Do spells with no effects work?
Asked by SteelNinja 11 years ago
This may not be entirely pertinent to the game itself, but I designed a card recently that has no effect unless you cast it using its retrace ability.
My question is, can you cast the card from your hand and have it not do anything to get it in your graveyard, or would you have to discard or dredge it or something?
GreatSword says... #2
It's possible yes. They've printed cards that don't do anything unless you use them a certain way (Bridge from Below , Force of Savagery ).
In my opinion though, you're missing out on design opportunities. I think it'd be better (and cleaner) to do some small on-color effect up-front when you cast it, and then do something different when you retrace it again.
May 10, 2014 3:05 p.m.
SteelNinja says... #3
@BboyGeologic: The main idea behind the card is that it does something different depending on what you pitch to the retrace. Plains make you gain life, Islands draw you cards, etc.
May 10, 2014 3:11 p.m.
SteelNinja says... #4
I think GreatSword is right though. I'll add a small effect to make it worth casting out of hand.
May 10, 2014 3:13 p.m.
billpasdmf says... #5
You could have it's main effect be for just colorless and retrace for the various colors.
May 10, 2014 3:26 p.m.
Rhadamanthus says... Accepted answer #6
See Swirling Sandstorm for an example of an existing spell that literally does nothing unless a particular condition is met. As long as the spell has a mana cost, you can cast it, even if it wouldn't do anything.
BboyGeologic says... #1
This isn't really an answerable question. Wizards can make any card "work" any way they desire. I doubt they would print a retrace card that has no effect unless it's cast for retrace, since it kind of defeats the whole purpose, but if they wanted to they could since it's their game and they can design cards any way they want.
May 10, 2014 2:52 p.m.