I'm trying to think of a nifty keyword to give some creatures in my set. The creatures are psions, or people/creatures that have an advanced grasp of their mental faculties to the point where they can alter reality with their thoughts.
I need to come up with a cool, elegant mechanic that involves counters on the creature. That's really the only limitation.
Since the way mental powers can vary (pyrokinesis, telepathy, telekinesis, etc.) I would suggest making a loose mechanic instead of a keyword.
Since you want counters, this is what comes to mind:
The creature enters the battlefield with N psionic counters on it. You can pay a cost and remove a counter to use an ability. The cost shouldn't always be necessary though.
Example:
Telepath U
Creature- Human
~ enters the battlefield with a psionic counter on it.
Remove a Psionic counter from ~: Look at each opponents hand.
1/1
Maybe something like,
Psionic - Whenever you play an Instant or Sorcery with the same converted mana cost as ~, you may put a Psion counter on ~.
Then you could have abilities that did stuff depending on the number of counters on it.
Like, 'T: Look at the top X cards of target player's library, where X is the number of Psion counters on ~."
But, that would make you have to design around CMC, I'm not sure you're willing to do that. Also, it's really hard to see this outside of blue, as blue is generally the color associated with mental 'evolvedness'.
I opened one last year, got two crap worldwake packs and 8x scathe zombies, which I promptly hid around my sister's apartment for her roommates to find. But, yeah, it was a piece of crap.
You, sir, have just won the internet. Congratulations.
How about spellshapers? Something to the effect of:
Black Psion
Creature - Psion Spellshaper
Whenever you cast a black spell, you may put a charge counter on ~.
:symb:, :symtap:: you may cast a spell with the same converted mana cost as the number of charge counters on ~ without paying its mana cost.
1/1
Maybe something like,
Psionic - Whenever you play an Instant or Sorcery with the same converted mana cost as ~, you may put a Psion counter on ~.
Then you could have abilities that did stuff depending on the number of counters on it.
I'm not good at designing keywords, but I like this idea. It would require a lot of the set to be built around it, though - you would want more than 1 sorc/instant at each cost point that a psion was at.
And instead of having the abilities care about the number of counters, it could just be a strong ability with "play this only if this has a psion counter."
I've actually decided to forgo the keyword bit and just have Psions come into play with a certain number of (non +1/+1) counters based on a certain criteria.
Still, feel free to discuss more possibilities--they might be cooler than what I thought up.
"[verb form of whatever word you want] X (comes into play with X [whatever]" counters on it.
My next goal would be to make cards that have a variable effect depending on these psionic creatures -
Blue Fateseal spellUU
Instant
Choose a creature you control. Fateseal 2+X, where X is the number of [whatever] counters on the chosen creature.
Draw a card.
The possibilities are endless imo. You can even make powerful expensive cards that look at the combined number of counters on all your psionic dudes. Then of course most of the guys will have their own abilities based on their own power, and some cards may change the psychic strength by adding/removing/moving around the counters, etc.
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@crusader_8: I'll be frank say that that is a terrible idea.
Please keep the cards mechanically independent. Support cards are fine, but effects like this are... gross. This kind of thing is iffy even with tribal, which gets some support indirectly or directly in almost every set.
Well, don't know if his is the flavor you're looking for, but I once made use of psions like this.
Bene Gesserit Initiate
Cost: 1WU
Creature - Human Cleric
Psionic (If this creature would deal damage to a player, exile that many cards from the top of his or her library instead.) (W/U),T: Tap target creature.
2/2
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I've actually decided to forgo the keyword bit and just have Psions come into play with a certain number of (non +1/+1) counters based on a certain criteria.
Ryzorz, if you feel it's terrible then take it up with the OP. As for my card idea I threw out there, as a brainstorm so I really don't know why it's so appauling anyway (it doesn't even have a thought out card name) because a 2 costing card that by itself can Fateseal 2 and is a cantrip is something WotC would feasibly print. But like I said, the above quote explains my previous post quite clearly - OP wants counters, this is a brainstorming-oriented thread, I toss in fuel to the fire to keep the ideas coming. If anything it's weird you post just to tell me how bad my post was without offering any substance to the thread topic of helping out the OP on this, but hey it's not the first time I've seen that in the CCC forum.
Tranquilo - check out Crumbling Sanctuary. Your keyword interpretation of Psionics is interesting because C.S. would pretty much read that each creature gains Psionics.
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Seven Knights gathered under a single banner, but soon came to learn one more would join their cause.
Beastmaster Psion :2mana::symg:
~ comes into play with a (*) counter on it for each creature you control.
:symg::symtap:: Remove a (*) counter from ~. Up to two target creatures get +1/+1 and gain trample until end of turn.
1/2
This could easily show up as an uncommon in your set...
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I opened one last year, got two crap worldwake packs and 8x scathe zombies, which I promptly hid around my sister's apartment for her roommates to find. But, yeah, it was a piece of crap.
You, sir, have just won the internet. Congratulations.
A UU instant that fateseals 2, even if it cantrips, is not a good card. Fateseal is an ability that should be tacked on to abilities that you want anyways, like scry was, for an extra mana or two.
A card that is almost useless outside of the set it goes in because it keys off of mechanics in that set is a bad idea.
And there is nothing wrong with what the op wants. As long as the cards are mechanically independent. i.e. psionics should be like slivers, in that playing only a couple in a deck is possible, you don't have to commit fully to psionics for them to be decent but it's more powerful when you do; not splice onto arcane, where you have to commit a large portion of your deck to the mechanic for any effect. Which is what i was saying with my post: The mechanic will be fine, as long as it's not super linear. The cards should be self contained, and you should avoid effects that count the number of [psion] counters on cards. (on cards that don't produce psion counters).
Again, the fateseal card was a template to go on. But I guess I didn't spell that out.
I'm thinking three basic philosophies behind the mechanic or intentions of the mechanic.
1. Each psionic creature will either come into play with a psionic value or a number of counters that the card states that still shows its psychic value.
2. The intention of this is either to provide an immediate boost or benefit to the psionic creature or creatures you control, and/or to design spells that will get a boost from one or more of your psionic creatures most likely based on the value stated on the card or counters.
3. There's no avoiding blue as the primary candidate to showcase this mechanic, so most of the psionic-boosted spells or abilities will most likely involve control, permission or deck manipulation/CA.
Although it's just as likely Psionic creatures could all simply be classified as creatures that get a fateseal or scry effect off when they enter the battlefield, just like how each samurai was identified by having at least bushido 1. But that wouldn't be as fun.
Back to the original idea - it's been clearly said my template was not good as the template it was meant to be. If actually printed, it would probably look more like this.
Improved Psionic Spell Template2U
Instant
Draw two cards, then discard one card.
Choose a creature you control, then Fateseal 2+X, where X is equal to the number of (*) counters on that creature.
Of course I just thought of another idea halfway through typing that. It would be neat if Psionic creatures were small and evasive (you know like how many blue creatures used to be) and whenever one or more psionic creatures hit the opponent in combat (worded so that it won't stack), each psionic creature adds a trigger as a result. Think of having a Thieving Magpie kind of psionic guy that gets his ability off as long as at least one his buddies got through. Flavor-wise provided enough balance is provided to the theme it would be cool because psionics mentally network together to strengthen their psychic strategies.
That's the most solid brainstorm I have so far, and it gets rid of the need of having to have a specific value or come-into-play-with-counters ability which can get messy at times or even clunk up the game.
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Seven Knights gathered under a single banner, but soon came to learn one more would join their cause.
Resilient Psion2G
Creature -- Human Warrior (U)
Psionic (This creature enters the field with a mind counter on it. Whenever you cast a spell with the same converted mana cost, you may put a mind counter on this.)
If CARDNAME would be destroyed, you may remove a mind counter from a creature you control. If you do, regenerate CARDNAME.
3/2
Deepthought Psion3U
Creature -- Human Wizard (U)
Psionic (This creature enters the field with a mind counter on it. Whenever you cast a spell with the same converted mana cost, you may put a mind counter on this.) 1U, Remove a mind counter from a creature you control: Draw two cards, then discard a card. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
2/3
I need to come up with a cool, elegant mechanic that involves counters on the creature. That's really the only limitation.
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Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
Since you want counters, this is what comes to mind:
The creature enters the battlefield with N psionic counters on it. You can pay a cost and remove a counter to use an ability. The cost shouldn't always be necessary though.
Example:
Telepath U
Creature- Human
~ enters the battlefield with a psionic counter on it.
Remove a Psionic counter from ~: Look at each opponents hand.
1/1
Psionic - Whenever you play an Instant or Sorcery with the same converted mana cost as ~, you may put a Psion counter on ~.
Then you could have abilities that did stuff depending on the number of counters on it.
Like, 'T: Look at the top X cards of target player's library, where X is the number of Psion counters on ~."
But, that would make you have to design around CMC, I'm not sure you're willing to do that. Also, it's really hard to see this outside of blue, as blue is generally the color associated with mental 'evolvedness'.
Blue: draw cards, flying, control-ish stuff
Black: discard, -1/-1, reanimation (maybe only on one card), fear/dethtouch
Green: creature pump, mana production, trample, reach
White: enchantment/artifact kill, lifelink, protection, redirecting/preventing damage
Red: Burn. Creature burn + Player burn. Maybe haste and/or creatures can't block.
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
Black Psion
Creature - Psion Spellshaper
Whenever you cast a black spell, you may put a charge counter on ~.
:symb:, :symtap:: you may cast a spell with the same converted mana cost as the number of charge counters on ~ without paying its mana cost.
1/1
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Claims:
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Decks:
:symu::symb: Bloodchief Ascension - Modern
:symb::symr: Rakdos, the Defiler - EDH
:symu::symb::symw: Sharuum the Hegemon - EDH
:symw::symu::symb: Zur the Enchanter - EDH
I'm not good at designing keywords, but I like this idea. It would require a lot of the set to be built around it, though - you would want more than 1 sorc/instant at each cost point that a psion was at.
And instead of having the abilities care about the number of counters, it could just be a strong ability with "play this only if this has a psion counter."
Still, feel free to discuss more possibilities--they might be cooler than what I thought up.
Like freeform roleplaying? Try Darkness Befalls Us
Ryttare Kelasin Luna Orelinalei
My next goal would be to make cards that have a variable effect depending on these psionic creatures -
Blue Fateseal spell UU
Instant
Choose a creature you control. Fateseal 2+X, where X is the number of [whatever] counters on the chosen creature.
Draw a card.
The possibilities are endless imo. You can even make powerful expensive cards that look at the combined number of counters on all your psionic dudes. Then of course most of the guys will have their own abilities based on their own power, and some cards may change the psychic strength by adding/removing/moving around the counters, etc.
Please keep the cards mechanically independent. Support cards are fine, but effects like this are... gross. This kind of thing is iffy even with tribal, which gets some support indirectly or directly in almost every set.
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
Bene Gesserit Initiate
Cost: 1WU
Creature - Human Cleric
Psionic (If this creature would deal damage to a player, exile that many cards from the top of his or her library instead.)
(W/U),T: Tap target creature.
2/2
Ryzorz, if you feel it's terrible then take it up with the OP. As for my card idea I threw out there, as a brainstorm so I really don't know why it's so appauling anyway (it doesn't even have a thought out card name) because a 2 costing card that by itself can Fateseal 2 and is a cantrip is something WotC would feasibly print. But like I said, the above quote explains my previous post quite clearly - OP wants counters, this is a brainstorming-oriented thread, I toss in fuel to the fire to keep the ideas coming. If anything it's weird you post just to tell me how bad my post was without offering any substance to the thread topic of helping out the OP on this, but hey it's not the first time I've seen that in the CCC forum.
Tranquilo - check out Crumbling Sanctuary. Your keyword interpretation of Psionics is interesting because C.S. would pretty much read that each creature gains Psionics.
Beastmaster Psion :2mana::symg:
~ comes into play with a (*) counter on it for each creature you control.
:symg::symtap:: Remove a (*) counter from ~. Up to two target creatures get +1/+1 and gain trample until end of turn.
1/2
This could easily show up as an uncommon in your set...
Host of the July CCL '10, Host of the March CCL '11
A card that is almost useless outside of the set it goes in because it keys off of mechanics in that set is a bad idea.
And there is nothing wrong with what the op wants. As long as the cards are mechanically independent. i.e. psionics should be like slivers, in that playing only a couple in a deck is possible, you don't have to commit fully to psionics for them to be decent but it's more powerful when you do; not splice onto arcane, where you have to commit a large portion of your deck to the mechanic for any effect. Which is what i was saying with my post: The mechanic will be fine, as long as it's not super linear. The cards should be self contained, and you should avoid effects that count the number of [psion] counters on cards. (on cards that don't produce psion counters).
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
I'm thinking three basic philosophies behind the mechanic or intentions of the mechanic.
1. Each psionic creature will either come into play with a psionic value or a number of counters that the card states that still shows its psychic value.
2. The intention of this is either to provide an immediate boost or benefit to the psionic creature or creatures you control, and/or to design spells that will get a boost from one or more of your psionic creatures most likely based on the value stated on the card or counters.
3. There's no avoiding blue as the primary candidate to showcase this mechanic, so most of the psionic-boosted spells or abilities will most likely involve control, permission or deck manipulation/CA.
Although it's just as likely Psionic creatures could all simply be classified as creatures that get a fateseal or scry effect off when they enter the battlefield, just like how each samurai was identified by having at least bushido 1. But that wouldn't be as fun.
Back to the original idea - it's been clearly said my template was not good as the template it was meant to be. If actually printed, it would probably look more like this.
Improved Psionic Spell Template 2U
Instant
Draw two cards, then discard one card.
Choose a creature you control, then Fateseal 2+X, where X is equal to the number of (*) counters on that creature.
Of course I just thought of another idea halfway through typing that. It would be neat if Psionic creatures were small and evasive (you know like how many blue creatures used to be) and whenever one or more psionic creatures hit the opponent in combat (worded so that it won't stack), each psionic creature adds a trigger as a result. Think of having a Thieving Magpie kind of psionic guy that gets his ability off as long as at least one his buddies got through. Flavor-wise provided enough balance is provided to the theme it would be cool because psionics mentally network together to strengthen their psychic strategies.
That's the most solid brainstorm I have so far, and it gets rid of the need of having to have a specific value or come-into-play-with-counters ability which can get messy at times or even clunk up the game.
Psi-link (This creature has all activated abilities of each other creature with psi-link.)
or if that would be too narrow because you would have to give each one the ability.
Psi-link (This creature has all activated abilities of each other Psionic creature.)
Resilient Psion 2G
Creature -- Human Warrior (U)
Psionic (This creature enters the field with a mind counter on it. Whenever you cast a spell with the same converted mana cost, you may put a mind counter on this.)
If CARDNAME would be destroyed, you may remove a mind counter from a creature you control. If you do, regenerate CARDNAME.
3/2
Deepthought Psion 3U
Creature -- Human Wizard (U)
Psionic (This creature enters the field with a mind counter on it. Whenever you cast a spell with the same converted mana cost, you may put a mind counter on this.)
1U, Remove a mind counter from a creature you control: Draw two cards, then discard a card. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
2/3