How Do I Make A Balanced Card?

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Well, it's become apparent that my version of a good card and everyone elses' version of a good card are not the same thing. I want to correct that, because I'm tired of having to ask people how to correct the cards I make.
I looked around for a tutorial, but there doesn't appear to be one on how to make a balanced card.
I would love some advice, or a link to a tutorial.
Thank you.

[seattleite]

It's a question I have often asked myself

I think it depends what you want. If you want a very indepth, detailed analysis of what's [b][i]wrong [/i][/b]with your card, then YCM is the place to go. YCM has the most concise reviews out of any site I know, but the problem is it's hard to rave about a card and easy to rant about it. It's good for the newbies, and good for the perfectionists, maybe bad for accentuating the good design aspects of a card.

And if you post a single card, chances are good it'll be reviewed by someone.

On the other hand, I wouldn't go to YugiCo or TcgPlayer, at all for CC things. Other sites I know not of.

Lastly, don't feel like I'm trying to talk you into joining our club, but the LCCG forum site does card reviews. Almost all cards are reviewed, the reviews are good and detailed. The only thing is its in our CCG, so they will be reviewed with those cards in mind. But we can still give advice on broken / underpowered cards just like TCG players.

[Enma Ai]

After you make the card, ask yourself; "Would I use this in real life", and if "yes", would it give me a huge advantage over my opponenent?

If its playable in the real game without being broken and spammable then yes it might be balanced. Dont make cards like "Pay 1000lp to special summon 3 lvl3 monsters."

If a card is really powerful give it drawbacks. eg. instead of "Banish 1 card on the field" make it "Once per turn banish 1 card on the field. you can not attack this turn."

Dont make super generic cards (in my opinion). eg. cards that can be used and spammed in every deck. eg. "When this card is sent to the graveyard select 1 level 3 or higher effect monster and add it to your hand". Instead limit searches by adding Attribute and Type limitations.

If you feel a card is balanced and can see no way it would be overpowered (at 3 copies per card) in the current meta then it is likely balanced. Although accept feedback, as someone may have seen something you missed, then you can fix your card accordingly.

Oh, be creative. Try not to refresh current effects of strong cards.

Thats about all ive got... :/

Not a great help but its something. Hope it helped a little.

[seattleite]

Balance is mostly relative. Back in LOB Trap Hole was pretty awesome since it was one of the few 1-1 reliable removal cards out there. But of course things have changed.

I don't think I am the perfect person to ask about balance. I don't think anyone is, card design is somewhat subjective by nature. Dark Hole might be broken by some, for others it might be a necessary counter against massive swarm. The biggest things to think about are:
* Will it positively impact the game, as it is in this moment of time
* Will it encourage strategic usage, and not auto-pilot-like play
* Does the nature of the card mean player-player interaction (i.e. not indefinite stall, OTK, FTK)

Also like Dark Rose said, the right balance between genericness and specificity is crucial. You don't want something that 99% of people will use (unless you're one of those people who has the above opinion on cards like Dark Hole, etc.), and you [i]don't[/i] want something so specific that in can be used [u]one way and one way only. [/u]


Maybe if you could link me to one of your cards, I could be of more help.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/286786-heres-something-useful-for-bahamut-shark-single/
I created this Vanilla Xyz for Bahamut Shark, but it seems to be torn to pieces for being worthless without Bahamut, and OPed with it.

[Enma Ai]

Yeah, nothing was wrong with your card. Although it isn't a great card since it doesnt have an effect, its not bad. Its other cards that make it seem OP'd. tbh, I don't find much wrong with it. Not that hard to get over a 2200 beater anyway, so no complaints. Bahamut would not nearly make this broken. 2 lvl 4's to Xyz summon a Rank 4 JUST so you can special summon your card? not worth it imo.

Overall, seems like a fun card. nothing wrong with it. balanced.

[seattleite]

[quote name='TheFinalFan' timestamp='1343191065' post='5988299']
[url="http://forum.yugiohcardmaker.net/topic/286786-heres-something-useful-for-bahamut-shark-single/"]http://forum.yugiohc...t-shark-single/[/url]
I created this Vanilla Xyz for Bahamut Shark, but it seems to be torn to pieces for being worthless without Bahamut, and OPed with it.
[/quote]

This is just one member's opinion, who happens to be very opinionated. And as you see it's still a tossup between whether vanilla xyzs are good design or not. That thread is a good example of the subjective nature of card design.

My opinion is the card isn't horrifically broken or anything, it is just the fact that it supports something bad, while only being usable for that purpose. Leviathan outclasses it completely, except with Bahamut.

sorry I gotta quote myself lol: "you [i]don't[/i] want something so specific that in can be used [u]one way and one way only. [/u]"

But really, don't get down cause of this one slip-up. This mistake is minor compared to anything you [i]could [/i]have done with the card. You are really a better off card maker than a lot of people on this site.

And, another thing: Reviewers will often look for the "problematic card" in a set, because there isn't much you can say about a very good card without looking like spam. That's why it can feel like every card you make is terrible. I got warned because I wasn't critical enough on a set of cards. Pretty much cause the creator had good design and there was nothing left to add.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

And that's why I'm often hesitant to post my cards on this site.
I guess a better question to ask is "Should I Post My Cards On This Site?"