The transparency report is intriguing. Mana Droplet was the only submission in the top ten to have the score spread concentrated on 4, rather than 3 - it's no wonder that he won! Granted, I'm curious why that was, and the only reason I can posit is that, well, the Droplet was a cool cutie. I wasn't aware that folks had such a thing for Elemental Mage, and it's surprising that he would have no - none! - 1 votes for a card that I, at least, found very powerful. While it's a wonderful card, I'm not sure that the difference between the Droplet and the other finalists was so huge, or that it had some special quality, that it merited fewer 1 votes. The closest other card to that achievement was Bloodmefist's Animated Defender, with just two 1 votes, which I also thought was quite powerful and flavorful - maybe there's a common thread?
Also, although CursedParrot's Cosmic Researcher ate a normal amount of 1 votes in the first round, it got many more, relatively speaking, during the finals. Perhaps folks felt that it was a good card, but too bland compared to the other finalists? It also garnered more 5 votes than the cards next to it, though - it held the most even score distribution in the finals, but by virtue of that was also the most polarizing card, for reasons I can't rightly guess. Hyperorange's Arcane Pact also had a normal amount of 1 votes initially, but relatively more during the finals. However, it didn't also gain the equal number of 5 votes then, but rather had a mode of 2. I can only suppose that people felt Spell Damage +2 for 1 mana was too powerful or out of character for Warlock, since the card had such neat flavor, and voted more harshly in the finals.
I do wish that these competitions' home pages would have a brief on the ranking system, to help homogenize ideas towards it. Just a few sentences, even, to make voters aware of possible reasons for voting (flavor, power level, usefulness, etc.) and help them organize their thoughts - it doesn't have to be official guidelines for what makes a card good or bad, though I wouldn't oppose that. That's a lot for someone who's only participated in two of these to say, but I do think it would help guide participants' thoughts, so I run my gab.
Anywho. If you can't tell, I had a bit too much free time this morning and spent a bit too long wondering about this stuff, when the oddities are likely not due to much at all. I was happy to see that I almost made it in this time, so anyway, I'll continue blastin'. Watch out!
The report is very interesting, and it's always good to spend some time on it to get an idea about how people vote on cards. I think cute artwork done with a good flavor can score you some serious points. Cute has to be done right though, and not feel forced. The artwork for Mana Droplet I had found months ago, and it was just sitting in a folder waiting to be made into the perfect card. With the theme of Spell Damage in mind, I came across him in my files and the card basically made itself.
Another stand out cutie that won it all is Felwing Hatchling by MathU from 1.06.
Good artwork really has quite an impact on the card too. A really cool card can be ruined by bad artwork.
XarkkalServant of Illidan 9101321 PostsJoined 03/29/2019
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago
I've already rescinded the idea of me ever winning one of these weeks. I'm just happy to get into the finals, that's enough of a win for me! Best of luck to all the other finalists as well! Good batch of finalists this week, the winner could really go to anyone.
First of all, I'm really pissed that someone basically copied my card (Shard Mage) with their Orderkeeper Henley. It isn't exactly the same, but the idea of using unspent mana crystals was unique and I find it suspicious that someone should have come up with it by coincidence. Even if that was the case, can't people check the already submitted cards before they enter the competition? With no way to tell which one got submitted first, we'll both suffer now (I'm not necessarily saying my take is better, mind you).
Show Spoiler
Rant over. My favorites are First Arcanist Thalyssra, Mana Droplet, Nerubian Ritualist and Imbue Energy. Those are my 5 star votes, but I gave lots of 4 stars as well. Good luck to everyone!
Unfortunately I think it's unavoidable having similar ideas being submitted. I'm honestly surprised it doesn't happen more often.
I do wish more people checked the thread and voted on cards before submitting, but I understand that people have busy lives and might not be able to do that. They could make it a requirement to vote on cards before being able to submit an entry, but I feel that would just turn people away and reduce the number of entries each week.
As for the two cards, I actually voted yours 4 stars and the other one 1 star. I think the effect as an aura is problematic (even on a legendary), and it works much better as a battlecry like you designed it to be. Also, the other card left the "s" off of "Crystals".
So there being multiple "mana crystal" effect cards didn't effect the vote that I gave both of these cards. Yours was the better of the two, and my votes reflected that.
My first attempt at a card design entry. I always loved the fairy tale, and I thought it would be fun to be able to generate tons of Coins.
Welcome! I hope you've been enjoying designing your first card! I like the idea. The wording is a little off though. "Gain" isn't the correct term that is used when a card generates a coin. Look at Umbral Skulker and Tomb Pillager as examples. "Add to your hand" is the phrase you're looking for.
I'd suggest changing the text to "Add a Coin to your hand for each point of Spell Damage you have."
As for balancing, since the card is conditional to having Spell Damage, I think you can drop the mana cost to 2 and make it a Rare. Then if it's played without spell damage, it's at least a vanilla 2 mana minion.
The Watermark is another thing I would look at. Classic set is generally considered a bad watermark choice, and I know many people will dock stars for that. I'd suggest choosing a custom watermark for this one. There is a year of the phoenix watermark that works really well.
XarkkalServant of Illidan 9101321 PostsJoined 03/29/2019
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago
Yeah no major complaints since it was free, it's just Illidan is such a cool character with some amazing lore, having him speaking like he was reading "'twas the night before Christmas" is really out of character. It doesn't ruin Illidan, but this is easily the worst thing Illidan has ever been a part of.
Changed the wording to say improved by Spell Damage instead of affected by Spell Damage and increased the mana by 1 because of the Battlecry targeting enemies. Feel like where it is now is a strong work towards card that would have to utilize Spell Damage minions (which are normally very weak) towards a great payoff. Thoughts on anything needing to be changed before submitting would be greatly apprecaited.
My only suggestion would be to think about changing it to all spells you played this game. This would get easily out of control in a mirror match, and would feel really bad for your opponent to have their spells that they played improved with spell damage thrown back in their face. If you do all spells instead of your spells, I would suggest making targets random instead of only enemies.
XarkkalServant of Illidan 9101321 PostsJoined 03/29/2019
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago
This has been a new thing I've been doing this expansion because I'm just so tired of so many decks, and sitting there watching their BS turns play out. So when I know I'm going to lose, I just leave the game open on my phone and put it in my pocket so my opponent gets roped on my last turn.
I usually say something like "yeah, you have fun with that buddy" under my breath as I just leave them to their BS. I don't want to grant them the satisfaction of me conceding so they can start a new match.
@ anchorm4n: Maybe something like this? I agree the effect doesn't need to be legendary. It doesn't stack (twice doesn't become thrice) so having two just makes it more consistent. It also isn't that powerful and hard to pull off; something like this is probably destined to be meme-y which is okay. I lowered the mana to 5 since with the randomness it can't be abused as easily. Thanks for the feedback! :)
I don't think this needs "(targets chosen randomly)" or "(targets enemies if possible)". Any targetable spell would just recast at the original target already chosen by the player. The same way Electra Stormsurge works.
But if you do put any text in parenthesis, make sure to make it italic.
I like the card better as a Legendary. I think you should buff it's health if it's a Legendary so it can have a chance to survive and be a game ender. Maybe follow the statline of Kael'thas Sunstrider.
Would one of the mods let me know if this counts for this week's theme (since it doesn't actually give Spell Damage)?
No one else is online at the moment to discuss the matter, but someone will get back to you as soon as possible :)
I, for one, am willing to let it slide, but maybe I'm becoming too lenient in my old age lol. Also, assuming you get the go-ahead, you'll have to force-bold the "-2" part to make it look right.
I'm no moderator, but I for one think it fits the theme. The theme states "You must create a card which has or synergises with Spell Damage". Negative Spell Damage is still synergy with Spell Damage.
XarkkalServant of Illidan 9101321 PostsJoined 03/29/2019
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago
Nice that it is free, but honestly the whole Felfire Festival and adventure seem very underwhelming compared to the mid-expansion events we got during the year of the Dragon.
The adventure I'm sure will be fun and it will be nice to have a break from the ladder grind, but I was really hoping for something that would help shake up this unbelievably stale meta.
Been having no issues beating these with Highlander Hunter. Challenges don't feel very challenging. But, meh, free content!
-"you're picking the final theme for the first season"
No pressure, right? Hopefully my theme will be a fun way to end the season!
The report is very interesting, and it's always good to spend some time on it to get an idea about how people vote on cards. I think cute artwork done with a good flavor can score you some serious points. Cute has to be done right though, and not feel forced. The artwork for Mana Droplet I had found months ago, and it was just sitting in a folder waiting to be made into the perfect card. With the theme of Spell Damage in mind, I came across him in my files and the card basically made itself.
Another stand out cutie that won it all is Felwing Hatchling by MathU from 1.06.
Good artwork really has quite an impact on the card too. A really cool card can be ruined by bad artwork.
Here's my first idea. I'll come back and get some feedback up for others in a few hours. Have to get the little one to bed first.
I'm thinking this might need to be 4 mana, or drop the Rush to keep it at 3 mana.
Fun fun!
Tried to not think too hard about balancing on this, and picked the first stat line that came to my head haha.
Holy shit! All it took was giving up all hope! Thanks everyone for the votes for my card! :
I've already rescinded the idea of me ever winning one of these weeks. I'm just happy to get into the finals, that's enough of a win for me! Best of luck to all the other finalists as well! Good batch of finalists this week, the winner could really go to anyone.
I'm really enjoying winning games on turn 4 with Discolock in Wild.
Unfortunately I think it's unavoidable having similar ideas being submitted. I'm honestly surprised it doesn't happen more often.
I do wish more people checked the thread and voted on cards before submitting, but I understand that people have busy lives and might not be able to do that. They could make it a requirement to vote on cards before being able to submit an entry, but I feel that would just turn people away and reduce the number of entries each week.
As for the two cards, I actually voted yours 4 stars and the other one 1 star. I think the effect as an aura is problematic (even on a legendary), and it works much better as a battlecry like you designed it to be. Also, the other card left the "s" off of "Crystals".
So there being multiple "mana crystal" effect cards didn't effect the vote that I gave both of these cards. Yours was the better of the two, and my votes reflected that.
Welcome! I hope you've been enjoying designing your first card! I like the idea. The wording is a little off though. "Gain" isn't the correct term that is used when a card generates a coin. Look at Umbral Skulker and Tomb Pillager as examples. "Add to your hand" is the phrase you're looking for.
I'd suggest changing the text to "Add a Coin to your hand for each point of Spell Damage you have."
As for balancing, since the card is conditional to having Spell Damage, I think you can drop the mana cost to 2 and make it a Rare. Then if it's played without spell damage, it's at least a vanilla 2 mana minion.
The Watermark is another thing I would look at. Classic set is generally considered a bad watermark choice, and I know many people will dock stars for that. I'd suggest choosing a custom watermark for this one. There is a year of the phoenix watermark that works really well.
Overall, great job on your first attempt!
Unleash the new Odd DH onto Wild
Yeah no major complaints since it was free, it's just Illidan is such a cool character with some amazing lore, having him speaking like he was reading "'twas the night before Christmas" is really out of character. It doesn't ruin Illidan, but this is easily the worst thing Illidan has ever been a part of.
My only suggestion would be to think about changing it to all spells you played this game. This would get easily out of control in a mirror match, and would feel really bad for your opponent to have their spells that they played improved with spell damage thrown back in their face. If you do all spells instead of your spells, I would suggest making targets random instead of only enemies.
This has been a new thing I've been doing this expansion because I'm just so tired of so many decks, and sitting there watching their BS turns play out. So when I know I'm going to lose, I just leave the game open on my phone and put it in my pocket so my opponent gets roped on my last turn.
I usually say something like "yeah, you have fun with that buddy" under my breath as I just leave them to their BS. I don't want to grant them the satisfaction of me conceding so they can start a new match.
I love this thread
I don't think this needs "(targets chosen randomly)" or "(targets enemies if possible)". Any targetable spell would just recast at the original target already chosen by the player. The same way Electra Stormsurge works.
But if you do put any text in parenthesis, make sure to make it italic.
I like the card better as a Legendary. I think you should buff it's health if it's a Legendary so it can have a chance to survive and be a game ender. Maybe follow the statline of Kael'thas Sunstrider.
I'm no moderator, but I for one think it fits the theme. The theme states "You must create a card which has or synergises with Spell Damage". Negative Spell Damage is still synergy with Spell Damage.
I just know I can't wait to finish the last two fights of the adventure so I don't have to listen to "poetry-beat Illidan" anymore.
This card should have been nerfed in the first round of nerfs. Can't believe it took them 4 nerfs to finally get this one.
Nice that it is free, but honestly the whole Felfire Festival and adventure seem very underwhelming compared to the mid-expansion events we got during the year of the Dragon.
The adventure I'm sure will be fun and it will be nice to have a break from the ladder grind, but I was really hoping for something that would help shake up this unbelievably stale meta.