The Shmod Forum

Aarikku · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:42 am Post subject: Guidelines for Cards

Lemme lay down some pointers.

1) ATK/DEF LEVELS

If your monster has a self-destruction effect or other drawback, ignore these:

Level One monsters cannot have more than 1900 ATK.
Level Two monsters cannot have more than 2600 ATK.
Level Three monsters, unless they have any sort of limitation, should not have more than 3400 ATK.
Level Four monsters should not have more than 4500 ATK. In fact, 3000-ATK monsters with really good effects make really good Level Fours.

The Level Three rule is broken ONLY by Noble Dragon and Chimera of Fate.

2) LEVELS IN GENERAL

Level One: The commonest monsters. Make lots of these.

Level Two: The next commonest monsters.

Level Three: A reasonably common Level, just don't go overboard. Generally boss cards will be Level Three.

Level Four: Only nigh-legendary cards should be Level Four. Don't make too many.

Level Five: Basically, all Level Fives need some alternate method of summoning. There's only two Level Fives that can be played regularly, and Naardass made both of them.

Level Six: This is where Deities are. There are six in the entire game: Deus ex Machina Dragon, Divine God of the Sun - Sola, Divine God of the Sun - Lunor, Sigma Dragon, Ultimate Element and Titanium Dragon. They should have very hard summoning conditions.

Level Seven: There's ONE of this in the whole game - Naardaas. There should be no reason to make any more.

More than Level Seven: No. Just no. I know, I made Omega Ninth Dragon. Just stop at Level Six, okay?

Level Ten: Wouldn't even fit on the card. Don't even think about it.

3) ORIGINALITY

I will lock any new threads about a Metal-type Dragon theme. I made one, Naardaas made one and one of my friends was thinking about one. It's been done.

In fact, dragons in general have been done to death. Other mythical creatures: they exist.

4) MANA ACCELERATION

Be careful with this. Creating mass Mana tokens can lead to summoning way more powerful cards than your opponent can in the same time, completely undermining the purpose of the Mana system.

5) DRAW CARDS

I've got no problem with draw cards, but Shmod already has Replenish, Mulligan and Hell Mulligan. A themed draw card should be better for the theme than any of those. A themeless draw card... well, you can already use 9 per deck. We don't need any more.

6) RIPPING OFF OTHER GAMES

It's hard not to do. Make sure there's enough of a distinction between your cards and other games.

Yes, my own Wicked Frog and Arch-Tadpole were somewhat based off of Yugioh's Beelze Frog. I know.

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The Decktype Guide

Naardaas · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject:

Why do I get the feeling I had something to do with these?

These are good pointers if we get more new people to act as card gurus. Good pointers Aarikku.
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The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.

Aarikku · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:54 pm Post subject:

Yes, you had a lot to do with it, O One who Tried to Reinvent the Level System.
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The Decktype Guide

Naardaas · Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject:

More and more you use my tactics against me. I'm starting to like you a lot Card Guru.

Why do you think people register here and then never log on again? If they all chipped in cards, imagine where we'd be.

_________________
The seal on my existence is broken. My great dragon has arrived as pinnacle strength. And I have the last thing I need to exact revenge on those who banished me. I have the power over chaos, over life and death. The power of Drahondes.