It came to me in a dream...
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Aug. 9, 2015, 11:02 a.m. by Servo_Token
So as most of you i'm sure have experienced, I had an MTG Related dream last night. This is one of the cards that I played, and I thought that the mechanic was super interesting. I wanted to get some opinions on it.
Basically it's a different take on a modal spell wherein you can pay more to instead of play the first ability, use the second. So here you either get a Gitaxian Probe or a double Electrolyze with no draw. You need to pay the initial cost regardless, but can also tack on the additional cost while the spell is on the stack. IF i'm right, you can also change modes while it is on the stack, though I may not understand that properly.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #3
Exile could be one more as VA said, but it looks fun :)
August 9, 2015 11:38 a.m.
filledelanuit says... #4
VampireArmy it does cost 3. The activated ability cannot be activated except while it is on the stack.
There should be a lot more precise wording on the ability because it will easily confuse people.
August 9, 2015 11:38 a.m.
VampireArmy says... #5
lordoftheshadows was talking about the exile cost specifically. as in something like 
: text
August 9, 2015 11:41 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #6
Shadows, I believe that he meant that the activation should cost one more. Three mana for four damage divided how you wish is pretty powerful against a multitude of decks, especially if you can cantrip it instead if needed.
Aaaaaaand, ninja'd.
August 9, 2015 11:41 a.m. Edited.
Programmer_112 says... #8
So, the ability should say "activate this ability only while ~ is on the stack". Also, the way it's worded, the spell can't be countered if the second ability is chosen. Is this correct?
August 9, 2015 11:58 a.m.
Tyrant-Thanatos says... #9
It could be Stifled but not say, Negated. So yes, most counterspells would be ineffective if the activated ability were used.
August 9, 2015 12:04 p.m.
Programmer_112 says... #10
Also, depending on how to want Stifle effects to interact with the ability, the exiling might need to be a part of the resolution.
August 9, 2015 12:12 p.m.
Not to poopoo the design, but how is this not just done easier as a Kicker spell?
August 9, 2015 12:45 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #12
Because it's a replacement effect, not a combined effect. So kicker would be awkward on the card and with the exiling pard.
August 9, 2015 1:19 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #13
By the rules of the game the exile ability works as intended. It says "exile this spell" not "exile this card from your hand" so it only functions while it is a spell ie. on the stack.
That being said, as is obvious from the number of people who commented that it should be worded differently, the templating for this ability is going to be difficult. I'm not really a fan of the mechanic as shown in this card. It appears to be a split card with a lot more versatility and the last thing split cards need is more versatility.
August 9, 2015 1:37 p.m.
Programmer_112 says... #14
Of course the ability only works on the stack, but activated abilities on the stack are weird enough that they normally have a reminder (see Lightning Storm)
August 9, 2015 1:44 p.m.
The card would be much simpler if it was just a spell with Kicker.
Oracle's Foresight 
Sorcery
Kicker
Look at target players hand.
Draw a card.
If the kicker cost was paid, ~ deals 4 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures or players. Then if ~ would be put into the graveyard, exile it.
Sure, this doesn't get around cards like Stifle, but it just seems unnecessarily complex for the sake of being complex.
August 9, 2015 7:15 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #16
The spell would function completely differently if it was simply a kicker. You would get both effects instead of choosing one or the other, or the wording would be needlessly complex. The point of exiling it isn't to keep it from going to the graveyard. Exiling from the stack is the simplest way to say "you don't get the original effect".
August 9, 2015 7:37 p.m.
Programmer_112 says... #17
Or you can add "instead" to the kicker text. Very common (Rite of Replication does this).
August 9, 2015 9:50 p.m.
Programmer_112 says... #18
Then again, most mechanics are basically some formulation of Kicker, so this is still fine.
August 9, 2015 9:51 p.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #19
JWiley129 But that card does BOTH effects. The design that junk made does ONE of these effects.
VampireArmy says... #2
Should't that exile cost be at least 3? I mean even Exquisite Firecraft cost 3 and it doesn't let you split the damage
August 9, 2015 11:07 a.m.