Experimental Format - "Marathon"
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on March 21, 2017, 11:53 a.m. by Altrunchen
Hello there, I had this crazy idea for a format that I thought I might have some fun testing out and tweaking with other people here on the site. I'm hoping that we can have fun editing this format into something playable and most importantly fun.
With no more ado, here's what I've been considering for the format:
Marathon
The intent for this format is to give players who possess a lot of cards a type of game where they can utilize more cards than they can in other formats. There are also some special rules to hopefully enable this:
Deck Format:
- Creature x50
- Instant x50
- Sorcery x50
- Artifact x50
- Enchantment x50
- Land x150
Max Players: 2
Hand Size Limit: 14
Card Amount Limit: 4
Initial Draw Amount: 14
Life Points: 100
Time Limit: 120 minutes
- Six 20-minute periods
- Five 5-minute intermissions between periods
Victory Conditions: Achieve one or more of the following.
- Reduce the other player's life points to 0.
- Score the most points by the end of the game.
Scoring Points:
- Dealing damage
- Preventing damage
- (To be determined)
Tie Contingency Plan: Sudden Death
- Both players now have 10 life points no matter what
- Creatures automatically go to the graveyard two turns after being summoned (and getting over summoning sickness)
I'm hoping to get some feedback on how to make this a functional format from this community. Thoughts?
Altrunchen says... #3
@Epochalyptik
Hmm okay then. Which win condition would you suggest then?
March 21, 2017 12:29 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #4
Point systems are inherently more complicated than traditional win/loss conditions and are generally only "usable" in social multiplayer environments. Unless there's a pressing need to change win conditions, I wouldn't.
I would also keep in mind that, by forcing card type requirements, you're pushing everyone more toward a goodstuff/battle cruiser style of gameplay. Some strategies just don't have a reason to play certain kinds of cards, and it may be very difficult to even find 50 (or 12-13) different cards of a particular type that are even worth including.
That's not to say it's better or worse than other formats, but you should be aware of how your design choices affect possible player experiences.
March 21, 2017 1:07 p.m.
chaosumbreon87 says... #5
Besides some finer points, whats to stop me from building 5c hermit druid, boonweaver combo or battle of wits decks. Some rebalancing seems like its in order. Also, if i can infinite ping while donated plat angel is on their board, i just got infinite points. Finally your type restrictions leave questions to whether i can just thin the deck with multiple types (land creature, enchantment creature, artifact creature etc)
March 21, 2017 1:07 p.m.
get rid of the point system and put unlimited time. Play the game over Several days. That's a marathon.
March 21, 2017 10:54 p.m.
I agree about not restricting or forcing card types because it will limit deck-building and the whole point is to play their bazillion card libraries.
I also agree about not changing the traditional win conditions either. The whole point is Be the last planeswalker standing and no need to complicate it with a point system. If you go with a point system people will just build to capitalize on it.And have a Banned List. They exist for a reason. No to Battle of Wits, Mortal Combat and Coalition Victory. Etc, Etc.
Epochalyptik says... #2
Reduce complexity. Simple, simple, simple.
E.g., don't mandate intervals or rest periods, don't use both a traditional victory condition and a point system, etc.
March 21, 2017 12:07 p.m.