Thursday, January 26, 2017

CCDD 012617—Goblin Upstart

Cool Card Design of the Day
1/25/2017 - In November, I was thinking about how great monstrosity is (because it's a kicker effect that you don't strand in hand waiting for full value). It also makes for a great solution to keeping one-drops relevant later in the game.


A 1/1 for {R} is a bit weak, as is a 3/3 for {3}{R}, but the ability to turn the former into the latter mid-combat or any time you have spare mana… is another story.

I was also thinking how interesting it is that Monstrosity isn't templated like this:
Monstrosity 2—{3}{R} ({3}{R}: If this creature isn't monstrous, put two +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
Wizards very deliberately kept the activation out of the keyword. Which means we can trigger it other ways.


This is a lot like like bloodthirst, but it can be triggered after you cast your creature.

For a little more distinction, it requires a certain threshold of damage be dealt by a single source. This actually creates a little game where you're either trying to get in with a 3/X or pump your Upstart, and doing so could help you meet a higher threshold for a bigger creature like it.

3 comments:

  1. I really like non-Mana monstrosity effects. Monstrosity provides a nice narrative element, like flip cards, and I'd love to see more.

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  2. I love Monstrosity. I think development wise this card is still pretty awful, but I like the effort. I think with the right numbers, a Monstrosity one drop is very dooable.

    That is, if you look at it, basically what Kessig Prowler is, so perhaps you should look a little closer to Kessig Prowler for power level.

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    Replies
    1. This is just a common, but the power level for such has increased dramatically this last year...

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