Possible new EDH Format: Hot Potato
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on Sept. 2, 2024, 5:19 a.m. by SirFowler
EDH is my favorite format. It has so many variants that it never becomes stale for me. If I ever feel bored of playing one variation, then I just try something different and the game feels as fresh as the first time I played over a decade ago. So, why not add format variation to fuel my addi...I mean totally normal love for magic.
Picture this. The game begins with an indestructible artifact called Hot Potato that reads "At the beginning of your upkeep, put a counter on Hot Potato, then it deals X damage to you equal to the number of counters on it. At the beginning of your end step, target opponent chosen at random gains control of Hot Potato." Maybe have it have protection from everything or something, idk for sure. Then maybe you could also pay mana to either add or remove counters? It's based off of Witch Hunt, but it's just harder to remove. I'm also not sure if it should prevent lifegain, but maybe as well. Or why not just begin the game with Witch Hunt in play considering it's a real card?
The idea for this is to sort of push the game along. Especially when someone chooses to be a downright tool and grind the game to a halt, making for a 3 hour long groan fest waiting for the game to end. Not sure on all the logistics, maybe have it just be an emblem instead, but then being passed around wouldn't really work because it's an emblem and all. What does everyone think?
I do like adding randomness into the equation because it feels more like the game it originated from, but I do see what you're saying. There have been times when someone somehow gets targeted over and over again.
Maybe I could get a collection of Armageddon Clock like cards into a pile and before the game begins, we start with one of those chosen at random. Kind of like Planeschase, so maybe we could also roll to move to a different card? Idk.
September 2, 2024 2:52 p.m.
This could definitely be a workable idea, but is there anything that makes it Commander-specific, and not simply a variant add-on like Planechase or Archenemy?
September 2, 2024 4 p.m.
It can be applied to other formats as well if you want, I just like EDH a lot so that's where I'm coming from. But yeah, if you feel like it can be fun to apply Hot Potato to other formats, go for it. Magic is great because it's one of the only card games that allow for creativity due to the thousands of different interactions from its extensive library of cards.
Also, Planeschase and Archenemy have specific cards that can't really be played anywhere else. But with some of the Hot Potato like effects in Magics history, you can play with them normally or have it seperate as a 'begins in play' sort of deal.
September 3, 2024 3:31 a.m.
It looks like your goal is to have an artifact that easily bounces between every player and cannot be removed. As written, your version of the card has three design issues you should be aware of, as they could fundamentally undermine your goal.
First, you style the ability as a targeted ability. As presently written, cards like Leyline of Sanctity are disproportionately powerful--and possibly necessary--in a format like this, as they ensure you cannot get the Hot Potato.
A better way to write the ability would be "At the beginning of your end step, a player other than you, chosen at random, gains control of Hot Potato." This removes the targeting element and ensures Hexproof, Shroud, and Protection do not prevent a player from gaining the Potato.
Second, your artifact is hard to destroy, but not impossible - Indestructible only prevents destroy-based effects and protection only prevents targeted effects. A mass exile card, such as Consulate Crackdown would remove the Potato from play.
One solution would be to use a replacement effect that overrides any potential zone changes - "If Hot Potato would change zones, it remains in its zone instead."
Third, as written, damage prevention - particularly redirect - effects are disproportionately powerful. If you believe this is a problem adding a "The damage can't be prevented rider" would solve this issue.
September 3, 2024 9:13 a.m.
Commander is more fun when it is less random IMO, as then a bad roll can't wipe you out, you can predict it but it can still present a credible threat, and could be fun to have it attached to an upside ala the Monarch without the mechanics baggage.
My proposal would be Hot Potato - Emblem At the end of turn, if no one has the Hot Potato, the player with the highest life gains the Hot Potato. At the beginning of your end step, you get 2 Heat counters, then lose life equal to your heat counters and draw a card for every 2 heat counters on you. Whenever a creature or spell controlled by an opponent deals damage to you, its controller gains control of Hot Potato.
A version could put counters on the indicator too, but at 40 life, it goes from 5%, to 10%, to 15% within 3 loops or 3 steals.
This also presents an issue of being able to stonewall a player out the game once they have it however.
FormOverFunction says... #2
I think this sort of modulation of magic is super fun and want you to keep doing it. Having said that, do you need the randomness? With a few bad die rolls one person could feel pretty put out, and there are a ton of Armageddon Clock cards that you can mess around with (everyone starts with one in play, or, there’s a semi-emblem one in play that can’t be removed... or whatever). Now for my sales pitch: you may really enjoy putting some of this stuff in your decks. I think the most understandable hate for cards like Jinxed Choker, Copper Tablet, and Rug of Smothering comes from when they’re accompanied to some degree by a total spell or land lock-out. My “Torture!” And “Haunted House!” decks both have a ton of these incremental cards, which shorten the game without actually PREVENTING anyone from casting their spells or drawing cards. Be the change you want to see in the world! Throw a Havoc Festival for everyone! Hand out some Jinxed Rings for Halloween! Mulligan repeatedly until you have Ankh of Mishra in your opening hand each game... okay well don’t do that one... but you know what I mean. Take this as a challenge to build a fun weird deck! There is a TON out there.
September 2, 2024 10:14 a.m.