Phyrexian Colosseum
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Nov. 2, 2022, 9:27 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
Phyrexian Arena is an awesome card, but I would like to see a version whose effect increases as time passes, so here is my vision of such a card:
Phyrexian Colosseum Show
This card costs 1 more mana than does its predecessor, but I feel that it is worth additional mana. As with the original, the ability is not optional and the card does not provide any way to regain the life that is lost, so its controller shall need to find another way to prevent the enchantment from killing them.
What does everyone else say about this card? Did I do well with designing it?
TypicalTimmy says... #3
I like it. Feels perfectly fine to me.
The difference here between Phyrexian Colosseum and your Atraxa is that your Atraxa could get you your life back with her lifelink, and be a threatening presence on the battlefield, while still offering the card advantage.
Since this only does 1/3rd of all that (just the card advantage, over time), I feel this is perfectly fine for what it is.
Well done!
November 3, 2022 12:02 a.m.
Squee_Spirit_Guide says... #4
I think you could simplify it a bit by making it "Cumulative upkeep: pay 1 life and draw a card." I like that because I want there to be more good cards with cumulative upkeep :)
As far as the balance, I think it would be OK in most decks and very abusable in the right decks. It also feels very , being all in on trading life for card draw. +1 from me!
November 3, 2022 12:28 a.m.
In mid-level games this is probably fine - even costing one more mana than (the overrated mediocrity that is) Phyrexian Arena, the fact if scales rather quickly and can take advantage of proliferate helps it.
You probably could change the trigger to “when ~ ETBs and at the beginning of your upkeep” or (to bring in a coliseum element) “at the beginning of combat… this ability triggers once each turn” to further differentiate it from Phyrexian Arena. One of Arena’s problems is the fact it does not draw you a card when it hits the battlefield, making it often a waste of a play.
November 3, 2022 9:44 a.m. Edited.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Squee_Spirit_Guide, that was my first idea, but that would allow the player to sacrifice it when they could not longer pay the cost, which goes against black's philosophy, or do you believe that the player should have that choice?
November 3, 2022 9:04 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #8
That... Is actually a great question with regards to the color philosophy...
November 3, 2022 9:09 p.m.
Squee_Spirit_Guide says... #9
DemonDragonJ, I'm in two minds on that. I feeel like maximum would mean there's no choice but to ride it until the end, one way or another. But, cards like Dystopia, Necropotence, and Yawgmoth's Bargain all give the option to stop paying, and those are some pretty iconic cards in .
Personally, I like the idea of using cumulative upkeep and potentially adding a drawback when it leaves play. Something like losing 10 life or not being able to draw a card if it is in your graveyard or exile.
But I'm not a great card designer so that might not work, and it might take it away from what you want it to be. Either way, I think it's a cool design :)
Dead_Blue_ says... #2
I think 4 mana is too expensive and the incremental clock is too lethal
Casting Phyrexian Arena for 3 mans is clunky enough as is
I like the idea behind it though, just needs more balance
November 3, 2022 12:01 a.m.