Ingenious Machinist (Is this balanced?)
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Feb. 11, 2021, 3:07 p.m. by Benthehen333
This is another card for my custom set, I just need some input on it, I'm not quite sure if it's balanced or not.
gavriel1136 says... #3
Last note for why this bothers me. A vehicle deck usually plays thusly: one or two creatures, plus a vehicle that isn't a creature until you need it to be. With this card, it's feast or famine. Either it's out, so your normal creatures are worthless, or it dies, potentially losing all your (permanently creatures) vehicles in a wipe. If they aren't wiped, you just... can't crew them, since why would you have non vehicle creatures out?
It seems to be struggling against what a vehicle deck normally does. I like the idea of giving white more efficient ways to use vehicles. just might not be it.
February 11, 2021 3:26 p.m.
Benthehen333 says... #4
What if I changed it so it said Vehicles you control are creatures, but only on your turn, so they can't be wiped except at instant speed? I think that would help.
February 11, 2021 3:29 p.m.
Benthehen333 says... #5
Ok, I took your suggestions into consideration and came up with this for the ability:
'As long as it's your turn, creatures you control have "{T}: target Vehicle you control becomes an artifact creature until end of turn."'
February 11, 2021 3:33 p.m.
gavriel1136 says... #6
I think that fits a better for what you're going for.
February 11, 2021 4:27 p.m.
Omniscience_is_life says... #7
I hate to say it, but it should probably make you loot/rummage rather than just straight-up draw... seems more White at this point to not be able to get legit card advantage. It'd still be a good card though, Quicksmith Genius sees play after all.
February 11, 2021 4:38 p.m.
Omniscience_is_life says... #8
I love the card though, really hope they print something like it soon! Maybe if we @ WotC enough lol
February 11, 2021 4:39 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #9
Omniscience_is_life The Omenkeel asks if it's a joke to you - though it's not white it is veichle support at a low cmc.
February 11, 2021 8:42 p.m. Edited.
Omniscience_is_life says... #10
Yes. That card is a joke. Fuck The Omenkeel .
February 11, 2021 8:45 p.m.
Omniscience_is_life says... #11
Ok lol sorry you're right ofc RNR_Gaming, I did forget about that card :3
February 11, 2021 8:46 p.m.
RealLifeBear says... #12
what about:
creatures you control may crew vehicles as though they had enough power to crew it.
you're still crewing and interacting with vehicles' core mechanic, but opening up the cards you can play around/
February 12, 2021 3:28 a.m.
Benthehen333 says... #13
Thanks for all the suggestions guys! RealLifeBear - I like that idea, it's just what I had but better worded. I'll switch it.
February 12, 2021 10:41 a.m.
RealLifeBear says... #14
Sweet! If you do use that wording and are going to print it out / play with it, I would suggest adding a reminder text like (this does not change the creatures power, only how it crews vehicles)
if you want to restrict it more you can specify "creatures you control" in the text, so "non-token creatures you control","white creatures you control" or something like that. just note the more specific it gets the more confusing it is to keep track of.
best of luck!
gavriel1136 says... #2
This seems kinda broken. I don't like the idea of completely subverting Crew costs, since that seems to be the entire point of Vehicles. The restriction of not being able to crew with your creatures seems unusual as well.
If you're open to suggestions, I would recommend you switch it to something that can benefit vehicles without disregarding a core concept for them. For example, if the ability read "This creature can crew any number of vehicles, and does not tap while crewing". or something like that, then you still have to reach the total power of whatever the crew cost is, without dropping crazy-efficient vehicles down with no restrictions.
Not tapping is also a pseudo-White thing, thanks to vigilance, plus the Machinist's low power means that the really dangerous vehicles still require more creatures to function.
February 11, 2021 3:25 p.m.