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.

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.

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?