. That last one feels pretty rare though.
Smogfire Deluxe EditionBB
Sorcery
Each player loses 2 life. Target player loses 2 additional life unless he sacrifices a permanent.
or-
Choking Smog BB
Sorcery
Each player sacrifices a permanent.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Choking Smog is in your graveyard, target player loses 1 life.
Sacrifice a permanent: exile Choking Smog from your graveyard. Any player may play this ability.
Hmm. I'm glad I made this out of block, out of color card, it's producing some interesting spells. That last one feels pretty rare though.
Let's also not forget that the part of the group cares about Land destruction and Lands in the graveyard. So how about...
Choking Smog II1BB Enchantment [Rare]
When ~ enters the battlefield, target player sacrifices a land.
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses 1 life, unless he or she sacrifices a land.
Sacrifice a land: Exile ~. Any player may activate this ability.
This one focuses more on the lands and less on the permanents.
Even if it's not english origin, we should at least make things that make sense to english speakers. Stromkirk, Falkenrath, and Markov are based more around Russian-esque language than english (i think...?), but an english speaker could easily say them.
I'm not saying I know how to make good fake words, in fact i actively avoid it, but I do think we should try to make these words a little more palatable (especially with a plane name so fluid as "Archester")
EDIT: Also, there's often no need to make up words at all. Things like Ghoulcaller and Helvault work just fine as names, and they're made out of fairly obvious english words.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
A few of the names felt a little uninspired- my own included. made things easier until we go flavor it up the rest of the way.
Also, can we change 'upkeep' to 'first main phase' in mana pollution- I think we can all agree it's awful as is?
Frontier Comitar BB
A smiling gentleman carries a large burlap sack in one hand and adjusts his gnarly monocle as he walks away from a burning village at night.
Focus: the smile.
Creature- Human Spellshaper
2B,t, discard two cards: remove a counter from any number of permanents on the battlefield.
"I will be paid on time."
2/1
WSoul SistersW
Commander
WIsperia the InscrutableU
WGaddock TeegG
UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Archester
Custom Cube
Ace in the Hole 2B
Sorcery
Discard a card. Search your library for a card of the same color and put it into your hand.
"A little sleight of hand is all it takes..."
It's thematic, and it's pretty useful. (In my opinion, of course.)
Club Flamingo Wins: 1!
Lyzolda, the Blood Witch | Maga, Traitor to Mortals | Mayael the Anima | Rafiq of the Many | Rhys the Redeemed
Sasaya, Oorochi Ascendant | Sygg, River Cutthroat | Thada Adel, Acquisitor | Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
I'm a proud member of the Online Campaign for Real English. If you believe in capital letters, correct spelling, and good sentence structure, then copy this into your signature.
"People with needs have trivial purchasing power while people with purchasing power have trivial needs."
-Steve Randy Waldman, Interfludity
Ace in the Hole is interesting.
WSoul SistersW
Commander
WIsperia the InscrutableU
WGaddock TeegG
UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Archester
Custom Cube
UB01 – Creature, Splinter
UB02 – (Artifact) Creature, Splinter,
UB03 – Creature, Group
UB04 – (Artifact) Creature, Group,
UB05 – Creature, Group
UB06 – Creature, Group
UB07 – Sorcery,
UB08 – Sorcery
UB09 – Instant, :sym2b:, (Cycle)
==============================
UB01 – Creature, Splinter
Macabre Taxidermist 2BB
Creature - Human Artificer
When ~ enters the battlefield, you may put target creature card from your graveyard onto the battlefield. That creature an artifact in addition to it's other types.
2/2
Necrotech Prodigies 3B
four dead men lay before a shovel wielding young blue collar man. There is a cart behind him, with a high class young woman pulling it.
Focus: The look of love on their faces
Creature- Human Artificer
Whenever you sacrifice a nontoken permanent, put a 1/1 black zombie token onto the battlefield.
Their lust for knowledge is as forbidden as their love.
2/2
Clock Hunter 2BB
Creature - Human Rogue
When ~ enters the battlefield, you may destroy target creature. If you do, put all counters from that creature on ~.
"The elves see a marvel of nature. I see cogs ripe for the taking."
1/1
==============================
UB02 – (Artifact) Creature, Splinter,
Desert Gearbones 2.0 1(2/B)
Artifact Creature - Skeleton Construct [Uncommon]
:sym2b:: Return ~ from your graveyard to your hand.
2/1
Hostile Worker
Artifact Creature - Assembly-Worker
Intimidate
Steam-powered-When ~ enters the battlefield, sacrifice a creature unless only colorless mana was spent to cast ~.
"They may be a bit messy but they're quite good for taking out rebellious workers"
-Manufactory owner
2/2
Spring Scavenger :sym2b::sym2b:
Artifact Creature - Zombie Construct
Whenever another artifact creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
A twisted mockery of clockwork beasts, it lurks in the marshes waiting for their cogs to fail.
2/1
==============================
UB03 – Creature, Group
Corrupt Inspector 2BB
Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
When ~ enters the battlefield, target player discards two cards unless that player discards a land card.
It's easy. Just sign on the line.
2/2
Corrupt Inspector 2.0 2BB
Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
When ~ enters the battlefield, target player sacrifices two permanents unless that player sacrifices a land.
It's easy. Just sign on the line.
2/2
Corporate Elite BB
Creature - Human Advisor (U)
Intimidate
Protection from white
In the Iron City, one learns quickly that the laws to not apply to everyone.
2/2
Corporate Elite II BB
Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
Protection from white and from green
~ deals combat damage after creatures blocking or blocked by it.
In the Iron City, one learns quickly that everyone changes the rules and the rules do not apply to everyone.
2/2
Cruel Gunner 1BB
A weathered looking woman specks of red on his jacket stands in a dark Iron City alleyway at night over a body, holding an ingenious steam gun.
Focus: the smirk peering out from under the brim of her hat.
Creature - Human Warrior
First Strike, Deathtouch, Lifelink
2/1
Landblight Engineer :1mana::symb:
Creature - Human Shaman [Uncommon]
:2mana::symb:, :symtap:, Sacrifice a creature: Destroy target land.
1/1
==============================
UB04 – (Artifact) Creature, Group,
Corporate Elite 2.0 BB
Creature - Human Advisor [Uncommon]
Intimidate
(2/B): Becomes the color of your choice until end of turn.
In the Iron City, one learns quickly that the laws do not apply to everyone.
2/1
Steamdealer 2.0 2BB
Creature - Human Advisor Shaman [Uncommon]
At the beginning of your precombat main phase, you lose 1 life and add 2 to your mana pool.
2/2
Francium Carrier 2B
A laughing crazy man runs into a busy street carrying a strange rock towards a fountain.
Focus: the rock
Creature- Human
When Francium Carrier dies, all creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn.
Just a touch of water.
1/1
Corrupted Machinery :4mana::sym2b::sym2b:
Artifact Creature - Horror Construct [Uncommon]
:sym2b:, Sacrifice a land: Regenerate ~.
6/2
[Insert Awesome Name] :3mana::sym2b::sym2b:
Artifact Creature - Horror Construct [Uncommon]
When ~ enters the battlefield, you draw two cards and you lose 4 life.
When in the Iron City always remember the old axiom, "Let the buyer beware."
4/4
==============================
UB05 – Creature, Group
Hitmen 4B
Creature - Human Assassin (U)
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy target creature.
"There are two kinds of people in my world: the ones that get the job done, and their targets."
--Tecksa Rend, defacto gangleader of the Mavericks
2/2
Coldheart Extortionist B
A man carries a traveler's bag out of a house. There are bloodstains on the windows.
Focus: the bag.
Creature- Human Rogue
Whenever a player sacrifices a creature, you may pay 1. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on Coldheart Extortionist.
"Your mother died? How tragic..."
0/1
Kettle of Vultures 4B
Creature - Bird
Flying
Whenever another creature dies, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
4/3
Carrion Vultures :1mana::symb:
Creature - Bird [Uncommon]
Flying
Sacrifice a creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
1/1
==============================
UB06 – Creature, Group
Maverick Overseer 3BB
Creature-Human Spellslinger
3BB,T, Discard a card: Destroy target creature. If an artifact card was discarded in this way, that creature can't be regenerated.
3/3
Frontier Comitar BB
A smiling gentleman carries a large burlap sack in one hand and adjusts his gnarly monocle as he walks away from a burning village at night.
Focus: the smile.
Creature- Human Spellslinger [Uncommon]
2B,t, discard two cards: Remove a counter from any number of permanents on the battlefield.
"I will be paid on time."
2/1
Maverick Overseer 2.0 3BB
Creature-Human Spellslinger
T, Discard a card: Untap target Spellslinger. If an artifact card was discarded, untap each other Spellslinger you control.
2/2
Snake Oil Salesman B
Creature - Human Spellslinger
1, :symtap:, Discard a card: Each opponent discards a card. If you discarded an artifact card this way, each opponent loses life equal to the converted mana cost of the card he or she discarded. Activate this ability only at any time you could cast a sorcery.
Those who purchase rainwater as pricey "medicine" are the lucky ones.
1/1
Maverick Enforcer 1BB
In the foreground the back of a man in a long black overcoat and cowboy hat, past him we say an emaciated cowboy with purple or black smoke rising from him.
Creature - Human Spellslinger
:symb:, :symtap:, Discard a card: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn. If an artifact was discarded this way gain 2 life.
2/2
Frontier Mentalist :1mana::symb::symb:
Creature - Human Spellslinger [Uncommon]
:2mana::symb::symb:, , Discard a card: Target opponent discards a card. If you discarded an artifact card to activate this ability, that opponent discards two cards instead. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
2/2
==============================
UB07 – Enchantment OR Sorcery OR Instant,
Reconstruct the Corpse (2/B)(2/B)
Sorcery [Uncommon]
Return target artifact creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control. It gains haste. Exile it at end of turn.
Steam-powered--If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, return target creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control instead. It gains haste. Exile it at end of turn.
Reconstruct the Corpse II :sym2b::sym2b:
Sorcery
Return up to one target artifact creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control. It gains haste. Exile it at the end of turn.
Steam-powered -- If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, return target creature card from a graveyard to the battlefield instead. It gains haste. Exile it at the end of turn.
Brawl in the Boiler Room 2(2/B)
Sorcery [Uncommon]
Target creature fights another target creature. The controller of each creature that survives that fight may have target player of his or her choice discard a card.
(2/B): Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Any player may activate this ability, but only while ~ is on the stack.
Hymnal Box (2/B)(2/B)
a dark rusty music box is open on a shelf of trinkets. The figure is a perfectly made representation of an elvish dancer in ebony.
Focus: the rust looks a lot like bloodstains.
Artifact
Steam Powered- if only colorless mana was spent to cast Hymnal Box, it enters the battlefield with a charge counter on it.
At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent may pay 1. Otherwise he discards 2 cards, then you draw a card for each charge counter on Hymnal Box and sacrifice Hymnal Box.
The song is beautiful but the meaning painful.
Corrosive Steam :1mana::sym2b::sym2b:
Instant [Uncommon]
Target creature gets -5/-5 until end of turn.
Necrotechnic Lunge :xmana::sym2b:
Sorcery [Uncommon]
Return target creature card with converted mana cost X from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step.
Steampowered -- If only colorless mana was used to cast ~, don't exile that creature at the beginning of the next end step.
==============================
UB08 – Enchantment OR Sorcery OR Instant
Dredge the Flats BB
Sorcery [Uncommon]
Target player reveals the top five cards of his or her library, puts all land cards revealed this way into his or her graveyard, then shuffles his or her library.
Backroom Dealings 2B
Enchantment
Whenever you discard a card, target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
Smog 1B
Instant [Uncommon]
Until end of turn, if a player taps a land for mana, it produces colorless mana instead of any other type.
Smogfire B
A man lies on a factory floor, green flames licking around his limp body. Other workers are struggling to fix a machine near him, which is spurting smog and throwing bits of green fire.
Focus: The machine
Sorcery
As an additional cost to playing Smogfire, exile the top ten cards of your library.
Deal 3 damage to target creature or player.
Mana Pollution 2B
Smokestacks from a factory throwing smog into a huge cloud.
Focus: the cloud.
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a permanent. If you do, add 3 to your mana pool.
A factory may not put mana waste into moving waters or storage containers. The sky is the safest location for any mana waste, as it will quickly disperse and enrich the soil with mana once again.-Iron City Pollution Laws Article 2, Lines 1-2
Traitor in the Ranks 2BB
Instant
Put a 2/2 black Human Rogue creature token onto the battlefield under target player's control. It has "Other creatures you control get -1/-1."
"Accidental" Oil Spill 3BB
Sorcery
Destroy target non-basic land, that lands controller discards a card for each land card in their graveyard.
"Of course, the Council will make sure you're compensated in full for ALL your losses." - Andony Carnigig
Cheating at Cards 2B
A hand holding 5 poker cards, all of them Aces.
Sorcery
Until end of turn, whenever you discard a card due to a creature's ability you may exile it instead. At end of turn return all cards exiled this way to your hand.
Three-card Monty B
Sorcery (U)
Target opponent chooses two cards in his or her hand, then reveals the rest. You choose a nonland card from it. That player discards one of the chosen cards at random.
Robber Baron's Bargin :2mana::symb:
Instant [Uncommon]
When you cast ~, any player may sacrifice two lands. If a player does, counter ~.
Target player sacrifices a creature.
Let's make a deal... --Andony Carnigig, the "Robber" Baron
Polluted Rain
Instant [Uncommon]
Until end of turn, lands you control gain "Sacrifice this land: Add to your mana pool."
"When I say it rained, it was not small drops, but a thick, greasy drool pouring from the heavens." - Terent Livinton, Ex-Flats farmer, journal
Stream of Steam :2mana::symb::symb:
Sorcery [Uncommon]
Destroy target land or nonblack creature.
Don't cross the stream...
Ace in the Hole 2B
Sorcery
Discard a card. Search your library for a card of the same color and put it into your hand.
"A little sleight of hand is all it takes..."
==============================
UB09 – Sorcery OR Instant, :sym2b:, (Cycle)
Black Card (2/B)(2/B)(2/B)
Instant [Uncommon]
Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. That creature has haste. Sacrifice that creature at the beginning of the next end step.
Sabotage :sym2b::sym2b::sym2b:
Instant [Uncommon]
Creatures target opponent controls get -2/-2 until the end of the turn.
Steam-Powered- If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, that player loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.
"Defense mechanisms disabled. Destroy at will."
Steam Drain (2/B)(2/B)(2/B)
Sorcery
Target player loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.
Steam Drain II (2/B)(2/B)(2/B)
Sorcery
Target player loses 4 life and you gain 4 life.
Cull and Spoil (2/B)(2/B)(2/B)
Sorcery
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.
Put three +1/+1 counters divided as you choose among creatures.
==============================
Also, I think we should standardize our wording on our Spellslingers...
[Spellslinger Mechanic]
[Cost], :symtap:, "Discard a card: [Effect]. If an artifact card was discarded this way, [Better Effect] instead.
By standardizing our wording, we will solves multiple problems we are currently having with the templating (i.e. Not Discard two cards or "unless an artifact was discarded this way, [Bad Effect]")
Sig by Rivenor
Cube. The best way to play Magic. PERIOD. Come over and check it out. Also, check out my Peasant Split Card Cube.
The World of Pokemon RPG has been rebooted. Come over and check it out.
Set Creation Projects: Archester: Frontier of Steam Come over and check out our AWESOME Steampunk set.
(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
Sig by Rivenor
Cube. The best way to play Magic. PERIOD. Come over and check it out. Also, check out my Peasant Split Card Cube.
The World of Pokemon RPG has been rebooted. Come over and check it out.
Set Creation Projects: Archester: Frontier of Steam Come over and check out our AWESOME Steampunk set.
(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)
Yes. This is true. Not all of them have to be worded exactly the same, but they should all be "discard a card, artifact gets a bonus" abilities. Even the bigshots are still that effectively.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
Instant
Target player sacrifices a nonartifact creature.
Steam Powered -- If only colorless mana was spent to cast ~, return that creature to the battlefield under your control.
Edit: Easy enough to fix, really. Was triple twobrid.
Lyzolda, the Blood Witch | Maga, Traitor to Mortals | Mayael the Anima | Rafiq of the Many | Rhys the Redeemed
Sasaya, Oorochi Ascendant | Sygg, River Cutthroat | Thada Adel, Acquisitor | Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
EDIT: Also, i've noticed that some people like to include art descriptions. While I think this is fine, i'd strongly urge you to keep these descriptions brief, as in one line or less. After spending time on this forum you get used to reading card write-ups without art text in the way, so having a large block of text describing something non-vital to the card in question can really disrupt the flow of the card. (This is my opinion of course, feel free to disagree.)
One thing we haven't touched on yet is the Buzzard-like black aven
Scrapyard Surveyor 3B
Creature - Bird Rogue (U)
Flying
Whenever an artifact is put into a graveyard, target player loses one life and you gain one life.
2/1
A bit of Disciple of the Vault, a bit of Falkenrath Noble. Too good?
Steam Fiend 1(2/B)
Artifact Creature - Horror (U)
Flying
Whenever you cast a spell or activate an ability with only colorless mana, ~ gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
1/1
Loosely based on Kiln Fiend
Corpse Disposal 1B
(Art: One "made man" dumps a suspicious body bag into a vat of acid as two others look around nonchalantly.)
Instant (U)
Until end of turn, if a card would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead.
Draw a card.
You don't need to be subtle if you know how to hide the evidence.
Black is the color of graveyard and discard, but it's also the color of hosing graveyard, so i thought a little thematic discard-hoser might be in order.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
I want to discuss Smogfire. I love the idea of a Black Lightning Bolt with a downside but I don't think losing cards from the Library is enough of a downside. As is this seems like a $5-10 uncommon that's a 4-of in every Black deck. Maybe if it cost Life? Or time? Something like "Land tapped to cast ~ doesn't Untap. That seems pretty weak as it's just one land, but it still hurts more than Milling oneself in a non-mill relevant set. I want to make this card work because it is cool.
I'm a proud member of the Online Campaign for Real English. If you believe in capital letters, correct spelling, and good sentence structure, then copy this into your signature.
"People with needs have trivial purchasing power while people with purchasing power have trivial needs."
-Steve Randy Waldman, Interfludity
This. Also, I feel like discarding is a theme of the set. This is obviously a sideboard card, but it can help to break a cycle of discarding/reanimating your opponent has set up.
IMO, your "tldr" bold actually makes it more likely for me to skim your post, by making it harder to read.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
Comic Book Set
Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
A Good Place to Start Designing
I'll play advocate, as I designed it.
Smogfire is designed for a pretty simple goal- show the negative effects of a gilded age style mana factory. Madness has historically been associated with discard and mill, and damage has pretty well associated with fire. Many types of pollution nowadays cause brain damage, and many are explosive or flammable. So I put the two together. Originally it dealt 4 damage and discarded a card, but I hated it because it couldn't win you the game unless you purposely didn't play anything. Then I thought of Arc-Slogger, a card I actually like. At first I threw 10 in the graveyard, then I realized that would speed up modern dredge from unplayable to broken. Exiling the top ten seemed really fun, and it meant someone who got screwed on removal could pick one up a few turns late in a draft, because you don't want to draft more than 2 of them.
Lightning Bolt, strong as it is, is not broken. It speeds up a format- just like mana leak or planeswalkers slow formats down. Bump in the Night proved Lava Spike was available to black, and Fires of Undeath showed Shock was, at a downside. Even though this isn't a mill set, this is a card that I think has a unique flavor and a card every spike will chase.
Now, you say the downside may not be enough. What if it milled 15 or 20 cards?
WSoul SistersW
Commander
WIsperia the InscrutableU
WGaddock TeegG
UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Archester
Custom Cube
What if it did 4 damage but cost 2 life? I don't like losing the "madness as a consequence" flavor but it seems more balanced in black. We could also make it cost a card (still represents madness and is incredibly important) but that is probably too BIG a cost instead of too little, even at 4 damage.
I tried to tone down the BOLD text, did it work?
Ooh Ooh great Idea: What if you have to exile cards from your Graveyard instead of your deck (say 3 cards, maybe 4)? Now it is a real cost (like Grim Lavamancer) and it works against the "Land in my GY" subtheme from the (B/U) Theme. I think this works someone tell me why it doesn't.
I'm a proud member of the Online Campaign for Real English. If you believe in capital letters, correct spelling, and good sentence structure, then copy this into your signature.
"People with needs have trivial purchasing power while people with purchasing power have trivial needs."
-Steve Randy Waldman, Interfludity
I think turn 1 and 2 in an aggro build 4 damage/discard 1 will be huge and any other time it will be terrible outside of shenanigans, making it only work in decks with kuldotha red type clocks.
4 damage and 2 life has been done before- it's called char and everyone played it, we would probably have a black functional reprint if we wanted balance- at 1 mana char would be pretty strong. Grandaddy Psionic Blast is regularly picked early in cube drafts in my area, I switched to counterburn last time I saw one passed 5th/6th pick first pack.
^Hmm. that could be interesting. leads me to another card.
Strip Miner (2/B)
A mud covered machine glows sinisterly from a sparkling array of mana
Artifact Creature- Assembly-Worker
Defender
Exile a land card from your graveyard: Strip Miner loses defender until end of turn.
It's thirst for the mana is never quenched.
3/1
WSoul SistersW
Commander
WIsperia the InscrutableU
WGaddock TeegG
UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Archester
Custom Cube
I'm pretty sure you're not the only one who does the art description.
Maybe it's just me, but i just have trouble reading it like that.
I don't really like smog fire TBH. Black very rarely gets direct damage, and I don't really see exiling the top 10 as a downside. Sure, in limited it's a bit of an issue, but you could always just slow roll them until the end of the game and kill them with it.
I guess the flavor of it just doesn't really connect for me. IMO l00ke00's a bit closer with losing life. Or, you could go for something like this:
Bog Fire B
Instant
As an additional cost to cast ~, sacrifice a land.
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player
I don't like this card either because it's lightning bolt in black, but i think it's both more valanced and more thematic.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
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Archester: Frontier of Steam (A steampunk set!)
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How about this...
Manufactory Explosion :2mana::symb:
Instant [Uncommon]
As an additional cost to cast ~, sacrifice a land.
~ deals 3 damage to target creature or player and you lose 2 life.
You might be surprised just how far blame can be thrown.
Edit: do great minds think alike?
Sig by Rivenor
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2 life and sacrifice? might be usable at 1B though I doubt I'd actually play it. 2 cards, 2 mana and 2 life to kill one hill giant seems like a desperate move you do when you have a janky combo.
and in an aggressive draft deck in this relatively low mill set, sure. In a core set I would never try such a thing and anyone trying that in Innistrad is just asking to do the twist.
WSoul SistersW
Commander
WIsperia the InscrutableU
WGaddock TeegG
UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Archester
Custom Cube
Alternatively, the 4 damage instant uncommon mill 10 could be a red spell.
Smogfire R
Instant (U)
As an additional cost to cast ~, exile the top 10 cards of your library.
~ deals 4 damage to target creature or player.
Smogfire v2 BB
Instant
Each player loses 4 life.
Lyzolda, the Blood Witch | Maga, Traitor to Mortals | Mayael the Anima | Rafiq of the Many | Rhys the Redeemed
Sasaya, Oorochi Ascendant | Sygg, River Cutthroat | Thada Adel, Acquisitor | Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
Also the "Exile top 10" mechanic is detrimental to the "If there is a artifact in your graveyard, [Good Effect]." mechanic in :symrg:. Can we please get away from the "exile top 10' mechanic. It doesn't even make sense in this block.
Sig by Rivenor
Cube. The best way to play Magic. PERIOD. Come over and check it out. Also, check out my Peasant Split Card Cube.
The World of Pokemon RPG has been rebooted. Come over and check it out.
Set Creation Projects: Archester: Frontier of Steam Come over and check out our AWESOME Steampunk set.
(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)
This one is really cool.
There is also another possibility-
Smogfire Deluxe EditionBB
Sorcery
Each player loses 2 life. Target player loses 2 additional life unless he sacrifices a permanent.
or-
Choking Smog BB
Sorcery
Each player sacrifices a permanent.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if Choking Smog is in your graveyard, target player loses 1 life.
Sacrifice a land: exile Choking Smog from your graveyard. Any player may play this ability.
Hmm. I'm glad I made this out of block, out of color card, it's producing some interesting spells. That last one feels pretty rare though.
WSoul SistersW
Commander
WIsperia the InscrutableU
WGaddock TeegG
UTomorrow, Azami's FamiliarU
Archester
Custom Cube
Let's also not forget that the part of the group cares about Land destruction and Lands in the graveyard. So how about...
Choking Smog II 1BB
Enchantment [Rare]
When ~ enters the battlefield, target player sacrifices a land.
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player loses 1 life, unless he or she sacrifices a land.
Sacrifice a land: Exile ~. Any player may activate this ability.
This one focuses more on the lands and less on the permanents.
Sig by Rivenor
Cube. The best way to play Magic. PERIOD. Come over and check it out. Also, check out my Peasant Split Card Cube.
The World of Pokemon RPG has been rebooted. Come over and check it out.
Set Creation Projects: Archester: Frontier of Steam Come over and check out our AWESOME Steampunk set.
(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)(U/R)(R/W)(W/U)