Choice Commanders

Custom Cards forum

Posted on Aug. 16, 2017, 10:17 a.m. by dbpunk

So after seeing Breya, Etherium Shaper and Vindictive Lich, I realized how cool it is to have options for what happens with a commander. So I'm trying to design a full 10 commanders that give you a choice of what happens when a certain trigger occurs. My plan is to have 1 keyword on each of them and 3 options for what happens after a trigger is met. This is an example (using Dimir).

Diras, Golden Artificer

Legendary Artifact Creature - Human Artificer

Hexproof

Whenever you activate the ability of a non-creature permanent that isn't a mana producing ability, choose one:

  • Each opponent puts the top 3 cards of their library into their graveyard.
  • Draw a card and lose 1 life.
  • Put a counter on target non-creature permanent.

2/3

This commander is built literally for the current UB EDH I run, hence why it focuses on what it does.

My questions for design are as follows:

-Should I keep them dual colored with three options that focus on their dual colored nature or move into tri-colored for them with an ability that focuses on each of their colors?

-Should I allow unlimited use of their abilities and have the abilities have smaller impacts, or should I increase the effect of their ability but allow each to be used only once each turn?

-Is my wording on the mana production thing off (I don't want the effect occuring because someone taps a land or Sol Ring)

-How should design their mana costs? I want to keep them somewhat fair and balanced.

-What characters in magic lore do you think would be useful as inspiration?

zephramtripp says... #2

Do you want your commander to go infinite with Shuko?

For your questions:

  • You can make them whatever colors you desire.
  • If you want the same style as Breya and the Lich, consider making the abilities either cost mana and sacrifice or be one time only like ETB and LTBs.
  • "Whenever you activate an ability of a noncreature permanent that isnt a mana ability" See Crackdown Construct.
  • A way to make most abilities on creatures balanced is to make them five-mana 2/2s. That way they die to nearly every removal spell, but if their effect is worth it you'd run it. See Riku of Two Reflections.
  • I don't have a very expansive knowledge of Lore. The wiki has a few lists.
August 16, 2017 11:52 a.m.

zephramtripp says... #3

Also, consider expanding upon your commander's third ability. Do you want a Skyship Plunderer effect, or do you want to be able to put any random counter on anything? That could be problematic.

August 16, 2017 11:55 a.m.

dbpunk says... #4

Ok that makes sense. And yeah I meant it in a kind of proliferate kind of way.

August 16, 2017 12:12 p.m.

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