And here we go!
Here's Gizmo's comments on the blue stuff.
Same format as before.
"I just generally feel that blue is a hard colour to design for - it`s core abilities of card drawing, countermagic, and Control Magic-type stuff are all extremely powerful and make it very easy to undercost spells, or to go the other way and make them unplayable. You also have to be careful to avoid giving Blue a strong creature base as that has always been it`s main weakness.
The result is that blue gets a LOT of chaff cards in each set and only a very few playable cards. I`m afraid that`s always the way it`s going to be."
EXISTING CARDS
Æther Drift
Rare
Enchantment
2UU
Discard a creature card: Draw a card. Any player may play this ability.
"Now, I know I said blue got chaff, but not THIS chaffy. This is either a) broken if you use Living Death or b) crap if you don`t. It needs an additional cost to the discard (say 1), and then make it so only you can play the ability."
===
Æther Drift
Rare
Enchantment
2UU
1, Discard a creature card: Draw a card.
===
Azure Knight
Uncommon
Creature - Knight
UU
2/2
Whenever an opponent plays a green spell, you may draw a card.
"EEK! This is way overpowered. The red version is fine because the first thing they`ll do is shock it, but this version is not only a cheap version of an existing hoser, but made into a tourney-viable creature so it is impossible for green to kill! I would simply make it a 2/2 Prot:Green monster for UU1"
===
True, true. Keeping it simple, then (unless someone has a better suggestion).
Azure Knight
Uncommon
Creature - Knight
1UU
2/2
Protection from green.
===
Clairvoyant Student
Common
Creature - Wizard
1U
1/1
When Clairvoyant Student leaves play, you may look at the top 4 cards of your library and return them in any order.
"So this is a bad Sage Owl? Make it useful and have the effect an Impulse instead."
===
Good point. Also considering a Brainstorm effect...
Clairvoyant Student
Common
Creature - Wizard
1U
1/1
When Clairvoyant Student leaves play, you may look at the top 4 cards of your library. Put one of those cards into your hand and the rest on the bottome of your library in any order.
===
Directed Feedback
Uncommon
Instant
U
Counter target red or green spell unless its controller pays an additional 2.
"Urgh. Obviously fair, but I fear we might be making life too hard for aggro decks anyway so I would cut this. Maybe make it into a Force Spike, but having to pay 2 makes it REALLY good, which it shouldn`t be."
===
Considering cutting this card.
===
Faulty Recollection
Uncommon
Instant
U
Target opponent searches your library for 3 cards. Put those cards into your hand.
"Jeez, you don`t make my job easy, do you? I`m trying to work out if this card is broken, or just absolutely amazing. Being able to cast a super-Tithe for 3 Islands is broken, but I think there are enough restrictions on it to make it just about balanced. You only get Islands, so you can`t use it to run duals like Tithe does. You can`t use it to break a mana screw because your opponent
will give you 3 Treachery instead. You might well have to discard down to 7 cards anyway. I think every blue player would play 4 without even having to think about it, but it should be fine. Keeping my fingers crossed, I say keep it."
===
Yay! I love this card.
===
Foundation of Illusion
Rare
Enchantment
UUU
Creatures you control gain flying and "UU: Return this creature to its owner's hand."
When Foundation of Illusion is put into a graveyard from play, you may return 3 Islands you control to their owners' hands. If you do, return Foundation of Illusion to its owner's hand.
"It has the word Foundation in the title and is therefore a hideously undercosted and overpowered spell. UUU for Levitation and 'all my monsters are Rainbow Efreet'? Cut it, then lock it up and throw away the key."
===
Better yet, somebody fix this card! (please)
Obviously sac 2 Islands would be a better return cost, as we've done with the other Foundations. By the way, it's supposed to be Legendary.
Again, only one "Foundation" really counts, but it only makes sense to only do the one or to do all five.
Foundation of Illusion
Rare
Legendary Enchantment
1UUU
Creatures you control gain "U: This creature gains flying until end of turn" and "When this creature is put into a graveyard, draw a card."
When Foundation of Illusion is put into a graveyard from play, you may sacrifice two Islands. If you do, return Foundation of Illusion to its owner's hand.
Better?
===
Frizan Telepath
Rare
Creature - Wizard
2UU
0/2
All players play with their hands revealed.
2U, Tap: Look at the top 3 cards of target player's library and put them back in any order.
"I`d make it 2/2 and UU1 to activate."
===
Frizan Telepath
Rare
Creature - Wizard
2UU
2/2
All players play with their hands revealed.
1UU, Tap: Look at the top 3 cards of target player's library and put them back in any order.
===
Frizan Taunt
Common
Instant
U
Counter target spell. That spell's controller untaps a number of lands equal to that spell's converted mana cost.
"Even with the downside this spell HAS to cost UU to cast. That makes it strictly worse than Counterspell, but it also means you can now play 8 UU counters in standard."
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How about 1U?
===
Frizan Trickster
Uncommon
Creature - Wizard
3UU
2/3
Whenever Frizan Trickster is dealt combat damage, put that many denial counters on it.
Remove a denial counter from Frizan Trickster: Counter target spell unless it's controller pays an additional 1.
"Has to be Rare."
===
Done.
===
Frizan Wish
Uncommon
Instant
1U
Look at the top 4 cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order unless any player pays 2. If one does, remove those cards from the game instead.
"Look, if you want to play with Impulse just reprint Impulse. I`d cut this then think about reprinting Impulse.
I wouldn`t think for very long though, and then I`d decide not to.
"
===
Heavens. You're right about Impulse
but I'm trying so hard for a slightly weaker version, since the consensus seems to be that's the original is too good.
Please help save this card.
===
Frizan Wizard
Rare
Creature - Wizard
3UU
2/3
UU,Tap: Target spell which targets one creature targets Frizan Wizard instead.
UU,Tap: Target spell that targets only Frizan Wizard targets another creature instead. (#The new target must be legal.#)
"Make this the Morphling of the set. 3/3 Flyer, abilities don`t tap to use, and new name. That might sound good, but it will actually be much worse than a Morphling because it cannot flex it`s power/toughness, the ability costs more, and they cannot redirect a removal spell unless they have something to redirect it to."
===
Okay.
(suggest cool name)
Rare
Creature - ?
3UU
3/3
Flying
UU: Target spell which targets one creature targets ~ instead.
UU: Target spell that targets only ~ targets another creature instead. (#The new target must be legal.#)
===
Group Meditation
Uncommon
Instant
2U
Draw two cards.
Any opponent may pay 2 to draw 2 cards.
"Now, open the blue door of the mind."
"Unnecessarily complicated. Simplify by making it “all players draw 3 cards” and a Sorcery."
===
Hmm. A mini-Prosperity?
Well, okay, but I don't think anyone will use it.
===
Illusory Barrier
Uncommon
1UU
Enchant Land
As long as an opponent controls as least two more land than you, Illusory Barrier has, "UUU, Tap enchanted land: Counter Target spell."
"Rare, UU1 to activate."
===
Okay.
===
Intense Study
Rare
Enchantment
2U
At the beginning of your draw step, you may draw an extra card. Your spells cost an additional 1.
"Nice, we all really like this."
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Yay again! I love this card.
===
Istanbul
Rare
3UU
Creature - Wizard Legend
0/0
U: Istanbul can't be the target of spells or effects until end of turn.
UU: Return Istanbul to owner's hand..
1UU, Tap, discard a card: Counter target spell.
"No."
"0/0? I think 2/2 (oopsie --CT) is more fair but I`d lose one of the two defensive abilties - either he`s untargetable or he bounces, but having both is too powerful. I`d lose the untargetability."
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Well, this one's Istanbul's, so I'll let him pick.
===
Liberal Education
Uncommon
Enchantment
2UU
Whenever you play a spell, you may pay its converted mana cost (in addition to all other costs) . If you do, draw a card at end of turn.
"I didn't pay your Academy tuition just so you could play card games!" -- Magic parent
"Unless you`ve got a specific combo fear I`d cut the ‘at end of turn’ part."
===
Okay.
===
Memory Boost
Uncommon
Enchantment
3U
Whenever you play a spell, sacrifice Memory Boost. If you do, draw a number of cards equal to that spell's converted mana cost.
"Unclear wording. I assume this is meant to trigger at the next spell, rather than when you choose to use it? ‘Whenever you next play a spell...’"
===
Right.
Memory Boost
Uncommon
Enchantment
3U
Whenever you next play a spell, sacrifice Memory Boost to draw a number of cards equal to that spell's converted mana cost.
This should also make it clear that Memory Boost must actually be sacrificed, just like Second Chance.
===
Pack of Leaflets
Common
Instant
1UU
Draw 2 cards. If another Pack of leaflets is on the stack, you may play Pack of Leaflets without paying its mana cost.
Hey, Brother, would you care for some inspirational reading?
"Cut."
===
Yup. Replacing with the "welkin" version.
===
Snoozing Faerie
Common
Creature - Faerie
U
1/2
Sloth #(This creature comes into play tapped and doesn't untap during your untap step if it came under your control since the beginning of your last turn.)#
Flying.
"Neither of us like Sloth, suggest you replace it with “Comes into play tapped. Snoozing Faerie does not untap during your untap phase if it attacked on your last turn.” And a 1/2 for U is too good at defending, a 2/1 is better especially considering the restriction my new ability puts on attacking."
Snoozing Illusion
Uncommon
Creature - Illusion
UU
Sloth #(This creature comes into play tapped and doesn't untap during your untap step if it came under your control since the beginning of your last turn.)#
Snoozing Illusion is unblockable.
"Umm, 2/2? (oopsie again -- CT) Again kill the Sloth and give it the same ability as Snoozing Faerie."
===
Agreed.
Snoozing Faerie
Common
Creature - Faerie
U
2/1
~ Comes into play tapped.
If ~ attacks, it doesn't untap during your next untap step.
Flying.
Snoozing Illusion
Uncommon
Creature - Illusion
UU
2/2
~ Comes into play tapped.
If ~ attacks, it doesn't untap during your next untap step.
~ is unblockable.
===
Reverse Engineering
Uncommon
Sorcery
UU
Sacrifice an artifact to draw a number of cards equal to its converted mana cost.
"If we can figure out how this thing works, perhaps we can make a better one." -- Kurant, Frizan Artificer
"Instant"
===
Done.
===
Rune of Intelligence
Common
Enchantment
U
Delay 4 #(This card comes into play with 4 delay counters on it. Any time instants are legal, you may pay 1 to remove a delay counter. This card's other abilities cannot be used if there are delay counters on it.)#
Sacrifice Rune of Intelligence: Target player draws 2 cards.
Rune of the Void
Uncommon
Enchantment
U
Delay 2 #(This card comes into play with 2 delay counters on it. Any time instants are legal, you may pay 1 to remove a delay counter. This card's other abilities cannot be used if there are delay counters on it.)#
Sacrifice Rune of theVoid: Counter target spell. Put that spell card on top of it's owner's library instead of into the graveyard.
"Cut"
===
Godawful, I remember.
Attempting a fix...
Suggestions, *please*.
Rune of Intelligence
1U
~ comes into play with 2 delay counters on it.
Whenever an opponent (does something) you may remove a delay counter from ~.
If there are no delay counters on ~, it has "Sacrifice ~: Target player draws two cards."
Rune of the Void
UU
~ comes into play with 2 delay counters on it.
Whenever an opponent (does something) you may remove a delay counter from ~.
If there are no delay counters on ~, it has "Sacrifice ~: Counter target spell. Remove that spell card from the game."
===
Shimmering Charm
Uncommon
Instant
1U
Choose one - Look at the top 3 cards of your library, put one into your hand and remove the rest from the game, or Search your library for up to 3 cards and remove them from the game (then shuffle your library), or Target non-creature artifact is an artifact creature with power and toughness equal to its converted mana cost until end of turn.
"Cut. Two Charm cycles is too many"
===
Okay.
This one was wordy anyhow.
===
Shimmering Knight
Uncommon
Creature - Knight
UU
2/2
Whenever an opponent plays a red spell, you may draw a card.
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Shall we raise the cost of this one to 1UU also?
===
Spirit of Prosperity
Rare
Creature - Spirit
2UU
0/3
Flying.
Whenever Spirit of Prosperity deals combat damage, you and your opponents may each draw X cards, where X is the amount of
damage dealt.
UU: +1/+0 until ecnd of turn.
"Yuck, Cut"
===
Or, keeping in the "spirit" of the black one...
Prosperous Spirit
Rare
Creature - Ghost
2UU
0/3
Flying.
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to an opponent, you and that player may each draw X cards, where X is the amount of damage dealt.
UU: +1/+0 until ecnd of turn.
Still not likely to get used much, I know, but...
===
Spiteful Sprite
Uncommon
Creature - Faerie
U
2/2
Flying. At the beginning of your upkeep, discard a blue card or sacrifice Spiteful Sprite. Spiteful Sprite can block only creatures with flying.
"The discard is really harsh because it specifies blue, make it 3/2."
===
Agreed.
===
Temporal Servant
Uncommon
Creature - Illusion
2U
1/2
1U,return Temporal Servant to its owner's hand: Draw a card.
"1/1, This is already a cheap Whispers and I might rename it Servant Of The Muse or somesuch in honour of that great card."
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Servant of the Muse
Uncommon
Creature - Illusion
2U
1/1
1U, return ~ to its owner's hand: Draw a card.
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Trouble at Home
Rare
Enchantment
3U
Players can't target permanents they control.
"Get thine own house in order."
“...themselves or permanents...”
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Well, why not?
===
Winds of Stupidity
Rare
Instant
2UUU
Counter all spells.
"The most accurately named spell EVER! I see no reason not to keep it, but it`s rarely going to see play. Fun I guess."
===
Precisely.
===
REPRINTS
A few basic abilities are missing (counter, bounce), and there is also a HUGE gap in the ‘slightly undercsosted flyer’ column where you usually find Phantom Monster or Drake Hatchling. I don`t want too many reprints though, so let`s keep it to a minimum and try to fill some gaps with new cards.
Power Sink, everything Common
(reprinted as a common)
Remove Soul, 5th Common
(reprinted as a common)
Tidal Warrior, Stronghold Common
(reprinted as a common)
Legacy`s Allure, Tempest Uncommon
(reprinted as an Uncommon)
Wall Of Thunder, Ice Age Uncommon
(reprinted as Uncommon)
Political Trickery, Mirage Rare
(reprinted as a Rare) (okay, I gotta draw the line at rares... -CT
)
NEW CARDS
A couple of ideas inspired by existing Casualties cards, and a few attempts to fill gaps in the blue theme.
Flock Of Birds
Common
U1
Creature - Bird
1/1
Flying
When Flock Of Birds comes into play you may put another Flock Of Birds card into play from your hand.
Sympathetic Imp
Uncommon
U1
Creature - Imp
2/2
Flying
Whenever a creature goes to any graveyard from play that creature`s controller gains control of Sympathetic Imp.
(A relative of Black`s Treacherous Imp.)
Snoozing Djinn
Uncommon
UU2
Creature - Djinn
4/4
Flying
Snoozing Djinn comes into play tapped. Snoozing Djinn does not untap during your untap phase if it attacked on your previous turn.
Perpetual Spike
Common
U1
Instant
Counter target spell unless that spell`s caster pays 1. You may search your library for another Perpetual Spike card and put into your hand, if you do so shuffle your library afterwards.
Perpetual Flux
Common
U1
Instant
Return target creature to it`s owner`s hand. You may search your library for another Perpetual Flux card and put into your hand, if you do so shuffle your library afterwards.
Deja Vu
Uncommon
UU1
Sorcery
Put target artifact, enchantment, or land on top of it`s owner`s library.
Rhystic Connection (with a different name? - CT)
Rare
UU2
Enchantment
Whenever any player plays a spell all other players may choose to draw a card.
Counterbomb (needs a proper name)
Rare
UU2
Instant
Counter target spell.
UUU2: Return Counterbomb to your hand. You may play this ability only if Counterbomb is in your graveyard and only if it is the beginning of your upkeep.
(still need more common chaff, and a Prodigal Sorceror card)
-
Gizmo
===
And there it is.
Looks like our blue stuff took a beating.
Comments, everyone!
