What strikes me the most about this card is that it contains a sentence using a verb in the indicative mood, where the card itself is the implied subject: "[This card] Gains..."
Hearthstone text is always(?) written in the imperative mood, even though using the imperative mood doesn't make sense when the sentence describes an effect coming from a minion or a weapon. (Ex.: "At the end of your turn, deal 1 damage to all enemy minions." The verb is in the imperative mood, the subject is "you", but the effect comes from the card Despicable Dreadlord, not the player or the player's hero.)
They had to make a concession to traditional English grammar in order to clarify what the card does. It's a step in the right direction.
Even so, the text doesn't really explain how the card works...
still doesn't change the fact that it can be "when added to your hand" Yogg-Saron will cast it, but casting it doesn't add it to your hand does it? With the line of "in your hand" when you play the card, it's "out of your hand" which might indicate that bonus effect can be removed. You sympathize with the confusion it might brew? I understand your point, and I know what it does now, but I still think the text is written poorly.
It doesn't say "when this is in your hand" it says "gains a bonus effect in your hand" which means it has a bonus effect whilst being in your hand, but not anywhere else other than your hand. So it makes you think, "Oh, so it probably has a bonus effect IN YOUR HAND but what happens when it's NOT IN YOUR HAND (LIKE PLAYING THE CARD, WHEN THE CARD IS IN PLAY)" that's why I suggested it being "When added to your hand" because it explains the bonus effect getting added when it JOINS your hand, and will stick that way. "gains a bonus effect in your hand" doesn't make sense. It's basically the type of thing that's written on Molten Blade and Shifter Zerus. You'll probably understand if you know a bit of magic the gathering, magic was quite strict with ability text to avoid confusion as much as possible. I'm confused why you don't agree with me, how the text could be "When added to your hand" why object?
"gains...in your hand" does not imply "loses....when not in your hand." Because that wouldn't make any sense. Why give a card an effect only while it's in your hand? Just to be shiny and confusing? "When added to your hand" could just as easily imply that it loses the effect "when taken out of your hand."
Look at the card name "unidentified elixir." It's unidentified until you look at it up close (as in, when it's in your hand). How is this confusing? You shadow visions it, it's just the base card until you actually put it in your hand.
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Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.
The card "Unidentified Elixir" actually becomes a different card when it's in your hand. The card will not have the name "Unidentified Elixir." It will be a unique, uncollectible card. At least, that's what I understand when I look at the OP. I imagine there will be some kind of animation showing the replacement of "Unidentified Elixir" with the uncollectible card of a different name. Without knowing about the uncollectible elixirs, I would have guessed that the "Gains a random ability" text would be replaced with a different text on the same card, kind of like how the "Summon a X/X Jade Golem text" changes on jade cards.
The uncollectible elixirs will not be available for viewing in the card collection, which will further obscure the mechanics of the card for those not connected to the internet subscribed to forums.
I'm not saying that there is a better way to write this card's ability, but it does require outside knowledge to fully understand. Maybe: "Give a minion +2/+2. When this enters your hand, replace it with a random elixir." Of course, all the elixirs also give a minion +2/+2.
The card "Unidentified Elixir" actually becomes a different card when it's in your hand. The card will not have the name "Unidentified Elixir." It will be a unique, uncollectible card. At least, that's what I understand when I look at the OP. I imagine there will be some kind of animation showing the replacement of "Unidentified Elixir" with the uncollectible card of a different name. Without knowing about the uncollectible elixirs, I would have guessed that the "Gains a random ability" text would be replaced with a different text on the same card, kind of like how the "Summon a X/X Jade Golem text" changes on jade cards.
The uncollectible elixirs will not be available for viewing in the card collection, which will further obscure the mechanics of the card for those not connected to the internet subscribed to forums.
I'm not saying that there is a better way to write this card's ability, but it does require outside knowledge to fully understand. Maybe: "Give a minion +2/+2. When this enters your hand, replace it with a random elixir." Of course, all the elixirs also give a minion +2/+2.
edit: part of the fun is playing a card because you're not sure exactly what it does, and then seeing....what it does. Maybe there's some sort of animation when you draw it so you can see it become an identified elixir.
either original djinni gets +2/+2 then a copy of 1/1 summoned then the first copy gets the buff and a 1/1 copy of it summoned and so on till you fill the board, that is going to give you huge value like you going to have 1 6/8 and 6 3/3s basically 24 attack on the board and next turn buff them for lethal maybe....
Or the interaction going to be: first djinni gets buffed and it summons 1/1 and the copy isn't buffed and neither duplicated.
i guess i'm wrong with the first possible interaction, if someone see this correct me if you can please.
It's probably going to be the second interaction as blizzard changed it such that "after" effects only trigger if the minion was there before the spell was cast.
This card is bad to put into deck seriously this is basically a 2/2 minion with random effect for 3 mana and you cannot play this on an empty board. this is like a small nerf to Lyra
So, if uncertainty of text is an acceptable thing in Hearthstone, why couldn't they just write "Becomes identified in your hand"? Then we would be like "Oh, so this is what is meant by being identified *looks at extra effect*" Hearthstone always print a card or two that causes cringe, this was one of them for this expansion. This "bonus effect" thing is pretty bogus (sorry for my words) since unless you have some out-side knowledge (as someone mentioned) you don't know if this bonus effect is always the same effect, or multiple different ones. I don't know, Kaladin. You can oppose me all you want but that doesn't change the fact that something about this card feels incomplete and uneasy. By the way, I like Ysera.
How does this card work? Does the extra effect appear when you draw the card? Does it appear when you cast it? Does it randomize every turn?
All the effects are extremely strong except for lifesteal.
The card transforms upon being drawn from your deck. It only transforms once. If this ends up in your opening hand, you don't get a bonus effect. Same if you try to get this from Shadow Visions.
You sure it doesn't get a bonus effect? I don't think the bonus comes from the draw, it comes from the being in your hand. Isn't that the way they explained it?
So, if uncertainty of text is an acceptable thing in Hearthstone, why couldn't they just write "Becomes identified in your hand"? Then we would be like "Oh, so this is what is meant by being identified *looks at extra effect*" Hearthstone always print a card or two that causes cringe, this was one of them for this expansion. This "bonus effect" thing is pretty bogus (sorry for my words) since unless you have some out-side knowledge (as someone mentioned) you don't know if this bonus effect is always the same effect, or multiple different ones. I don't know, Kaladin. You can oppose me all you want but that doesn't change the fact that something about this card feels incomplete and uneasy. By the way, I like Ysera.
You think "becomes identified in your hand" is more clear than "gains a bonus effect in your hand"?
Calling the effect 'bogus, since.....you don't know if this bonus effect is...the same or...different' is ridiculous because you can say the same thing about any card/minion that adds something variable to your hand. Lich King is bad because you don't know what you're getting. Primordial Glyph is bad because the card you discover is random. See where I'm going?
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Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.
either original djinni gets +2/+2 then a copy of 1/1 summoned then the first copy gets the buff and a 1/1 copy of it summoned and so on till you fill the board, that is going to give you huge value like you going to have 1 6/8 and 6 3/3s basically 24 attack on the board and next turn buff them for lethal maybe....
Or the interaction going to be: first djinni gets buffed and it summons 1/1 and the copy isn't buffed and neither duplicated.
i guess i'm wrong with the first possible interaction, if someone see this correct me if you can please.
It's probably going to be the second interaction as blizzard changed it such that "after" effects only trigger if the minion was there before the spell was cast.
So far, Unidentified Elixir carried me through couple of games in my Yogg-Lyra spell Priest. Especially good on Priest of the Feast. Any modification can be benefitial. I like the card, even though it might appear as a bit dull and RNG - based.
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What strikes me the most about this card is that it contains a sentence using a verb in the indicative mood, where the card itself is the implied subject: "[This card] Gains..."
Hearthstone text is always(?) written in the imperative mood, even though using the imperative mood doesn't make sense when the sentence describes an effect coming from a minion or a weapon. (Ex.: "At the end of your turn, deal 1 damage to all enemy minions." The verb is in the imperative mood, the subject is "you", but the effect comes from the card Despicable Dreadlord, not the player or the player's hero.)
They had to make a concession to traditional English grammar in order to clarify what the card does. It's a step in the right direction.
Even so, the text doesn't really explain how the card works...
still doesn't change the fact that it can be "when added to your hand" Yogg-Saron will cast it, but casting it doesn't add it to your hand does it?
With the line of "in your hand" when you play the card, it's "out of your hand" which might indicate that bonus effect can be removed.
You sympathize with the confusion it might brew? I understand your point, and I know what it does now, but I still think the text is written poorly.
I am confused as to how "when this in your hand" is even remotely confusing at all.
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It doesn't say "when this is in your hand" it says "gains a bonus effect in your hand" which means it has a bonus effect whilst being in your hand, but not anywhere else other than your hand. So it makes you think, "Oh, so it probably has a bonus effect IN YOUR HAND but what happens when it's NOT IN YOUR HAND (LIKE PLAYING THE CARD, WHEN THE CARD IS IN PLAY)" that's why I suggested it being "When added to your hand" because it explains the bonus effect getting added when it JOINS your hand, and will stick that way. "gains a bonus effect in your hand" doesn't make sense. It's basically the type of thing that's written on Molten Blade and Shifter Zerus. You'll probably understand if you know a bit of magic the gathering, magic was quite strict with ability text to avoid confusion as much as possible. I'm confused why you don't agree with me, how the text could be "When added to your hand" why object?
"gains...in your hand" does not imply "loses....when not in your hand." Because that wouldn't make any sense. Why give a card an effect only while it's in your hand? Just to be shiny and confusing? "When added to your hand" could just as easily imply that it loses the effect "when taken out of your hand."
Look at the card name "unidentified elixir." It's unidentified until you look at it up close (as in, when it's in your hand). How is this confusing? You shadow visions it, it's just the base card until you actually put it in your hand.
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Why it's confusing:
"Bonus ability" is not defined.
The card "Unidentified Elixir" actually becomes a different card when it's in your hand. The card will not have the name "Unidentified Elixir." It will be a unique, uncollectible card. At least, that's what I understand when I look at the OP. I imagine there will be some kind of animation showing the replacement of "Unidentified Elixir" with the uncollectible card of a different name. Without knowing about the uncollectible elixirs, I would have guessed that the "Gains a random ability" text would be replaced with a different text on the same card, kind of like how the "Summon a X/X Jade Golem text" changes on jade cards.
The uncollectible elixirs will not be available for viewing in the card collection, which will further obscure the mechanics of the card for those not
connected to the internetsubscribed to forums.I'm not saying that there is a better way to write this card's ability, but it does require outside knowledge to fully understand. Maybe: "Give a minion +2/+2. When this enters your hand, replace it with a random elixir." Of course, all the elixirs also give a minion +2/+2.
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This card is bad to put into deck seriously this is basically a 2/2 minion with random effect for 3 mana and you cannot play this on an empty board. this is like a small nerf to Lyra
I dunno, the 1/1 copy or death rattle is really strong WITH Lyra.
So, if uncertainty of text is an acceptable thing in Hearthstone, why couldn't they just write "Becomes identified in your hand"?
Then we would be like "Oh, so this is what is meant by being identified *looks at extra effect*"
Hearthstone always print a card or two that causes cringe, this was one of them for this expansion.
This "bonus effect" thing is pretty bogus (sorry for my words) since unless you have some out-side knowledge (as someone mentioned) you don't know if this bonus effect is always the same effect, or multiple different ones.
I don't know, Kaladin. You can oppose me all you want but that doesn't change the fact that something about this card feels incomplete and uneasy.
By the way, I like Ysera.
I really like! I think it will works with priest
Il Mostro, from my hearth, to your kitchen.
Arrivederci
Dafuq does this card? I can't even...
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yeah you right i just remembered the change.
Zoo priest becoming a thing.
Priest probably will have 3-4 playable archtypes this expansion. Yay exactly what we need /sarcasm
Great for aggro/inner fire priest with the unicorn.
So far, Unidentified Elixir carried me through couple of games in my Yogg-Lyra spell Priest. Especially good on Priest of the Feast. Any modification can be benefitial. I like the card, even though it might appear as a bit dull and RNG - based.