Wizardry TCG

There are five (5) Wizards at your disposal. Each Wizard a different dice from the other:

• Illusionist (Blue cards) = d4
• Enchanter (Green cards) = d6
• Conjurer (Yellow cards) = d8
• Warlock (Orange cards) = d10
• Sorcerer (Red cards) = d12

As you can see, each Wizard has a DIFFERENT Poly dice.

Rather than choosing and rolling one single dice, where everything is left to random luck, you roll ALL five (5) dice at the SAME TIME and choose THREE (3) Wizards out of the group.

So although there is a randomness factor (in rolling the dice), you also have probabilities and more strategy in selecting the Wizards you wish to control on your turn.

That's what I got for now.

Please feel free to comment/post any type of feedback.

As mentioned, there will be five (5) colors of cards, each one for a specific Wizard. I think this will draw me AWAY from popular card games like "Magic: The Gathering" since I have divided my cards into categories based on Wizards.

One has to be careful not to get too "absorbed" in what Magic does and put your own spin on a DISTINCT duel game.

To do so, you need to vary the mechanics of the game.

Take for example, using Polyhedral dice to represent Wizards and MANA. No need for "Land cards", your Wizards and their dice give you POWER to control your fate.

People tend to complain about "too many land cards" in Magic. So I want to eliminate this restriction. Adding five (5) dice instead of all kinds of Land cards, seems "innovative"! :)

Note: That dice rolling may lead to occasions where the dice restrict the game strategy you may want to employ. But I see this as GOOD. Since just because you have a SPECIFIC strategy to DEFEAT your opponent, does NOT imply it should work every time as expected!

This is taking another JAB at Magic deck-building capabilities. Building decks with certain colors of cards, lead to general strategies used by the player. I want to AVOID deck strategies that are too "overwhelming" in their use...

Another caveat of some collectible or trading card games is the "Strongest" minion syndrome.

This is when an opponent plays such a strong unit that the opponent cannot counter that unit and therefore dies and loses the duel. This is very frustrating in the eyes of the losing player.

"Wizardry TCG" aims to RESOLVE this issue by offering multiple strategies to defeat an opposing minion. For example you could use your Warlock's Mind Control capabilities to command a summoned minion to attack his opponent's minions. If that doesn't work you can use your Enchanter to "curse" a minion reducing it's power and then "banish" him with your Conjurer ...

That's where I see POTENTIAL in this game: multiple strategies to remove the all TOO POWERFUL minion from the table.

This is what "EXCITES" me. Having the possibility of using the Wizards in different ways (as each has his own special capabilities).

And there is some logic in it: "Why can't the Conjurer control the minions he summons?" The answer is pretty logical. Because he must summon more than one minion, he needs to focus his power on keeping the minions in the Wizard's realm of existence. That takes quite a bit of power and therefore makes it difficult to command all the minions he summons.

That's where the Warlock comes into play, and allows him to control some of the summoned units to attack opposing forces.

Still in the "infancy" stage... I'm just trying to put some ideas together and see what can/cannot work.

That's where I have made "basic" changes to the game.

Take for example my "colors". They are in a color spectrum:

"Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue"

That's one thing good - the "colors" used by the Wizards are DIFFERENT from Magic. And I had another game that used "Magic's" color scheme called "Archon: Circlet of the Heavens" (ARCHON). That game was also shelved... So the color scheme is inspired by ARCHON but different. I am trying to draw as much inspiration I can from all the duel games prior to this one that have FAILED.

The addition of five (5) DIFFERENT Wizards in WIZ also gives a unique flavor to the game. Each class having it's own unique abilities. This idea/concept means that I THINK differently than "Magic" does.

"Magic" = one (1) summoner, colors of spells to invoke.

"WIZ" = five (5) wizards, specific colors for each one.

This really forces me OUTSIDE of "Magic" and to think in another direction ... "How/what will each Wizard compendium be?"

Something along those lines.

Right now my most troubling aspect of the game is to figure out WHAT to DO with the "Illusionist" (d4).

What kind of abilities should he/she have?

The four (4) other Wizards are defined as such:

1. Enchanter: "bless" or "curse" minions (think +1/+1 or -1/0 cards).
2. Conjurer: "summon" or "banish" minions (think using creatures).
3. Warlock: use your minions to "attack" your opponent's minions (think tapping creatures).
4. Sorceror: "take-that" cards which do direct damage (think instants).

All that remains is the "Illusionist" (or perhaps another Wizard)???

So I have come up with a "creative" use of the "Mystic" (which will replace the Illusionist). In addition to be able to "counter" spells and DISPEL (temporarily or permanently) certain of the enchantments on a Minion. More powerful counters include being able to stop "Sorcerer" spells which are direct in nature.

The other thing is that with "focus" you can use a "Mystic" to ENHANCE one of your two (2) other Wizards rolls. So if you rolled a 8 on a Warlock (d10), you could grant +1 to +4 (depending on the roll) Mana to the other dice (Wizards) in your pool.

Just some quick thoughts for now...

Still working ideas - but these seem the most promising so far.

I have an interesting business model for A GAME. The problem is that I have NO games that suit it. As I've said before I tried several times before without success. Not because I don't believe in myself - but odds are I will fail again.

And to explore the business model further would require me have a WORKING game! :P No game = no nothing. Can't develop the business unless I have a game that meets the criteria ("Filler-Type").

Our "Mech" game is on pause - will probably work on it some more sometime soon. But we'll see...

Update: The "Mech" game doesn't fit the category of "filler-type" game I am looking to develop. As I said "Fantasy Duel". The child's direction was very clear - and I'm looking into it *seriously*. Even if it is only an exercise (for now).

I think it would be best to speak to Hamish about it. 3 Designers on one project could lead to too much confusion. It's hard enough with 2 Designers. Bringing a project TOGETHER is a complex beast, especially if you consider that the project you are on is a "business decision".

Also I don't have a fancy for Pirate games... unless the pirates are BABES! :P

I had a game "concept": Mistresses of the Sea.

HOT, BABE-LICIOUS women in Pirate clothing! Hehehe! Got to be some kind of fetish! :P

No but seriously if you like the "Women Pirate" concept - you can use it. If you like the name also, feel free to use it. If you'd like to know if Hamish would be interested speak with him. But personally not for me.

I'm trying to focus on the "Fantasy Duel" game. Not sure about the filler since my guess is "Magic" is a GAME not a FILLER. So IF I have a DECK of sixty (60) cards, well then I doubt it will be a filler. Sounds more like a regular game - perhaps even Collectible (just as an exercise).

Another constraint that I want to "work with" is Polyhedral Dice. While I know it is possible to do CUSTOM Polys, for the sake of simplicity, I am aiming for STANDARD Polys.

Why? Well because Polys are mainly used in RPGs.

Using polys in a Board Game - brings up RPGs elements like Skill Checking. Or the whole rolling a JUNK of Polys at the same time and figuring out what you want to do with them (because you can only choose 3 out of 5) gives an interesting FEEL to the game.

Something like this:

That could make for an interesting Pirate game! For certain!...

• The Sorcerer deals with casting DIRECT and INDIRECT spells. He is linked with "Chaos" and "unpredictable behavior". This links is similar to the concept of relying on one's "emotions" to make decisions. As such the nature of this Wizard's Power is something rather VOLATILE.
• The Warlock uses his power to control beings. He is linked to "determinism", the theory that all facts and events exemplify natural laws. This concept comes from a form of "wisdom" which comes from experience rather than from pure intellect. The nature of this Wizard's Power is a form of control and domination, something requiring much STABLE energy.
• The Conjurer is the master in summoning minions from different astral planes. His link is to "indeterminism", the opposite of the Warlock. Indeterminism is the belief that human actions are not entirely governed by preexisting conditions but retain a certain freedom and spontaneity. This is manifested by "instinct" which is a part of every being. This Wizard's Power is a convergence and requires high CONCENTRATION and focus.
• The Enchanter has the capability to bless or curse using various objects as magical talismans. He is linked to "free will", the ability to choose between different possible courses of action. It allows him a certain ability to have "creativity" in his magic. This Wizard's Power is to lock magical energy into various vessels and is very DYNAMIC in nature.
• The Mystic has the power to counter and focus other magical energies. He is linked to "order", the principle of harmonious arrangement. It gives him access to "knowledge" via meditation and other forms of transformation of the mind. As such this Wizard's Power is to offset the abilities of the other Wizards and is very COMPATIBLE.

I have been thinking a lot about DICE ROLLING. And although this is a DUEL and meant for only two (2) players... There was some issues about when you actually need to roll the dice.

Take the following scenario, it's Player #1 turn. He decides to use his Sorcerer to cast a spell to directly attack his opponent. Now in TRUE magic context, Player #2 should be able to possibly COUNTER the spell. How? Well this involves using the Mystic's abilities to throw up perhaps a "Barrier of Force" which can absorb some of the magic cause by the spell.

Now all this SOUNDS COOL. But there are some issues with how the above scenario actually plays out. First thing is that Player #2 has not rolled his dice... So how can he use his Mystic to counter?!

My idea is simple: BOTH players roll the Poly dice on each player's turn. Player #1 (his turn) chooses his dice first and then decides which cards from his hand he will play or use cards on the table. Then Player #2 chooses his dice SECOND to respond to Player #1 attack.

Personally I think it's a SIMPLE solution and it works. Obviously Player #2 might not get the best roll for the counter he wishes to use - but that is part of rolling dice and the finicky nature of magic.

Did some work and sat down to define a bunch of cards. Both the Mystic and the Enchanter are done (024 cards - 012 per Wizard). There are fourteen (014) unique cards between those two (2) Wizards.

The Conjuror's Minions have been defined; I borrowed the Minions from Crystal Heroes. This is very cool because it adds another layer to the game.

And from the looks of things there are 036 cards done out of 060, 021 unique cards. I'm just missing the names for the Conjuror's cards...

One could argue that I'm 50% done! :)

I'll take a break and watch some Star Trek: TNG!

The number 5 symbolizes God's grace, Goodness and Favor toward humans and is mentioned many times in The Bible. Whereas the number 6 represents Weakness of man, Manifestation of sin, Evils of Satan.

So in terms of numbers 6 has a negative connotation. I did not want to bring elements of "Good" & "Evil" into the game. You control a group of Wizards and you duel your opponents who also controls his group of Wizards.

I have not done much story-building to establish WHY or WHO you are.

Not sure IF I will need to do more in-depth research into pagan rituals of Magic (real incantations and such)... But I'm hoping to focus on the game and then see IF there is a need for a greater backstory.

Well I placed my order for Chessex Translucent Polyhedral dice today!

It's going to cost $8.00 + Shipping for 10 dice! :o

So about $0.80+ per die.

But I chose polys according to their Wizard's COLOR. Therefore Blue = d4, Green = d6, Yellow = d8, Orange = d10 and Red = d12.

I ordered two (2) sets... one for each player. We'll be able to start playtesting once the dice arrive (and obviously I design in Adobe all the 60 cards! :P)

Well I have been thinking a little bit about the "backstory" for the game. It seems to me that I would like to create a "parallel" between "Magic: The Gathering" and my game. Not explicitly but more implicitly.

To do so, requires me to define a period prior to the existence of the "Planeswalkers". And so with not too much effort, because I had already had many hours of thought on the subject matter, I came up with the idea that "Titans" controlled the Astral Planes and would use five (5) Wizards to duel each other for more control of the Astral Planes.

Where the "Planeswalkers" channel the power of the Mana from the Land, the "Titans" are born of the Land. They are an intrinsic part of each Astral Plane and can cross over to other Planes to control more power in the known Universe.

The "Titans" give their team of Wizards the power to conjure beings from different Planes and Lands. And furthermore grant them the ability to defend the "Titan's" interest and very existence.

But the "Titans" are merely apparitions, projections of their Ethereal selves in the plane of the Wizard's choosing. This form is temporal and can be "expelled" from that realm of existence - just like the more mortal beings such as the "Planeswalkers". The use of physical wounds or magical attacks can force a "Titan's" projection to be removed from an Astral Plane until his group of Wizards have enough power to summon him anew.

(Edit - need to step back and think about this some more...)

Note: I will NOT use the term "Planeswalkers" instead I will infer them by saying things like "Those who traveled the planes" or "Beings who would walk through various dimensions of existence". Things like that. Naturally people *might* (not all) understand that I am referring to Magic's "Planeswalkers". But never directly.

And this would oddly mean that the "Era of the Titans" came BEFORE the one of the "Planeswalkers". Which is cool because in truth it is diametric opposite: Magic was designed before Wizardry TCG (WIZ). But the time periods in the games are inverted...

I think this has good potential for making a plausible "backstory" to WIZ.

Anybody care to comment/share their thoughts?