Leyline of Symmetry2UU
Enchantment
If Leyline of Symmetry is in your opening hand, you may begin the game with it on the battlefield.
Whenever a player casts a spell that targets a permanent they don't control, that permanent's controller copies that spell as it resolves. Each of those copies targets a permanent their controller doesn't control.
A complement to Leyline of Sanctity, I tried an approach which doesn´t make interaction impossible, but values the threat resilience of each
permanent-based strategy.
This wasn´t intended specifically for Modern play, but I tried to make Slaughter Pact shenanigans as difficult as possible. Is this enough? I also wonder if a simpler and/or more elegant wording is possible.
The interactive domain of the effect has too much impact, and would tip the scales at the start of the game (not fun). However, if you put this on a creature the same cost, then it would great (just as dynamic—and far more balanced).
The interactive domain of the effect has too much impact, and would tip the scales at the start of the game (not fun). However, if you put this on a creature the same cost, then it would great (just as dynamic—and far more balanced).
I didn´t write it, but I suspected that. If it worked only on creatures would it still be unfun? (Just to be clear, this is out of curiosity, I don´t think I would like the card with this change.)
Regardless, I will try and do as you suggest
Edit: Another question: Is the wording correct on the card, as far as you know?
That is a frighteningly complex card. You trigger on cast and then if the spell resolves a copy is created. Then you put a targeting restriction that is very easy to be impossible.
The worst part of the card is waiting till the original spell resolves to actually make the copy because that is a whole host of problems. The second biggest problem is the open-ended check for targets followed by the restriction on targets for the copy. The simplest example of a problem with that is a standard card Expansion//Explosion. If a player targets an opponent's creature to damage and themselves to draw the player with the creature can't actually copy the explosion because its targets are illegal, another obvious example is Switcheroo.
Looking at the card its intent is to make removal spells symmetrical meaning it wants to be played in a permanent heavy deck. However, it fails on multiple axis. First, this obviously does nothing if the opponent doesn't have the permanent types that are being targeted. If they have no creatures this card does nothing when they murder your creature. If they have no planeswalker they can Swift End without repercussion. With no enchantments, they can Nature's Claim without worry. So the card is trying to do something that just can't be done with the tools it has. Second because it only works on spot removal you are still wide open to mass removal.
In the end, it is a card trying to be powerful but ends of so laughable weak that its only chance at seeing any play is in the very thing you tried to prevent; namely a slaughter pack style deck that is trying to take advantage of the symmetricalness rather than actually using it as a shield.
That is a frighteningly complex card. You trigger on cast and then if the spell resolves a copy is created. Then you put a targeting restriction that is very easy to be impossible.
The worst part of the card is waiting till the original spell resolves to actually make the copy because that is a whole host of problems. The second biggest problem is the open-ended check for targets followed by the restriction on targets for the copy. The simplest example of a problem with that is a standard card Expansion/Explosion. If a player targets an opponent's creature to damage and themselves to draw the player with the creature can't actually copy the explosion because its targets are illegal, another obvious example is Switcheroo.
There was a reason behind waiting until resolution to cast the copy: if I remember correctly, it was to prevent cards like Suffocating Blast to get easily countered.
If I chose to ignore that particular situation, I could change the text to "Whenever a player casts a spell that targets a permanent they don't control, that permanent's controller copies that spell. The copy can't target a permanent its controller controls" or something like that. This way Leyline of Symmetry should be fine in most other cases. It doesn't work with Switcheroo, but I'm fine with that, since that card has a sort of "symmetrical" effect by itself. I'm not a fan of Lightning Bolt being able to go upstairs, but that´s a price I'm willing to pay.
Looking at the card its intent is to make removal spells symmetrical meaning it wants to be played in a permanent heavy deck. However, it fails on multiple axis. First, this obviously does nothing if the opponent doesn't have the permanent types that are being targeted. If they have no creatures this card does nothing when they murder your creature. If they have no planeswalker they can Swift End without repercussion. With no enchantments, they can Nature's Claim without worry. So the card is trying to do something that just can't be done with the tools it has. Second because it only works on spot removal you are still wide open to mass removal.
Actually I thought it would be best suited to passively combat attrition, mainly in Tempo strategies like Delver of Secrets decks. In that case, it's actually working as intended if it doesn't do anything while the opponent doesn't have a valid target, because that should mean that you're ahead.
Moreover, this isn't thought as a catch-all answer: its purpose mainly is to counter spot removal as means to get ahead on board.
Leyline of Symmetry is supposed to be a sideboard card, so it's normal if it doesn't always work, as long as it isn't too often useless.
Enchantment
If Leyline of Symmetry is in your opening hand, you may begin the game with it on the battlefield.
Whenever a player casts a spell that targets a permanent they don't control, that permanent's controller copies that spell as it resolves. Each of those copies targets a permanent their controller doesn't control.
A complement to Leyline of Sanctity, I tried an approach which doesn´t make interaction impossible, but values the threat resilience of each
permanent-based strategy.
This wasn´t intended specifically for Modern play, but I tried to make Slaughter Pact shenanigans as difficult as possible. Is this enough? I also wonder if a simpler and/or more elegant wording is possible.
The interactive domain of the effect has too much impact, and would tip the scales at the start of the game (not fun). However, if you put this on a creature the same cost, then it would great (just as dynamic—and far more balanced).
I didn´t write it, but I suspected that. If it worked only on creatures would it still be unfun? (Just to be clear, this is out of curiosity, I don´t think I would like the card with this change.)
Regardless, I will try and do as you suggest
Edit: Another question: Is the wording correct on the card, as far as you know?
The worst part of the card is waiting till the original spell resolves to actually make the copy because that is a whole host of problems. The second biggest problem is the open-ended check for targets followed by the restriction on targets for the copy. The simplest example of a problem with that is a standard card Expansion//Explosion. If a player targets an opponent's creature to damage and themselves to draw the player with the creature can't actually copy the explosion because its targets are illegal, another obvious example is Switcheroo.
Looking at the card its intent is to make removal spells symmetrical meaning it wants to be played in a permanent heavy deck. However, it fails on multiple axis. First, this obviously does nothing if the opponent doesn't have the permanent types that are being targeted. If they have no creatures this card does nothing when they murder your creature. If they have no planeswalker they can Swift End without repercussion. With no enchantments, they can Nature's Claim without worry. So the card is trying to do something that just can't be done with the tools it has. Second because it only works on spot removal you are still wide open to mass removal.
In the end, it is a card trying to be powerful but ends of so laughable weak that its only chance at seeing any play is in the very thing you tried to prevent; namely a slaughter pack style deck that is trying to take advantage of the symmetricalness rather than actually using it as a shield.
There was a reason behind waiting until resolution to cast the copy: if I remember correctly, it was to prevent cards like Suffocating Blast to get easily countered.
If I chose to ignore that particular situation, I could change the text to "Whenever a player casts a spell that targets a permanent they don't control, that permanent's controller copies that spell. The copy can't target a permanent its controller controls" or something like that. This way Leyline of Symmetry should be fine in most other cases. It doesn't work with Switcheroo, but I'm fine with that, since that card has a sort of "symmetrical" effect by itself. I'm not a fan of Lightning Bolt being able to go upstairs, but that´s a price I'm willing to pay.
Actually I thought it would be best suited to passively combat attrition, mainly in Tempo strategies like Delver of Secrets decks. In that case, it's actually working as intended if it doesn't do anything while the opponent doesn't have a valid target, because that should mean that you're ahead.
Moreover, this isn't thought as a catch-all answer: its purpose mainly is to counter spot removal as means to get ahead on board.
Leyline of Symmetry is supposed to be a sideboard card, so it's normal if it doesn't always work, as long as it isn't too often useless.