Theme

[Maraxus of Keld]

What are we going to make the theme of the set? If we look back at the last few blocks and sets Wizards has done:

Mirrodin - artifact theme
Onslaught - creature theme
Odyssey - color-based theme (Odyssey = red/blue, Torment = black, Judgement = green/white)
Invasion - multicolored

So as far as themes for our set, there are several categories we could use:

Card type - The last two blocks have emphasized artifacts and creatures. We could make a set that's heavily instant, sorcery, enchantment, or land-based. This doesn't necessarily that 50% of the cards have to be that type, but that the majority of cards should either be that type or interact with it somehow.

Color - We could do a set like Torment where one or two particular colors are emphasized. If we choose this option, I think we should stay away from black since it's been done.

Board zone - There's been a lot of graveyard manipulation, some library manipulation cards, and plenty of hand manipulation (drawing, discarding, things like Multani, Maro-Sorcerer, etc.). We could focus on something like this. (I'm not really crazy about this one, just throwing it out as a possibility.

Color wheel - thekadar81 suggested "bending" the color wheel a bit. We could make the set full of cards that break the color wheel.

No theme - We don't necessarily have to have a theme, although I think we should.

Any suggestions? I personally have already been designing a few cards as possibilities (subject to group approval), and I think a land-based set is distinctly possible using some of the cards I have made.

[Volrath, the Fallen]

well, board zone could be a side thing like it was in Odessey block with the graveyard. Incarnations, Flashback, things like Ichorid. I think it would be cool to have that as a side thing, but as a main theme i think we should go for a combo of breaking the color wheel and card type.

[chainer]

i say go for color, and card type, eather or works for me, but i'm not exactly set in this so if nobody else likes those i wouldn't care not useing them

[Butcher Orgg(s)]

Pah. I say we(Yes, we, I'm in) theme it around good old story! Come on! Story is more fun for a set theme then others!

[Maraxus of Keld]

Welcome aboard!

I certainly think we should make the story an important part of the set, but I would like to try a theme from a game design standpoint as well.

[Maraxus of Keld]

This may be just crazy talk (since it is about 4:00 in the morning when I'm typing this), but if we can't decide on a single theme, we could try to make a whole block and have different themes for each set.

That would be a hell of a lot more work though.

[Butcher Orgg(s)]

Easier then you think, actually. Blocks aren't that hard.

[Maraxus of Keld]

Butcher said:

Easier then you think, actually. Blocks aren't that hard.

Using Mirrodin block as a guide for set size:

Mirrodin - 306 cards
Darksteel - 165
Fifth Dawn - 165

That means we have to create 636 cards for an entire block. Between 5 people. I'm up for the challenge if you guys are, I guess.

[Volrath, the Fallen]

i'm up for it. sounds like it will be fun

[chainer]

i'll give it a try!

[Maraxus of Keld]

Assuming that Butcher Orgg(s)'s statement that it's not too hard is a vote of yes, then we have 4 out of 5 to make an entire block rather than just a set. So it's official, this is now the Creating a New Block project.

[chainer]

so is the first set going to be the main part, and the next two sets like ad ons?

[Maraxus of Keld]

Sorta. I think we should choose the themes for all three sets, that way if someone gets an idea that would be better for the second or third set we can put it in there where it fits better.

[Butcher Orgg(s)]

Hokay. Let's see... A world...

Let's take this in a totally odd direction.

Observe:

www.davidaspitzley.org/Gaming/DGenDisplay.asp?DimensionID=108

Thanks to the creator of that engine.

[chainer]

maybe, we could do a civilized vs. savage kinda thing, the civilized color(s) would use more abilities and the savage would have brute strength, just a thought.