Goblin Software Engineer
Custom Cards forum
Posted on March 25, 2019, 9:48 p.m. by MontaukMonster
Goblin Software Engineer
R
Creature - Goblin Engineer
1R: Choose an advertisement you own from outside the game. Target player shuffles it into his/her library. Treat this as a card token.
1/1
rules clarification
Normally a token ceases to exist when it changes zones. However, a card token moving from an invisible zone to another invisible zone (from library to hand or into a new zone face-down) persists in the new zone.
I am all for people making custom cards for evaluation. However, in the future, if you are going to post multiple cards in rapid succession, it is a good idea to post all such cards in the same thread. Not only does this help reduce forum clutter, it also ensures the cards are evaluated in context.
To evaluate this card, this card would not work, even in an unset. Fundamental to the workings of Magic is the standard card back. This is what allows hidden zones to properly function, and ensures players can shuffle their libraries randomly. In fact, this is such a key component to the game that the current Magic Card back has a number of layovers from Alpha--it uses the old blue Magic logo, rather than today's gold; it has stray pen marks accidentally left in the "Deckmaster" box; it still says TM, though Magic has been registered with the PTO for aeons.
Having an advertisement card would ruin this completely, as it has a different card backing.
Further, you have not set rules conditions for putting said token into play. You also have only defined this rule in terms of moving from hidden zones to other hidden zones, which is not particularly helpful either.
There's also no real reason for this to be in Red. Red generally creates tokens that are sacrificed at the end of turn; a card that gives tokens even more staying power seems a huge bend of the colour pie.
I don't see any way to salvage this card--it just has too many issues that run contrary to Magic's fundamental principles.
March 26, 2019 10:49 a.m.
MontaukMonster says... #4
Most players run sleeves. Put the ad in a sleeve in front of another card.
If not using sleeves find a junk common and write "buy my crap" on it.
I card token is exactly that: a token card. It has no type, no mana cost, nothing. It's just a card. You can ditch it to a Merfolk Looter , gain life from Ivory Tower and that's about it. There is no way of putting it into play.
This card is incredibly obnoxious. Used on an opponent, late in the game you're hoping to topdeck something useful and instead you draw a coupon for a free A/C check (freon not included). Use it on yourself after you been hit by Brain Freeze and you can't lose.
As for it being red, it 'felt' like a goblin to me. The chaotic nature of the ability fits in red, no other reason.
March 26, 2019 1:17 p.m.
Understanding this ability better, I stand by my dislike of it. First, as written, forcing someone to use sleeves or make their own proxies is bad design.
You could make it a bit better by having dedicated “card tokens”, akin to the transform card tokens. There’s no need to bring the advertisement cards in. But, even that is problematic, as anyone who has played in a Limited set with transform cards knows. Transform, however, is a mechanic with enough flavour, utility, and potential to be worth the difficulties. This, however, does not fill as complex a design space and has little purpose other than being annoying to the other player.
March 26, 2019 1:42 p.m.
Don't some ad cards have normal backs? I'm pretty sure I've seen them before while drafting.
PlatinumOne says... #2
please stop cluttering the forum space with your custom cards that look like they belong in an "un" set...
March 26, 2019 12:53 a.m.