A new mechanic... FLASH!

[Thranduil]

I've been playing a lot of Magic recently, and it's really giving me a completely new perspective on card design in LotR, which is pretty awesome. For example, this mechanic (for which I've been trying to think of a word for it for a long time and I'm still not happy with):

Flash - Phase: cost (during the specified phase, you may play this card for its flash cost, then immediately discard it).

This, despite sharing a name with a different MTG keyword, is based on Evoke.

Let's try a few examples:

Goblin Ambusher
Minion • Orc
Str: 8
Vit: 2
Sit: 4
Flash - Skirmish: remove a threat.
To play, spot an minion.
When you play this minion, make an Orc strength +3 and damage +1.

Uruk Flanker
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 9
Vit: 2
Sit: 5
Flash - Skirmish: remove .
To play, spot an minion.
When you play this minion, exert a companion.

Throwing Knife
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +1
Flash - Archery: exert a Man.
Bearer must be a Man. May be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
When you play this possession, wound a minion.

•Gandalf, Master of Timing
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 7
Flash - Regroup: add a burden.
To play, spot a card.
When you play Gandalf, discard 2 minions.
Fellowship or Regroup: Exert 3 companions to return Gandalf from your discard pile to your hand.

[FM]

For a MtG keyword, I'd go for Split Second for this one. For the sake of keywording it only, I think something along the lines of "Trick" or, to be simpler, "Effect" (sucks, though).
Also, unless the rules state otherwise, if you have a Gandalf on the table you can't use the ability on this one. So, you'd have to forego having a Gandalf to be able to discard minions during the regroup phase? Or the rules would be bended?
And I think some of these cards need some sort of enforcement OR added cost. I see no reason why ANY Shadow wouldn't want to play Flanker, or ANY Fellowship that wouldn't want to play Gandalf.

[Thranduil]

Also, unless the rules state otherwise, if you have a Gandalf on the table you can't use the ability on this one. So, you'd have to forego having a Gandalf to be able to discard minions during the regroup phase? Or the rules would be bended?

No, I intended for this Gandalf to be un-flashable if you have Gandalf in play already. This is one of the reason's for his other ability; so you can flash him, then play him.

And I think some of these cards need some sort of enforcement OR added cost. I see no reason why ANY Shadow wouldn't want to play Flanker, or ANY Fellowship that wouldn't want to play Gandalf.

Most of them have a "To play, spot a..." clause which is still required in order to use flash (because the keyword plays the cards before discarding them). Gandalf doesn't, though perhaps he should... Gandalf is always splashable though...

Thranduil

[FM]

Yes, but think about it, how broken he could be. I'm not particularly fond of a card which, basically, I see no reason why ANY deck, focusing on ANY strategy, wouldn't want to play a full set (specially in LotR, when there's no such thing as mana issues to balance it out). You get to discard 10 minions during regroup phases (specially since you can play multiples at once), AND keep a Gandalf, a 7,4,7 companion, to boot. Even the Evoke creatures have drawbacks, of course, you get to have their effect earlier (again, an issue in LotR, since it doesn't have "twilight development", you just add it and that's it), but you lose the body attached, and most evoke creatures will only be evoked in a pinch, or when you have a way to get them back (which usually requires ANOTHER card).

[SomeRandomDude]

Yeah, 1 copy of Gandy = discard 4 minions in the regroup for 2 exertions, can you say double?

[sickofpalantirs]

yeah gandy needs enforcement, maybe discard a spell to replay him? or add burdens...IDK

[Thranduil]

Yeah, sorry FM I completely missed your point on Gandalf!

I have now changed him so he hopefully is more balanced.

Thranduil

[FM]

I think he is better now. However, I still think Flash should have a cost, albeit a greatly reduced one, or even an alternative one (removing threats, adding burdens, etc).

[Thranduil]

I think he is better now. However, I still think Flash should have a cost, albeit a greatly reduced one, or even an alternative one (removing threats, adding burdens, etc).

My problem was that LotR always assigns abilities to specific phases and I wasn't sure whether I wanted to have 2 sub categories associated with a single keyword; so I opted to put any extra cost required in the game text of the card instead. It could just as easily work the other way, though, if you think it's clearer.

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

Maybe do something simple like this (using the Flanker and Master of Timing as examples):

Flash - Skirmish: .

Flash - Regroup: Add a burden.

Then it's worded somewhat like followers. For the first, you can play it during the skirmish phase by paying , and for the second, you can play it during regroup by adding a burden. Seems simple enough to me....

[Thranduil]

Maybe do something simple like this (using the Flanker and Master of Timing as examples):

Flash - Skirmish: .

Flash - Regroup: Add a burden.

Then it's worded somewhat like followers. For the first, you can play it during the skirmish phase by paying , and for the second, you can play it during regroup by adding a burden. Seems simple enough to me....

Absolutely fair enough and I might do it, though it does make the Flanker subtly different - currently you have to remove to exert a guy when you play it as a normal minion, but with the updated wording you would only remove during the skirmish phase.

Thranduil

[FM]

Not really, you'd remove 2 in the skirmish phase to PLAY him, and THEN, when you play him, remove 2 more.

[SomeRandomDude]

I think having the ability regular come into play- exert with no twilight cost would be sweet if you up the cost of the minion to 4.

[Thranduil]

I've gone for a rejig of the keyword and a change of focus on the cards. Check 'em out! Notice that their abilities are now mandatory, just like most events.

Thranduil

[FM]

Wow, Ambusher seems really strong. Also, unrelated issue, but if you have been playing a lot of MtG lately, how came I don't have you on MSN so we can play on MWS? You DO play on MWS< right?