Custom Set Quarahal: Fob Watch Challenge
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Aug. 21, 2014, 5:46 p.m. by pookypuppy6
Heyo! I have a card design challenge for you guys! To start it off, I shall introduce you to the plane of QUARAHAL, a Victorian/steampunk/sky-pirate setting! With the land below buggered beyond repair, the plane's denizens have taken to the skies on giant airships the size of towns, Harassed by pirates, storms and sky monsters galore, they are desperately trying to find a solution to their plight as they fight for survival amongst the clouds!
With a steampunky world with a fair few artifacts, I wanted a common card that is a fob watch. However, I can't for the life of me decide what effect it should have. So, I want a different perspective. IT'S TIME FOR YOU GUYS TO DESIGN A CARD!
Some ground rules on this particular card design challenge.
1) Must be an artifact. Equipment is optional, I think a fob watch would work better as a basic artifact personally.
2) Must be COMMON. That means keep it SIMPLE, simple enough for common. It is possible the fob watch could slide into an uncommon slot, but I'd rather not have that happen as equipment is gonna fill up a lot of space at that rarity with how I've built the set.
3) Must be low CMC. 1 is the ideal CMC, 3 is utter maximum and perhaps a bit much. Other costs in the rules text such as activation costs are more flexible though.
4) Evergreen keywords if any
It might seem like I am putting a lot of restrictions on you guys, and you're right, but by philosophy of "Restrictions breed creativity", I'm positive you guys will come up with something i can work with. Keep in mind that technology on Quarahal is advanced and steampunk-y...plus, we haVe magic too. So a fob watch that is more than meets the eye could lead to some interesting effects that does not necessarily replicate the functions of a real fob watch.
pookypuppy6 says... #3
@ThatBlueMage: Lovely idea for a fob watch card (with some rewording and retooling); I could put it at rare just so I have it be flashy like that as the Sundial of the Infinite of the set..
However, for this particular challenge, I think your design fails at Step 2. While low on the word count, this is not a common effect or simple enough for common. I do understand that it is tricky however; time in a set without the entire theme built in is a hard mechanic to work into common.
August 21, 2014 6:08 p.m.
krokmaster says... #4
Ticking Watch
1
Artifact
The first spell a player plays each turn costs 1 less.
"Focus your mind on the ticking, let go of your fears, and sleep well tonight."
August 21, 2014 6:36 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #5
If Hand-Stuck Watch only applies to the controller, then it's busted as hell. 
to draw an extra card on each of your turns?
August 21, 2014 6:42 p.m.
krokmaster says... #6
That might be an uncommon though, so I'll try again.
Ticking Watch
1
Artifact
Tap: Both players reveal the top card of their library.
(Sorry for lack of formatting. I do a lot of amateur design but I've been focusing on Netrunner lately [Blasphemy, I know.].)
August 21, 2014 6:42 p.m.
You win the game.Nigeltastic says... #8
Darksteel watch 
Artifact - Equipment
Indestructible.
Equip 
August 21, 2014 7:02 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #9
@krokmaster: I like your second submission, though I feel it needs to do a bit more to impact the game. The ability might suit a high-tech/magic monocle than a fob watch mind you.
@quesobueno123: Haha, certainly surprising; reminds me of Doctor Who series 3 actually. But not what I'm looking for I'm afraid. "Win the game" cards are best saved for the rares.
@Nigeltastic: So Darksteel Relic but costs 1 more and also equips to a creature for giggles? Hmm, unfortunately I don't have any way I can use this. While this set has plenty of artifacts, it's not an artifact set per se. No Metalcraft usage in Quarahal.
August 21, 2014 7:11 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #11
Mind you, that has given me an idea that I could possibly reintroduce Metalcraft in the second or third set, as I don't actually have a returning mechanic in the first...hmmm...
But that's besides the point. FOB WATCH BUSINESS.
Thanks for the effort put into commenting and suggesting ideas by the way for a v. difficult design task, I appreciate it muchly and will express that appreciation with a silly and undeveloped card in my Quarahal design pile! Keep up the good contributions!
August 21, 2014 8:03 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #12
Unwound Keepsake
1
Artifact
Tap ~: Put a wind counter on ~
Tap ~, Remove a wind counter from ~: Untap another target permanent.
On Quarahal, watches not only keep time; they give it back.
August 21, 2014 8:34 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #13
@NobodyPicksBulbasaur: While I'm still not quite sure how tap/untap plays into watches, this is the best submission yet. Reads easy, serves multiple functions, only mild concern of how complex it makes the board (opponents will have to reassess your blockers), and the untap clause luckily plays into one of my mechanics quite well.
August 21, 2014 8:43 p.m.
I suggest you take a visit to the plane of Archester if you want some inspiration on a steampunk Victorian themed set.
August 21, 2014 9:23 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #15
Which part were you unsure of? I can try to explain my design in more detail.
August 21, 2014 9:24 p.m.
sergiodelrio says... #16
Interdimensional Watch 
Artifact
tap, 
: Exile target spell you don't control with time counters on it. If it doesn't have suspend, it gains suspend. X can't be 0.
"There's still plenty of time for that..."
August 21, 2014 9:29 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #17
@sergiodelrio: While the set does have coloured artifacts, you've failed Step 4 of "evergreen keywords only". Suspend is not a Quarahal mechanic I'm afraid. Also, that is one bloody scary fob watch to face.
@NobodyPicksBulbasaur: Well, tapping and untapping of late I don't see on a lot of cards relating to time, per se (though again, I stress it doesn't have to be for this fob watch). Though on reflection, when you look at it from an artifact standpoint, tapping and untapping does often represent clockwork. I think it could work.
Maybe an effect that puts a card on top of your library from somewhere would make a good fob watch? It's either a powerful or useless effect, but it does fit very flavourfully into the "time" aspect (especially lost or regained time), and I'm sure you guys are better devs than me.
August 22, 2014 6:23 a.m.
sergiodelrio says... #18
OK, next try:
Fob Watch
Artifact
: Look at the top card of your library.
Sarcifice Fob Watch: Draw a card
August 22, 2014 7:10 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #19
sergiodelrio: Much better, looking at the top card of the library may be a nice effect. Wih some reworking of costs that might work okay.
Keep it up guys, I'm enjoying the submissions and you've given me several ideas of how I want to make this fob watch card!
August 22, 2014 7:12 a.m.
sergiodelrio says... #20
I gotta tell ya', these are fun to come up with. How about some more of those challenges?
August 22, 2014 7:27 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #21
@sergiodelrio: I'd be very happy for you guys to tackle some other Quarahal challenges, but I have to think them up first! I may do a more lax one later (design a flavourful rare perhaps, and also present the set mechanics so you can try them out). Other challenges I may pose when I have a problem with the set design and.need help with a particular problem, with with this challenge.
I may also ask for development advice, such as costs and things. I think I'm a pretty competent designer, but a lesser developer with a perhaps more-than-basic understanding of costs, but not quite. And I don't know how my environment would actually play out or what the set would need.
August 22, 2014 2:22 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #22
Sergio's latest watch could easily be a rare. 0-mana cantrips that can be used at instant-speed aren't a thing for a reason.
August 22, 2014 5:29 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #23
@NobodyPicksBulbasaur: I did mention "with some retooling" for a reason. That is a development issue. Design, however, is less concerned with costs and whatnot and more the card concepts. That's why I asked for designing a fob watch, not a card that does this and that (the type and specification of costs notwithstanding)
Though yeah, I'm not up for the concept of a 0-mana instant cantrip either.
August 22, 2014 6:28 p.m.
nighthawk101 says... #24
Clockwork Timepiece ()
Artifact (Common)
At the beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on ~.
Sacrifice ~: Look at the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of charge counters on ~, then put one into your hand and the rest on the bottom in any order.
August 22, 2014 7:51 p.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #25
True. I do like the overall design of it. A watch that sees the future, and in a pinch can jump you forward a wee bit. I might like it even as much as my own, which is saying something. I tend to get proud of my creations.
August 22, 2014 9:29 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #26
@NobodyPicksBulbasaur: Oh god, the pride. One might notice my hubris when I keep spoiling card designs as prezzies for other's hard work This is also the guy who is also trying to figure out what colours the boosters (that are totally going on store shelves to be sold to general public) for each set of my hypothetical block. :P I was thinking bronze to start, black for the second and navy for the third, with the set name and details in gold colours throughout.
Speaking of, here's one another design of mine :P For your great feedback and contributions. Again.
August 23, 2014 6:51 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #27
Okay guys, I'm going to need some help again, this time with a bit of development. Thanks to all your submissions, including that of NobodyPicksBulbasaur who I have decided submitted the design that inspired me the most. Here's what the card looks like right now.
Fob Watch (1)
1, T: Put a wind counter on Fob Watch.
1, T, Remove a wind counter from Fob Watch: Untap target permanent you control.
Now what I need is development advice. Two concerns to worry about. First, should this be nonland permanents. I don't want everyone to have access to mana-ramping or fixing (I have another card for the fixing), and this seems powerful when given that purpose; that's why I put the 1 mana into the activation costs.
Also, I worry that with so mnay tap abilities looking to be in my set, I am concerned for board complexity (the Lorwyn/Morningtide dilemma). So, should this card be pushed to uncommon? I think that might be an idea. (I am also concerned for flavour reasons as I don't want a regular scenario being a fob watch sitting round a horde of green beastly creatures)
August 24, 2014 7:09 a.m.
NobodyPicksBulbasaur says... #28
I think it doesn't need the mana cost to activate its first ability. Winding a watch shouldn't need mana. The cost on the second ability is good. A small mana investment activates the "magic" of the watch. It can then be used for fixing in a pinch, but can't be used to ramp.
It's hard to tell without knowing the extent of the shenanigans your tap effects will produce, but I think having an instant-speed untap effect won't be too crazy. Having one of these on the field won't scramble anybody's brain trying to figure out the board, and it doesn't seem good enough to warrant drafting two of them.
August 24, 2014 1:14 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #29
I think at common my untap suite will be the fob watch and Vault Skyward , and that's it really. There will likely be at least one untapper at uncommon ( a blue sky siren creature), but past that not sure. I don't think that amount will make the board horrendous, but tapped creatures are important in this set as it is the basis of the mechanic Wardriven (a pseudo-mechanic that counts the number of tapped creatures you control for effects)
August 24, 2014 1:21 p.m.
Ancient Watch
1
Artifact
T: Put a charge counter on Ancient Watch
T: Remove a Charge counter from Ancient Watch. Untap Ancient Watch
" A perfect piece of clockwork, it has run since the dawn of Quarahal."
August 24, 2014 3:16 p.m.
Ancient Watch
1
Artifact
T: Put a charge counter on Ancient Watch
1: Remove a Charge counter from Ancient Watch. Untap Ancient Watch
" A perfect piece of clockwork, it has run since the dawn of Quarahal."
August 24, 2014 3:23 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #32
@BooJr2001: So, what are these two examples trying to do? Because it looks like they do nothing but put on and remove counters from itself?
August 24, 2014 3:32 p.m.
Fine, new example.
Ancient Watch
0
Artifact
T: Put a charge counter on target artifact
0: Remove a charge counter from Ancient Watch: Untap Ancient watch
""A perfect piece of clockwork, it has run since the dawn of Quarahal."
August 24, 2014 3:43 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #35
Definitely better. Shame I'm not really using charge counters (or time counters, or many other counters) for artifacts, so I don't really have a use for the design. If you can make a design that's less narrow, that'll be good.
Thanks for the multiple contributions by the way. Appreciated.
August 24, 2014 4:25 p.m.
3rd version
Ancient Watch
1
Artifact
1T: Put a clock counter on target artifact
Artifacts with clock counters untap during each untap step.
"A perfect piece of clockwork, it has run since the dawn of Quarahal.
August 24, 2014 4:56 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #37
Ooh, interesting design! I'd say this would make for a cool rare or uncommon rather than an uncommon though, as for common it's a bit strong and I'm not sure if the effect is small enough to represent a small fob watch. I'll have to think on it.
August 24, 2014 5:16 p.m.
sergiodelrio says... #38
BooJr2001's 3rd design is a little too strong for a common I guess. A second ability should sac/remove the watch, to stay in line with wizard's ongoing design scheme.
Maybe, instead of always untapping, the second part could read:
1, sacrifice ancient watch: untap all artifacts with clock counters on them.
or maybe even
1, put ancient watch on top of your library: you may untap all artifacts with clock counters on them, if you do, remove all clock counters from all permanents.
Crazy surprize move :D
Servo_Token says... #2
Hand-stuck Watch
2
Artifact
At the beginning of the first upkeep on each of your turns, choose Upkeep, Draw Step, Main Phase, or End step. There is an additional step or phase of the chosen type.
Could get super broken depending on how many upkeep-esque effects are in the set, but otherwise it's a Howling Mine with optional up or downside, depending on the set.
August 21, 2014 5:53 p.m.