J-Max's steps to becoming a good Card Maker

[J-Max]

[center][b]One of the biggest keys to becoming a good Card maker is the understanding of balance. The first thing to think about is what kind of card did you want to make? If you want to make a Tribute to your favorite character from a Anime or Cartoon and would like to make him/her/it plow through the compotition then think carefully about how powerfull you would like to make it. Here's a few steps of advice to turn a card from a Overpowered monster to a competitive card.

[size="4"]1. Make the effect work with the Image.[/size]
I learned this back when I was a Newbie Card Maker. I would often head to Image search sites and just plot a effect on a card. Don't do this. If you find a picture of say, a Angel with a Bow ready to strike then perhaps design a effect that involves wiping out a Spell or Trap along with attacking. The Bow symbolizes Long Range hence the Spell & Trap Zone. Or if you have a Demon surrounded by minions, then make a Token based card! Special Summoning Tokens if your Life Points are decreased would make perfect sense here.

[size="4"]2. Understand the basics of balance.[/size]
Most of you are new and I can understand that but making a car 12 Stars and its ATK & DEF 9999 is just plain wrong. If that card was played in a Duel, the user would be at a extremely unfair advantage with the ability to OHK (One hit kill) the opponent. Take a long look at your card and put yourself in a Duel with it. Most Higher Level cards have a slight penalty that goes along with it, such as a ATK & DEF decrease. If you want to make say a Level 4 monster with 2500 ATK, you need a way to make it balanced. Also after designing the effect, be sure to take a good look at it and correct any basic errors with it. The Card Raters will not bite but seeing effects like "This card kills another card in battle" is all right but an be improved, that's what we are here for and will happily correct basic mistakes.

[size="4"]3. NEVER make Divine Beasts.[/size]
In recent years Yu-Gi-Oh was introduced to some Divine Beasts including the Egyptian Gods and the Sacred Beasts. The Sacred Beasts became Legal in Yu-Gi-Oh but I would avoid designing them in the Card Maker. Most Divine Beasts are 12 Stars and have the ability to wipe out the field. If you are a Newbie Card Maker then this would give you the temptation to design broken effects. Stick to more basic effects until you become more confident in your abilities.

[size="4"]4. Be creative.[/size]
Wen designing a card, I always try to be creative with the design process. I often tinker with making effects that are balanced but keep it interestng, as I type this the last new design I created was grabbing cards from the Side Deck (The Side Deck is a mini deck of 15 cards that can be swapped out with your main deck during the interval of a Match). I also designed a set known as the Field Chibi's that reside in the Field Spell Zone. Let your creative juices flow, we're here to help you out with some of the kinks and to offer friendly advice.
[size="4"]
5. Take advice.[/size]
This may seem the most obvious thing to understand but most Newbie Card Makers get a little stressed when faced with critizism. If yiu are one of these people then just calm down. Maybe your card is a little overpowered or the Pic looks a little blurry. I often help new members out by finding a nice image for a Design they have created. It's what we are here for. You need help, just feel free to ask us or even one of the Moderators if you find a message to be offensive.

[size="4"]6. Remember to have fun.[/size]
When tinkering in the Card Maker, remember the most basic of all rules. HAVE FUN! If you are feeling stressed when designing then perhaps card making is just not for you. I get a little stressed at times and walk away from the Card Maker for a day or 2 to relax. Play some relaxing music in the background or if you are designing say a Angel Card then put some Angelic Hymns on! I do this all the time and it really helps to stimulate your brain.

More later YCM Acolytes. Peace out [/b][/center]

[LiAM]

tl;dr. It's good, you're right in what you're saying, but the presentation is too formal.
Children learn better by visualization, as you may remember from your time at school, "words are soo boooring".

Maybe some screenshots/ image or process of a step by step card to show the progress,
and cropping effects from existing cards as previews?
It will take longer to make, but would hopefully extend the usefulness of the tutorial.

[J-Max]

I was considering that at first but the problem with me is that somes I can be too Formal. Also Pictures would perhaps make the thread look a little too Childish? lol sorry I said that wrong. Other members are making guides too, this is just my way of thinking it I hope people will at least look at 1 or 2 steps of my guide especially the last one.

[M.B X]

Nice, i like it its helpful and basic yet very simple to understand.
Am sure this would help some newbies out.
Although 1 thing i have to say i disagree with you on the (NEVER make Divine Beasts) part, i mean its an attribute it is available in the Card Maker and since now the Egyptian God Cards are not Illegal anymore. Anyways good guide and good luck with it

[Icy]

Criticism is bad. All it does is speak Negative. Constructive Criticism is positive while speaking the negative.
I do not fully agree with this at all. Hell, even #1 appears lopsided >_<"

[J-Max]

It's a Team effort and these steps I always tell myself

[Agaming]

nice and good advice J-Max i'll direct new members to this thread if you want

[J-Max]

Please do. I'm only one member though There will be other guides.

[Agaming]

i suppose...
ya know i'm a bit annoyed i didn't come up with somthing like this coz lol out of the whole site i spend all ma time in RP or AOC lol also i'm annoyed that my cardmaker war ideas haven't been that to popular anyhow good idea thinking this up

[Wardek]

Finally! Arigatu. =P

[Kuri]

no sticky?

[J-Max]

No Sticky... I understand how Josh feels if he doesn't stick it.

[Yoshi Member]

This surely helps.
The newbies can at least read this simple guide.
So,the newbies can become awesome card makers in just some time!