Just a mechanic idea based around some stuff I've seen around the forums, also my basis for a urban steampunk-esque set. I was also looking for a way to tie Riggers/Contraptions into this, I'll either save that for later or just post another thread. But without further ado, here's the mechanic I've created:
Populate [n] (As this enters the battlefield, put [n] 1/1 colorless Citizen tokens onto the battlefield populating it. When this leaves the battlefield, sacrifice all Citizen tokens populating it.)
Some examples:
Penitentiary Hall3
Artifact - Building (can't decide if I should add the subtype or not)
Populate 2
Citizens populating ~ have "T: Tap target creature."
Cormia Factory6
Artifact - Building
Populate 4
Citizens you control get +1/+1.
Sacrifice a Citizen: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Burun Port5
Artifact - Building
Populate 3 ,T: Add to your mana pool for each Citizen populating ~.
These aren't the best examples, but you get the idea of the mechanic. Of course there would be cards like these to play on a Citizen-tribal theme:
Cormia Forgemaster3RR
Creature - Human Shaman
First strike
Citizens you control get +2/+0 and have first strike.
3/3
Or even this...
Alley Rabblerouser1B
Creature - Human Rogue
~ can't be blocked by Citizens.
2/1
So just tell me what you think, any other ideas are definitely welcome. This isn't the only theme of the set either, I'm hoping for a somewhat artifact themed set, but in a way that's more technology-world rather than Mirrodin's everything made of metal world.
I'm not sure how practical it would be to have the tokens tied to specific cards, but assuming that isn't a problem I really like it. Finding a way to communicate a city environment isn't that easy but simulating the crowds of people is a good direction.
I'd leave out the Building subtype considering we already have Fortifications.
Comments on individual cards:
Putting tap abilities on tokens isn't such a great idea. It's annoying dealing with tapping/untapping when you're using dice or beads to represent them.
Cormia Factory is pretty nuts considering it gets you, at minimum, 8 power of creatures for just six mana, plus the ability to use those creatures as Eldrazi Spawn if you need to ramp.
Yeah the only thing I was super worried about was how to represent the tokens being attached to the "building". If I were to proxy/playtest this, I'm thinking just using counters or something and put them on the card, but somehow differentiate them from charge counters or other counters. Or I could use little game pieces like figures or something
Maybe you should be making 0/1 tokens. Average everyday citizens aren't exactly known for putting up a formidable offense, and permanents that make multiple tokens aren't exactly commonplace for a reason.
The closest printed mechanic I can think of is the Eldrazi Spawn from ROE.
Populate [n] (As this enters the battlefield, put [n] 1/1 colorless Citizen tokens onto the battlefield populating it. When this leaves the battlefield, sacrifice all Citizen tokens populating it.)
Some examples:
Penitentiary Hall 3
Artifact - Building (can't decide if I should add the subtype or not)
Populate 2
Citizens populating ~ have "T: Tap target creature."
Cormia Factory 6
Artifact - Building
Populate 4
Citizens you control get +1/+1.
Sacrifice a Citizen: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Burun Port 5
Artifact - Building
Populate 3
,T: Add to your mana pool for each Citizen populating ~.
These aren't the best examples, but you get the idea of the mechanic. Of course there would be cards like these to play on a Citizen-tribal theme:
Cormia Forgemaster 3RR
Creature - Human Shaman
First strike
Citizens you control get +2/+0 and have first strike.
3/3
Or even this...
Alley Rabblerouser 1B
Creature - Human Rogue
~ can't be blocked by Citizens.
2/1
So just tell me what you think, any other ideas are definitely welcome. This isn't the only theme of the set either, I'm hoping for a somewhat artifact themed set, but in a way that's more technology-world rather than Mirrodin's everything made of metal world.
Thanks to spiderboy4 for the awesome sig.
I'd leave out the Building subtype considering we already have Fortifications.
Comments on individual cards:
Putting tap abilities on tokens isn't such a great idea. It's annoying dealing with tapping/untapping when you're using dice or beads to represent them.
Cormia Factory is pretty nuts considering it gets you, at minimum, 8 power of creatures for just six mana, plus the ability to use those creatures as Eldrazi Spawn if you need to ramp.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
Thanks to spiderboy4 for the awesome sig.
The closest printed mechanic I can think of is the Eldrazi Spawn from ROE.
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