Cool Card Design of the Day9/19/2017 - I found this art and wanted to play with the idea of a flash blocker that could only be played as a surprise blocker.
That ends up playing like a green version of "destroy target attacking creature with toughness 4 or less" with a conditional free 2/2. I'm kind of okay with that, but it's hard to justify this design over the much simpler:
This version can be played more aggressively but can't surprise-block flying or unblockable creatures. Which means it's both a lot less text and a lot less confusing.
Note how different this is from Briarpack Alpha which can grow any creature: This +2/+2 is only applicable on defense (unless you give Clanodon haste) and can only change the combat math for one attacker, rather than two. Because it only grows itself, we don't even have to add a condition like "if it blocks" to get the same gameplay incentive of the original design.
The only downside I see is it strongly discouraging new players from just casting it as a bear when that is better. We can give the pump ability more utility at the cost of further blurring the identity:
ReplyDeleteStalking Clanodon
1G
Creature - Dinosaur - Uncommon
Haste, Flash
When ~ enters the battlefield, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
2/2
I'm not convinced that card's better for new players. They have to choose between haste and flash and the card doesn't have a clear purpose. The flash-only version is lenticular in that it can be played as a vanilla bear but it often won't. That does push new players to play it worse, but it also gives them the learning moment that it's better to have the bear when your hand is aggro or your mana-screwed. Kavu Titan is an applicable lesson, though; I'm just not sure which is more important.
DeleteStalking Cerodon 1G
ReplyDeleteCreature - Dinosaur (U)
Flash
Stalking Cerodon can only be cast when you or a Planeswalker you control is being attacked.
4/3
Better looking P/T to cost ratio, less ambiguous timing decisions.
You don't have to block with it, but you do have to be attacked. Curiously, that makes it feel more white or black to me.
DeleteStalking Cerodon {1}{WB}
Creature - Dinosaur (U)
Flash
Stalking Cerodon can only be cast if you've lost life this turn.
4/3