The former works in 2-player, but in multiplayer around a table, "head to head" is less defined. For example, in a 4-player game, there's someone to my left, to my right, and across from me. If I make a nemesis of the right-player's creature, making them "head to head" would mean I'd have to rotate my creature in a way that's very hard to distinguish from a tapped creature.
The overlay markers work well with Morph and Manifest, since all morphed and manifested cards are identical. That solution doesn't work for nemesis, since each creature is paired with exactly one other creature. For example, if I put nemesis overlays on two of my creatures and two creatures I don't control, how does that help me remember which of my creatures is paired with which of my opponents' creatures?
That's why I said a cross of the new manifest markers with the old doubled faced ones. I didn't explain it very well. Either they could have list of nemesis cards from the set that you could check off and use to mark them, or something similar. They are also alternative, non full card sized markers that could come with them. Some kind of token marker would be possible, regardless.
It's certainly a concern worth considering, and one I was aware of before posting here. However, that alone I don't feel is enough to throw out an otherwise very flavor mechanic with seemingly interesting design space.
I'd figure that you and your opponent would just set those cards head to head on one side of the battlefield. An additional solution is to have token cards to mark them similar to the double face card markers crossed with the new manifest. However I'd start with the former as a testing point.
I'm revamping an old set of mine that haste a very hate focused feel. Creatures and spells alike focus on making players directly antagonize each and inspire vindictive natures. Color hate, pain, revenge, that what makes this set tick. And what better way to bring that feeling to the battlefield then to confront...
...you worst Nemesis.
(*names and flavor subject to change.)
Relentless Knight3W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Vigilance
When Relentless Knight blocks or is blocked by its nemesis, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2/4
Blightwood Elemental4GG
Creature - Elemental (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Reach
You may have Blightwood Elemental assign its combat damage as though it weren’t blocked by it’s nemesis.
4/6
The Shapeless4U
Creature - Ooze (R)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
When The Shapeless’ nemesis attacks or blocks, untap The Shapeless.
The Shapeless can block its nemesis as if it had no abilities.
4/5
Insurmontable Terror2BB
Creature - Horror
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Intimidate
Insurmotable Terrors power and toughness are each equal to 2 plus its nemesis’ power.
2+*/2+*
Relentless Knight3W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature your opponent controls when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Vigilance
When Relentless Knight blocks or is blocked by its nemesis, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2/4
Another thought about nemesis: what about "you may pair this creature with a creature an opponent controls"? I don't think you would want the nemesis of a creature to be a creature your teammate controls.
That may be the right direction to go, though I'm not fond of the term "Aversion". Nemesis is used very effectively on another mechanic in the set:
Relentless Knight3W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Vigilance
When Relentless Knight blocks or is blocked by its nemesis, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2/4
So I'll use something else. What about Blue Loathing or Blue Hostility?
That may not be a bad idea to condense it that way but I feel your version makes spells too variable/powerful against it's enemy colors. I have no idea what you mean by them not being politically correct. Also, I would like them to trigger off of spell use too still. Funnily enough, the name Nemesis is used for another mechanic in the set. However that's all subject to change it's in an early phase.
One of the sets I'm working on (currently in overhaul) focuses on color hate one of it's major themes. The set is looking to make players feel very vindictive toward enemy colors while punishing their key mechanics and strategies heavily. Inversely, it insights strong feelings toward you favored colors, pushing the love/hate disparity a player might feel towards a color to it's extreme.
The most prominent mechanic I'm working around with right now is Intolerance (name subject to change). It reads as:
(Color) Intolerance (If an opponent cast a (Color) spell this turn or controls a (Color) permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
I'm trying to strike a balance between versatile effects that still home in on the enemies colors signature effects. All the while they should still being useful against non enemy colors. I'm pushing the power level of some of these effects to start. Here are some examples:
Book Burner2RR
Creature - Orge Warrior (R)
Blue Intolerance, Haste
Whenever a player draws a card, Book Burner deals X damage to that player, where X is the number of cards that player has drawn this turn. You think too much.
3/3
Incite Ego3R
Instant (C)
Blue Intolerance (If an opponent cast a blue spell this turn or controls a blue permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Untap all creatures you don't control. Those creatures attack this turn if able.
Ser Fire Halbredier1WW
Creature - Human Soldier
Red Intolerance (If an opponent cast a red spell this turn or controls a red permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
First Strike, Protection from Red
When you are targeted by a spell, you gain X life, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
3/1
Nightfall Preparations1W
Instant (U)
Black Intolerance (If an opponent cast a black spell this turn or controls a black permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Put 2 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Nightfall Plague1BB
Sorcery (R)
White Intolerance (If an opponent cast a white spell this turn or controls a white permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Destroy target creature and each creature that shares that creature's toughness. As those of the night approach, so does what lives inside them.
Strength Binder1UU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Green Intolerance (If an opponent cast a green spell this turn or controls a green permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Flash
Target creature gets -X/-0 until end of turn, where X is that creatures power.
0/2
Water Veil1U
Instant (C)
Red Intolerance (If an opponent cast a red spell this turn or controls a red permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Target creature gets +0/+3 and gain hexproof until end of turn.
Varbargol, Malign Fruit Bearer3GB
Legendary Creature - Zombie Treefolk (R)
Put a -1/-1 counter on ~: Regenerate target creature. It is a black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types. I offer you ambrosia, but just a taste. Then you too shall be eternal.
7/7
Demonic Transformation2BB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+1.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice enchanted creature. Put a 5/5 black Demon creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
Hero's Mantel3WG
Enchantment - Aura (M)
Enchanted Creature
Enchanted Creature has indestructible and "T: This fights target creature." The world called upon a savior. There was an answer.
There are two more problems with the mechanic:
This mechanic is clearly inspired by Clash.
Yes it is, and you bring up the advantages clash has over this quite well. I was certainly aiming at something a less luck oriented and this was my off the cuff rendition.
Similar mechanics have been bouncing around forums for years.
Personally, I like the mechanic in general (though not necessarily this exact rendition) and think it's only a matter of time until WotC implements it somehow despite some people's earnest distaste for this kind of mechanic.
"Duel" is simple with nice flavor that would resonate quite well with most players - particularly those thirtyish and younger.
I like the idea and flavor of the mechanic too even though I agree it's not executed quite right yet by myself or others who have tried it. I'll have to let this one bounce around my head a while longer before I iterate on an update.
Death Dealings WWBB
Sorcery (U)
Choose one or both -
* Destroy target creature.
* Exile target creature.
Who lives and who dies?
(subject to change. Placeholder)
That's why I said a cross of the new manifest markers with the old doubled faced ones. I didn't explain it very well. Either they could have list of nemesis cards from the set that you could check off and use to mark them, or something similar. They are also alternative, non full card sized markers that could come with them. Some kind of token marker would be possible, regardless.
It's certainly a concern worth considering, and one I was aware of before posting here. However, that alone I don't feel is enough to throw out an otherwise very flavor mechanic with seemingly interesting design space.
...you worst Nemesis.
(*names and flavor subject to change.)
Relentless Knight 3W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Vigilance
When Relentless Knight blocks or is blocked by its nemesis, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2/4
Blightwood Elemental 4GG
Creature - Elemental (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Reach
You may have Blightwood Elemental assign its combat damage as though it weren’t blocked by it’s nemesis.
4/6
The Shapeless 4U
Creature - Ooze (R)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
When The Shapeless’ nemesis attacks or blocks, untap The Shapeless.
The Shapeless can block its nemesis as if it had no abilities.
4/5
Insurmontable Terror 2BB
Creature - Horror
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Intimidate
Insurmotable Terrors power and toughness are each equal to 2 plus its nemesis’ power.
2+*/2+*
Thoughts?
Relentless Knight 3W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature your opponent controls when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Vigilance
When Relentless Knight blocks or is blocked by its nemesis, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2/4
You're right, Dunes of Loshar is a different set then this one, and is extremely out of date in terms of what that set is producing.
Quite right! Will adjust.
Relentless Knight 3W
Creature - Human Knight (U)
Nemesis (You may pair this creature with a creature you don’t control when either enters the battlefield. The paired creature is this creature’s nemesis.)
Vigilance
When Relentless Knight blocks or is blocked by its nemesis, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
2/4
So I'll use something else. What about Blue Loathing or Blue Hostility?
Vision to Rule 5UUU
Sorcery (M)
Draw a card for each permanent you don't control.
I see the world laid out just for me.
The most prominent mechanic I'm working around with right now is Intolerance (name subject to change). It reads as:
(Color) Intolerance (If an opponent cast a (Color) spell this turn or controls a (Color) permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
I'm trying to strike a balance between versatile effects that still home in on the enemies colors signature effects. All the while they should still being useful against non enemy colors. I'm pushing the power level of some of these effects to start. Here are some examples:
Book Burner 2RR
Creature - Orge Warrior (R)
Blue Intolerance, Haste
Whenever a player draws a card, Book Burner deals X damage to that player, where X is the number of cards that player has drawn this turn.
You think too much.
3/3
Incite Ego 3R
Instant (C)
Blue Intolerance (If an opponent cast a blue spell this turn or controls a blue permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Untap all creatures you don't control. Those creatures attack this turn if able.
Ser Fire Halbredier 1WW
Creature - Human Soldier
Red Intolerance (If an opponent cast a red spell this turn or controls a red permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
First Strike, Protection from Red
When you are targeted by a spell, you gain X life, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
3/1
Nightfall Preparations 1W
Instant (U)
Black Intolerance (If an opponent cast a black spell this turn or controls a black permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Put 2 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Nightfall Plague 1BB
Sorcery (R)
White Intolerance (If an opponent cast a white spell this turn or controls a white permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Destroy target creature and each creature that shares that creature's toughness.
As those of the night approach, so does what lives inside them.
Strength Binder 1UU
Creature - Human Wizard (U)
Green Intolerance (If an opponent cast a green spell this turn or controls a green permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Flash
Target creature gets -X/-0 until end of turn, where X is that creatures power.
0/2
Water Veil 1U
Instant (C)
Red Intolerance (If an opponent cast a red spell this turn or controls a red permanent, this cost 1 less to cast.)
Target creature gets +0/+3 and gain hexproof until end of turn.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Feel the Hate?
Legendary Creature - Zombie Treefolk (R)
Put a -1/-1 counter on ~: Regenerate target creature. It is a black Zombie in addition to its other colors and types.
I offer you ambrosia, but just a taste. Then you too shall be eternal.
7/7
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+1.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice enchanted creature. Put a 5/5 black Demon creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
IIW: Potions
Hero's Mantel 3WG
Enchantment - Aura (M)
Enchanted Creature
Enchanted Creature has indestructible and "T: This fights target creature."
The world called upon a savior. There was an answer.
Yes it is, and you bring up the advantages clash has over this quite well. I was certainly aiming at something a less luck oriented and this was my off the cuff rendition.
I like the idea and flavor of the mechanic too even though I agree it's not executed quite right yet by myself or others who have tried it. I'll have to let this one bounce around my head a while longer before I iterate on an update.