The Damned Magician - New Card

[BatMed]

 

 

Cannot be special summoned or set. Must first be Normal Summoned in Attack position (from your hand) by removing any number of Spell Counters from your side of the field (max 7). When this card is Normal summoned, Place spell counters on this card equal the number of the spell counters you use to normal summon this card. You cannot change this card to Defense Position. If this card would be destroyed:

*By battle; Remove 1 Spell Counter and skip the battle-phase instead.

*By a card effect: Remove 1 Spell Counter; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that monster.

At the second turn after this card summoning: switch the original ATK and DEF of this card.

[BatMed]

bump

[BatMed]

bump

[Amanea]

BALANCE

Assuming that there is not an OCG problem and that you did mean that he can be Special Summoned in Defense Position, just simply unable to be changed to Defense Position if in Attack Position, then there is less of an imbalance between a terribly contingent cost and 3500 ATK. Controlling 2 other Spellcasters with at least 2 Spell Counters each is a stunt to pull of even for Prophecy. Basically, that 3500 ATK would never see the light of day. There's far too high a cost and, equally, far too rare a condition. The "Place 3 Spell Counters on this card" bit is a little awkward, since it has no actual benefit from the card itself, and instead you would require a third party to transfer Spell Counters from this card to another (which I don't even know exists). Even with 3500 DEF, he isn't likely to last long enough to become usable as a giant beater, and as such, those Counters will probably disappear before you can use them for another card's effect.

 

FLAVOR

Level 9 is unusual and interesting for starters. The effect which potentially turns it into a powerful monster after being Summoned is conceptually brilliant, but usually only seen paired with silly conditions (like this one's) which I don't like. The feel of the picture is vengeful and sinister, which I think is what you were aiming for, considering the title. The kitty on his head does detract from any cutting seriousness. ^^ The belt of violet light makes him look angry.... All very befitting!

 

UTILITY

I only see this mildly workable in Prophecy, who I do not think needs more support/options. Alas, changing this would remove the entire foundation of his effects and nature. He can't be sided against anything for any particular reason, and his costs to Summon and use compound each other so that there is an unprecedentedly high cost for a monster that doesn't even have self protection or destruction effects. Overall, I think it's a letdown for any deck that has the slightest capacity to run him.

 

FIXES

Here's my rendition: "You can Special Summon this card by removing any number of Spell Counters from your side of the field (max 7). This card gains 500 ATK for each Spell Counter removed this way. While there are Spell Counters on your side of the field: Change this card to Attack Position, also it cannot change its Battle Position. During each of your End Phases: You can remove 1 Spell Counter from your side of the field; this card gains 500 ATK and loses 500 DEF. If this card's ATK is greater than 3500: Destroy this card and remove all Spell Counters from your side of the field." There was just too much that I thought needed changing to verbally explain each point. If my version doesn't operate the way that this card was intended, then ask yourself what function you want it to play in a deck, and in which particular deck that would be. You have to really take into consideration the level of contingency in Summoning/activating effects. 2 Spellcaster-Type monsters with 2 or more Spell Counters each - when is that ever going to happen? Never. Unless you're in total control of the game with Prophecy and you have Star Hall present, along with two or more Spellcasters who happen to have 2 Spell Counters on them from Start Hall(s) after you removed 4 Counters for the Special Summon of this card. What? Yeah, that's what I mean. Ultimately, I'd suggest an overhaul, reconsidering conditions, costs, and consistency.

[BatMed]

BALANCE

Assuming that there is not an OCG problem and that you did mean that he can be Special Summoned in Defense Position, just simply unable to be changed to Defense Position if in Attack Position, then there is less of an imbalance between a terribly contingent cost and 3500 ATK. Controlling 2 other Spellcasters with at least 2 Spell Counters each is a stunt to pull of even for Prophecy. Basically, that 3500 ATK would never see the light of day. There's far too high a cost and, equally, far too rare a condition. The "Place 3 Spell Counters on this card" bit is a little awkward, since it has no actual benefit from the card itself, and instead you would require a third party to transfer Spell Counters from this card to another (which I don't even know exists). Even with 3500 DEF, he isn't likely to last long enough to become usable as a giant beater, and as such, those Counters will probably disappear before you can use them for another card's effect.

 

FLAVOR

Level 9 is unusual and interesting for starters. The effect which potentially turns it into a powerful monster after being Summoned is conceptually brilliant, but usually only seen paired with silly conditions (like this one's) which I don't like. The feel of the picture is vengeful and sinister, which I think is what you were aiming for, considering the title. The kitty on his head does detract from any cutting seriousness. ^^ The belt of violet light makes him look angry.... All very befitting!

 

UTILITY

I only see this mildly workable in Prophecy, who I do not think needs more support/options. Alas, changing this would remove the entire foundation of his effects and nature. He can't be sided against anything for any particular reason, and his costs to Summon and use compound each other so that there is an unprecedentedly high cost for a monster that doesn't even have self protection or destruction effects. Overall, I think it's a letdown for any deck that has the slightest capacity to run him.

 

FIXES

Here's my rendition: "You can Special Summon this card by removing any number of Spell Counters from your side of the field (max 7). This card gains 500 ATK for each Spell Counter removed this way. While there are Spell Counters on your side of the field: Change this card to Attack Position, also it cannot change its Battle Position. During each of your End Phases: You can remove 1 Spell Counter from your side of the field; this card gains 500 ATK and loses 500 DEF. If this card's ATK is greater than 3500: Destroy this card and remove all Spell Counters from your side of the field." There was just too much that I thought needed changing to verbally explain each point. If my version doesn't operate the way that this card was intended, then ask yourself what function you want it to play in a deck, and in which particular deck that would be. You have to really take into consideration the level of contingency in Summoning/activating effects. 2 Spellcaster-Type monsters with 2 or more Spell Counters each - when is that ever going to happen? Never. Unless you're in total control of the game with Prophecy and you have Star Hall present, along with two or more Spellcasters who happen to have 2 Spell Counters on them from Start Hall(s) after you removed 4 Counters for the Special Summon of this card. What? Yeah, that's what I mean. Ultimately, I'd suggest an overhaul, reconsidering conditions, costs, and consistency.

 

thanks for reviewing,, I'll change the effect to something better.

[BatMed]

Updated