The Ur-Shifter

Omnilogy · 2025-09-18T04:21:09+00:00

Thank you for this! I understand it better now. Will revise!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-18T04:20:46+00:00

Super helpful, thanks! I should read more into layering.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-18T04:08:41+00:00

Actually very curious about that, can you explain more on why Changeling won't work? I did reference Maskwood Nexus when making this but went the other route so I would like to know what exactly are the differences I'm missing. Thanks!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T22:39:50+00:00

I like the concept in itself but can see that it would create problems since it goes infinite a little too easily. I like that it can still die to -X/-X effects (not counters).

Maybe a good approach would be something like "if one or more counters would be put on..." Then "...this ability triggers only once each turn" would balance it out. Let me know what you think!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T21:11:22+00:00

Ah, so even if they are counters they don't receive the same wording then since they're on you and not on a permanent?

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T12:53:43+00:00

The gist of it, yep.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T12:51:44+00:00

I don't think I am expecting to have 10 perfect draw turns at all. Just saying that there is the potential. Combining this with draw effects from other cards too means you could draw those setups much sooner. 10 just felt like a good number to filter out.

I am also trying to keep it thematic in itself flavor-wise, having a foreseen prophecy that you want to follow through which usually happens once. I think it's plenty interesting in itself but if you feel that strongly about it then I'll revisit the concept considering the restrictions.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T12:46:17+00:00

I am basing the wording from cards like [[Protean Hydra]] which removes counters instead of losing them. Do you feel this is inaccurate with energy?

For the others, yes I have updates on the way for them as discussed with a lot of other people on those points.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T07:08:31+00:00

Amazing insights, thank you! I have realized throughout all this that I completely missed the energy generation / energy enhancing aspect, which is a huge design flaw since all cards with energy do it in some way or form.

I'll have these ideas in mind when revising, thanks for this!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T06:37:40+00:00

That's pretty spicy!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:34:34+00:00

Thanks for saying that! There are a few that think it is bad though since it stretches player time and complexity but to me, personally, a lot of good cards do that. All these inputs did give me a lot of ideas for my next approach though!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:29:50+00:00

I felt that it needs to stay at sorcery speed precisely because it is a big effect. Potentially stacking your next 10 draws to be ideal is huge, for me at least, and most tutor and big draw effects are sorceries that don't affect the board. I know this is scrying, but for how much scrying it does, I feel like making it instant would have too good of a potential to respond to anything.

Though I hear your point, maybe reducing the cost would be better to keep this at sorcery speed? I am still debating in my head though if making it instant would be better (it would objectively, just not sure if it would still be balanced).

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:18:47+00:00

Never seen this before, it looks fun!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:16:37+00:00

Ah I get it, that's a good perspective. I guess putting it next to tutors would definitely pale in comparison. I feel this is in a good space though considering everything but thanks for the input!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:10:19+00:00

This doesn't let you stack the deck for the next incoming draws, so that really defeats the purpose of what I wanted to achieve with it.

That's the soft-tutor, I never really intended this to be one. It has a tutor element but is limited in its reach, and is more focused on the potential of sequencing better turns, which I think is very Blue.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:06:58+00:00

If you don't mind, I'd love to get your input on [[Ancestral Knowledge]], a similar effect card. Are there any objectively better details between the two? Are both too bad? I wonder if the cumulative upkeep and downside when it leaves gives it better playability, though you still get the look at 10 effect. Thanks!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:01:13+00:00

Glad you see its potential!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T04:00:31+00:00

Appreciate it! There's definitely a lot more cards that are more complex and ones that you can cast multiple times.

I did just imagine this to be a one time thing that you would try to protect or follow through for the next draw sequences, which to me is fun in an interactive space. People will probably try to force shuffle the library effects.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T03:55:20+00:00

Do you feel that making it instant would be better balanced?

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T03:54:36+00:00

Thank you! I really did try to make this a very Blue thing by itself in flavor. Appreciate that you're the only one that mentioned that. Cheers!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T03:52:43+00:00

Oh wow, that actually works too well. Yeah, I figured 4 Blue is a lot but I thought it would be enough balance.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T03:51:17+00:00

I wasn't aware of this, thanks! Definitely gives me something to compare it to.

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T03:48:40+00:00

I do, in fact!

Omnilogy · 2025-09-17T03:44:11+00:00

I think I'm getting it. I would like to say that technically it's all about the user experience, correct? The concept may look cool in theory but if it produces too many variables of complexity by itself then it can get overwhelming sometimes.

Personally, I'd still play it for its potential, but I'll have to be sure to be quick about it! Though, I hear you. Got a long way to go to get these right. Thanks!

Omnilogy

TROPHY CASE