MTG Godly Ability Word
Custom Cards forum
Posted on May 18, 2018, 4:44 p.m. by tybonel13
Hello everyone! I have recently began working on a 'god' themed set different but similar to Theros. I have some of the idea done and am working on some of the keywords. What I'm asking is for a word to use for the gods' connection to reality. It would be a keyword used with the devotion in the Theros block but I can't think of a good word for it. Here is an example of how it'd be used:
Phenax, God of Deception
3UB
Legendary Enchantment Creature, God
Indestructible
As long as your devotion to blue and black is less than seven, Phenax isn't a creature.
Creatures you control have "T: Target player puts the top X cards of their library into their graveyard, where X is this creature's toughness."
4 / 7
To
Phenax, God of Deception
3UB
Legendary Enchantment Creature, God
Indestructible
Keyword 7- As long as your devotion to blue and black is less than seven, Phenax isn't a creature.
Creatures you control have "T: Target player puts the top X cards of their library into their graveyard, where X is this creature's toughness."
4 / 7
I was thinking it would be more like eminence. It would have part of it as the keyword ability (Name and modifying number) and then have another part on the other side. The way I was thinking was name and number on the left and more detail/specifications on the right. I will deeply think about it. Thanks for your suggestion!
May 18, 2018 5:16 p.m.
That would make sense, and would likely work well, though there are some things I would like to help clarify.
Technically, terms like Eminence, Landfall, Revolt, etc. are ability words pursuant to Rule 207.2c, rather than Rule 702 keywords. Ability words are essentially glorified reminder text, helping easily identify actions that are commonplace in a given set. Hence the words being italicised, which is something you should remember to do should you take this route.
Because it is not a keyword ability, you will not need to place a number in the italicised text before the dash.
May 18, 2018 5:38 p.m.
I like the feel of Reverence so I think I'll do that or a spin off of it like Revered.
May 19, 2018 5:23 p.m.
Do you really want your gods to only trigger off devotion and not something like the Amonkhet gods? I'd stick with writing it out. Good Luck!
May 29, 2018 10:35 p.m.
Ok, I know it's been awhile but I'm back to clear up some things. First off I was using devotion as an example, this ability has nothing to do with devotion. Secondarily, I am going with Revered unless I find a word that feels better. Finaly i will provide an example card to clear up any other miscommunications. All that is below is the card, though what's enclosed in !'s is to be italicized.
Vofriot, Human's God
[3][W][W]
Legendary Enchantment Creature - God
Indestructible
!Revered! - As long as you control seven or fewer humans, Vofriot isn't a creature.
Humans you control get +1/+1. As long as Vofriot is a creature, humans you control instead get +2/+2 and have vigilance.
[1][W]: Create a 1/1 white human creature token.
[5/5]
Caerwyn says... #2
I do not think this would work well as a keyword from a card design stance--there's too much information to be conveniently conveyed. Generally, there are three "slots" used by keywords--the keyword itself (see any keyword), the modifying number (i.e. Devour), and the mana cost required (i.e. Cycling).
While there are two keywords that can be a bit more wordy, Hexproof and Protection, both are (or at least were) evergreen keywords, making them easily accessible despite the extended sentences.
A devotion-based keyword would use more than those three slots and would not be commonly used enough to justify an exception to the general rule--it would have to read Keyword Blue and Black 7, or something of the like. That starts to look a bit funny, and ultimately is not saving very much space off the original rules text.
That said, I don't want to leave without an answer to your original question--"Reverence" would be what I would use.
May 18, 2018 5:05 p.m.