Originally a entry for the Class Creation Contest, where I failed at Phase I (lol), but it doesn't stop be from finishing this class, so here it is.
Introduction
Summoner appears in different Final Fantasy games. They summon badass monsters to fight for them. The choice of hero is pretty obvious, Yuna is one of the most (if not the most) beloved heroin across all FF games, and she is a summoner, of course.
As I want this class be comparable to all existing classes, the heath and the cost of hero power will be ordinary.
Clarification: The hero power is stack-able.
Keyword: Enhance
The keyword of this class is “Enhance”.
Your card gain stated additional effect if hero power is already used in the same turn.
Clarification:
Enhance is not a conditional Battlecry.
Depends on the wording, Enhance effect can be permanent. For example, the Enhance effect of the example card Bahamut last as long as he stands.
Enhance interact with other Keywords, such as "Enhance: Taunt" or "Enhance - Deathrattle". I will make sure the card text and the effect is not over-whelming.
Enhance effect can trigger even if the minion is not played from hand, unless it is "Enhance - Battlecry"
Play Style
Cheating Mana curve by using hero power and class spells.
The hero power says “the next minion you play costs (1) less”, it does not say “this turn”. It is possible to tap the hero power on previous turn and set up for next turn.
Do note that the Enhance effect only trigger when hero power is used on the same turn. Therefore the player need to play around the micro decision. The should-be-staple minion Chocobo add even more complexity.
To Enhance or not to Enhance? - This is an alternative way to ask “value or tempo?”
Same minion can be played in different way to react to different situation.
For example, an Enhancable 4 cost minion can be summoned in the following manner:-
"Sending" set up on turn 2 and played on turn 3;
Play it as a normal 4 cost minion on turn 4; or
"Sending" set up on the turn 5 and summon it on same turn to gain the Enhance effect.
When and how to play minions will be the main decision for the summoner player to make. The class minions are going to be weak in stats-wise in general, but this is compensated by the flexibility and buff provided by "Sending" .
Moreover, Enhance effect is not a guaranteed good stuff, for example, Enhance effect could be “deal 5 damages to both hero”, which is not always welcomed.
Maintaining board control by minion
Summoner will have a very limited direct damage spells for the sake of balancing. Some Enhanced minion might give you a damage spell, it is rather slow however; the damage spell in summoner class will be designed in a "proactive" way rather then "reactive". Hitting enemy face by spell and win the game in such way is impossible for Summoner.
After all, you need to do some trade with your opponent to maintain the board. Good news is, while your spell seldom win you the board by unloading damages, they will enable fantastic trade, if you have minions on board. Yuna does use white magic, so expect some heal from her.
Sacrificing your minions
Two out of three example cards involving killing your own minions, although this is not going to be the backbone of Summoner play style, (like deathrattlecombo to Shaman), it is definitely something to take into account. To maintain board control or take the risk and go for the combo is also an important decision for the player to make.
Win Condition
You want to control the board and most of the time you will be doing so by summoning minions on curve (which can be twisted by using hero power). Then the game is won by putting a big minion on board early or doing the sacrificing combo or both.
Cards
While Yuna is from FF10, most of the artworks are from FF14, because that game is awesome.
Basic Set
There are 11 cards in the basic set, I think I will move Ifrit to the expert set as it is too complex to be a basic card.
Tonberry
The 1 drop that you can only dream of. As a 1 drop, he should be treated as a 3-2, which might be too strong
In FF series, Tonberry threaten player with his Chief knife, then I decide to put the back stab effect for theme reason
Flavor text: Prime example of an aggressive racist
Chocobo
A bad 2 drop in stat wise, but well compensated by the utility it brings, setup for a big play next turn.
After multiple debate and consideration, I have removed the problematic Enhance effect, which also allow me to include him in the basic set
Flavor text: Battlecry: Change the BGM to Chocobo theme
Cactuar
Your anti aggro minion
Combo with Regen
Compare to +1 attack, its power can breaks Divide Shield, kills 1 health minion without over killing and also bypasses taunt.
Flavor text: Cactuar does not do 1000 damages in Hearthstone for balance sake.
Protect
As the name suggest, it protects your minion.
It can also be cast on enemy minion to slow down the aggro.
Flavor text: Number 1 stalling tactic in any round based game.
Regen
Your value spell, also a solid anti aggro tools
Can be used in conjunction with Protect
Come Back!
It require high level of decision making
When used correctly, the player can draw card and regain powerful Battlercry or Enhance at the same time, very strong value play
However, when used wrongly, you lose great tempo
Perhaps a dead card against aggro deck
Raise
A more stable and usable resurrect.
Because you can only raise the minions that died this turn, you must trade to get its effect.
Bare in mind that some Enhance will trigger again if they are revived, such as Odin.
Flavor text: You can revive anything but not Aerith, sounds legit.
Chocobo Race
Despite its cost, it is a late game card
Big value lead to big tempo
2 minions drop is good, 3 is fantastic, 4 is game winning
Can be used together with Fayth
Flavor text: Nobody protest for animal rights in fantasy world.
Earthen Fury
Another representation of summoners' indirect damage
When designing this card, I have Doomsayer in mind, while Doomsayer is counterable and also clear your board, this card doesn't
Your opponent is forced to trade minion because of this card, unless they are trying to threaten lethal
Flavor text: Summoner's rare occasion to ROCK their opponent.
Eternal Calm
Main drawing power
If you already controlled the board, this card can seal the deal
However, if your enemy has control, this is a big tempo loss
Might be OP, 1 card in exchange of its effect could be too much
Flavor text: You know this Eternal Calm is not Eternal, that's why we have Final Fantasy X-2
Expert
Bahamut
Final Fantasy 14's Deathwing (Watch the video below)
Your exclusive 9/8/8 dragon, just like other 9 cost dragons in game, he requires a immediate answer.
You always want this card to be Enhanced, which cost you 10 mana
Answer, Answer, Answer together
Flavor text: You need a great ANSWER for him.
Odin & Zantetsuken
He is not a Legendary because Bahamut already took that spot.
Summoner does have limited access to direct damage, but sometime they have big spell
In FF14, Odin will channel Zantetsuken when he almost die, however if he is allowed to use this spell (in which case you failed the dps check), this spell is an instant group wipe
I want to achieve the same effect, if your opponent do not deal with it on time, they have a big trouble
The outcome is not as bad as letting Andy live for more than one turn. Having said that, 8 damages still threatening
It can Combo with Fayth for 8 damages immediately.
Flavor text: The fight is fast, either you kill him or he will kill you, very quickly.
Fayth
A meta card, it enable so many combo for a big play with limited costs
Final Fantasy
I wish we can have a legendary spell
But you only want to put one copy of this card in your deck anyway
Debatable cards, I does very similar thing compare with Fayth
Perhaps this card should not be printed at all, I want opinion on this card.
Ifrit
Summoner does play around sacrificing your own minion and I want Ifrit to be the second representative of this concept
An reverse Doomguard
If you take advantage of its cost reduction, Fayth can provide a extra value.
Gilgamesh & Excalipoor
His effect could be a Enhance effect, but I decided to go with Battlecry after all
Tools to anti weapon class
It destroy your enemy's weapon and giving them a trash
Enemy gearing another weapon will take 3 damages, not a very big deal, but annoying enough
Primal's Call
Kill your stuff for good card.
Enhance effect will be triggered if it is summoned by this spell, unless it stated as Enhance - Battlecry
I have not enough card for "Primal" tribe, this is my first attempt
Farewell & Reunion
Control orientated card, maybe 6 mana for 17 health is too much, need some debate
Flavor text: Tidus doesn't look very happy when he saw Yuna's dress style changed in such way.
Tidal Wave
In short, it is LOE adventure Lady Nazj'ar's hero power.
Aggro orientated card
You need 2 cards on board to get back the value.... theoretically
Bad Breath
Control card
Changed from "Change all minions' attack to 1"
In FF14, this is the most annoying spell which gives ALL debuff effect
But in Hearth Stone, this only give one debuff randomly
Flavor text: Nobody knows Molboro's diet, because nobody want to investigate that.
Cura
Enable a good trade
1 cost is too low (compare with Paladin Card), 2 cost is too much
Will this card ever see play?
Not every cards need to be awesome anyway, so I will leave it
Esuna
Utility card that should be auto included in any Summoner deck
Behemoth
Like 80% of my cards are mid to late game orientated, this card is trying to help Aggro meta
But it can still be viable in Control deck, should I change it to 3/4/3?
Flavor text: Good news, this card is not belong to Hunter class.
Garuda
A good representation of the Enhance mechanic, Enhance is not a always better option, play your minion accordingly
She control wind, therefore she has two effect representing this power
Return a minion to hand is not as deadly as toxic effect, opponent can also play around its 1 attack, as it cannot kill common 2 cost battlecrier like Dark Peddler. Although I admit removing 2 minion on turn 5 is pretty frustrating to play against.
Flavor text: She is literally a crazy chick.
Moogle
Aggro orientated card
Will "Enhance: Give all your minion +1/+0 instead" be better?
Flavor text: You cannot resist their cuteness!
Naxx
Siren
In FF14 she transform innocent shipcrew into Zombie, which is the starting point of the design
Remove a big minion and providing some indirect heal, or using it effect on your own minion to gain tempo
Sofar, the only hard single removal, which makes Lunatic a stable in every Summoner deck
Flavor text: Music has no color, nationality, race, ethnic group,or gender, even Zombie loves her music.
GvG
Ultima Weapon
Legendary of GvG
Yeah, it is boring, but it fits the theme sooooooo well
In FF 14 the fight with Ultima Weapon, the spirit of Garuda, Titan and Ifrit (which was previously absorbed by the Ultima Weapon) drop as the fight progress
Flavor text: He 1HKOed Garuda, Titan and Ifrit, but his fight is the easiest of all four.
Alexander
Synergy with spare part
Flavor text: Banana for scale. What? Can't you see that banana? Zoom in until you can see a yellow pixel at the center
Ramuh & Judgment Bolt
Belongs to GvG (yeah I need to change the graphic)
A card that is so good that can create a Achtype for Summoner
He really should be a Legendary but that slot is taken by a boring card
Emperor 6 reduce the cost of Judgment Bolt, which also reduces its damage
Enhance is good here, but it is not necessary
A finisher of Arggo summoner deck
Flavor text: Do you require my assistance?
Bombard
This card is too good and has too much synergy with Summoner's play style
Could be used in just any Summoner deck
Is it over costed? kindly comment
Flavor text: Goblin, Explosion, Bombard, Boom Bots, there is no coincidence.
Living Grenada
Utility card that can be useful in various of situation
Buff you damage in aggro deck, an indirect aoe and also one extra damage if cast on enemy
Flavor text: Fire in the hole!
Bullet Time
Give you some bullet to buff your minion or to combo with Alexander
Flavor text: Am I the only one who prefer Yuna in her old cloth?
Coeurl
Aggro minion
Summoner's SI:7
Fat Chocobo
Another aggro minion
The stickiness is real
Should I nerf the stats?
BRM
Everyone's Grudge & Tonberry King
Could be used in different deck, but best fit in Zoo style deck
Combo with Bombard
This pair can actually be a single card and do pretty much the same job. But I wanted that Everyone's Grudge
Midgardsormr & Mini-sormr
Dragon synergy card
It destroy mech because of the Lore
The mini-sormr can trigger your "Holding a dragon" effect. In the end game, it can copy the card text from some big dragon, such as Ysera, Malygos
TGT
Tidus
I want Tidus to be something that can grow.
However, this interpretation could be too strong, as you play him on turn 10, he will immediately become a big minion.
I might need to change the grow part, this card as a whole is not suite with Summoner play style either.
Flames of Truth
Phoenix themed card
When cast on enemy, its "Flame of Forgiveness"; when cast on friendly minion, its "Flame of Rebirth".
Flame of Forgiveness also buff your enemy's minion, so you better make sure it is a GG
Flame of Rebirth has a hidden condition - you need a minion on board, otherwise you cannot get use of the massive destroy effect
If your enemy has more then 1 minion on board and you have none, this card cannot save you
Even if your enemy does have only 1 minion on board, 10 cost removal still suck
Finisher card with some condition, just like bloodlust
Flavor text: Spoiler: I am your GRANDFATHER! NOOOOOoooooooo
The name of the spell is from the below video, it seems it has nothing to do with Phoenix? Go read some lore if you are really interested.
Ravana
Original has + atk at your turn, + health at enemy turn, but it was too complicated (especially the health part, how could your opponent kill Ravana?)
Now work with inspire, switch into Attack mode as you inspire.
Perhaps too OP for the Divine Shield gain, too many free trade.
Might need to nerf it in someway, opinion please
Updated Log:
16/1/2016
Added Raise, Final Fantasy, Gilgamesh, Lunatic Voice, Cura, Esuna, Ramuh, Ultima Weapon & Alexander
17/1/2016
Added Primal's Call, Living Grenade, Farewell & Reunion, Tidal Wave, Behemoth and Moogle
18/1/2016
Expert, Naxx & GvG completed. Alexander reworked. Added Bombard, Bullet Time, Coeurl, Fat Chocobo, Everyone's Grudge & Tonberry King, Flames of Truth.
I like Yuna and FF10, but I think I'm going to have a hearth attack... Where is Ridia??? :( . She should be at least a legendary or something. :P
I rather use the scenario of ff10 as a spell card(which I lacked)
For example, Eternal Calm
BTW, may I have some opinion of the Cards?
You can do both. :P
Also, Siren is broken (it is a far better Keeper of Uldaman when used on enemy minions, for only one more mana, since you have to use your hero power) and Ifrit is very underpowered (see Kor'kron Elite and Armored Warhorse, +2/+1 over the first one for one more mana, but with a downside like that and also another condition, is not worth it).
Oh, you are also missing some of the most famous summons, like Shiva and Leviathan. Are you going to add them later?
Yeah, they are not missed (they appear in FF14 so noway I will forget them lol)
Shiva is LOE which include discover mechanic
Leviathan is BRM
Phoenix, Ravana and Tidus is in TGT, and Tidus will be a Legendary
Nice :). I know this is a bit off topic, but I'm curious, wich Final Fantasy games have you played?
Not much tbh, the most time I spent is FF14. I also played DFF, FF10.
Most of my knowledge of FF series is from reading (lol).
If you really liked Dissidia Final Fantasy and FFX, I recommend you to try other titles in the series too.
I have played Final Fantasy 1,2,4.5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13, Dirge of Cerberus: FF7, Crisis Core: FF7, Mystical Quest, Tactics and Dissidia (and some other titles related to them, like Chocobo Dungeon and even Chocobo Racing for PS1 :P), so I'm a long time fan. But I need to play FF14 yet, and I missed FF11.
The most popular Final Fantasy ever is FF7, and it's acclaimed to be the best one for several good reasons. They are going to realease the first part of the remake on 2017, but you can download the original version from Steam. FF9 is going to be available very soon there too, with upgraded graphics. Of course, it is also a great game and I recommend it. And finally, FF15 is going to be released this year, so I'm very hyped. :)
Oh, you are also missing some of the most famous summons, like Shiva and Leviathan. Are you going to add them later?
Yeah, they are not missed (they appear in FF14 so noway I will forget them lol)
Shiva is LOE which include discover mechanic
Leviathan is BRM
Phoenix, Ravana and Tidus is in TGT, and Tidus will be a Legendary
Nice :). I know this is a bit off topic, but I'm curious, wich Final Fantasy games have you played?
Not much tbh, the most time I spent is FF14. I also played DFF, FF10.
Most of my knowledge of FF series is from reading (lol).
If you really liked Dissidia Final Fantasy and FFX, I recommend you to try other titles in the series too.
I have played Final Fantasy 1,2,4.5,6,7,8,9,10,12,13, Mystical Quest, Tactics and Dissidia (and some other titles related to them, like Chocobo Dungeon and even Chocobo Racing for PS1 :P), so I'm a long time fan. But I need to play FF14 yet, and I missed FF11.
The most popular Final Fantasy ever is FF7, and it's acclaimed to be the best one for several good reasons. They are going to realease the first part of the remake on 2017, but you can download the original version from Steam. FF9 is going to be available very soon there too, with upgraded graphics. Of course, it is also a great game and I recommend it. And finally, FF15 is going to be released this year, so I'm very hyped. :)
Yeah, FF7 is so famous that I know the story and plot without even an active research. I am also considering buy the old FF game iOS version.
FF14 is awesome for few reason :-
It sucked so hard that SE admitted it was a failure at 1.0 version, but how great it reclaimed its glory in 2.0 version, just 8 months later. Some said FF14 is the WoW killed, which was true in some extend.
The way Yoshida P (the new person in charge of FF14) mixed the lore and the version change together (you really should check it out as a FF fans, this was really well done)
The fight with primal are also very enjoyable, my Favorite so far is the Blinding Coil of Bahamut Turn 9 (aka Second Coil of Bahamut Turn 4), in which the mechanic is fun, challenging - and it also present the story of 1.0>2.0 version change within the fight!
Beside the FF talk, let's discussion the newest addition: Gilgamesh and its renowned weapon Excalipoor.
Currently I think this card is on the strong side, with its 5/5/6 stats, the utility is perhaps too much.
Yeah, FF7 is so famous that I know the story and plot without even an active research. I am also considering buy the old FF game iOS version.
FF14 is awesome for few reason :-
It sucked so hard that SE admitted it was a failure at 1.0 version, but how great it reclaimed its glory in 2.0 version, just 8 months later. Some said FF14 is the WoW killed, which was true in some extend.
The way Yoshida P (the new person in charge of FF14) mixed the lore and the version change together (you really should check it out as a FF fans, this was really well done)
The fight with primal are also very enjoyable, my Favorite so far is the Blinding Coil of Bahamut Turn 9 (aka Second Coil of Bahamut Turn 4), in which the mechanic is fun, challenging - and it also present the story of 1.0>2.0 version change within the fight!
The truth is, I never buyed FF14 because the critics totally destroyed it when it was new, and I didn't liked FF13 too much. FF13 is not a bad game, it's not trash, but it's just too different to the others FF titles, and too simple in general compared to them... that disappointed me, since I was expecting a FF game with a classic feel. But, yeah, I have read many other comments on the internet saying that they improved FFXIV by a lot, so I should probably give it a try, and play my first Final Fantasy online. :)
Beside the FF talk, let's discussion the newest addition: Gilgamesh and its renowned weapon Excalipoor.
Currently I think this card is on the strong side, with its 5/5/6 stats, the utility is perhaps too much.
Yeah, Gilgamesh is a bit too powerful, since you can destroy your opponents weapon with the battlecry, and Excalipur also deals 3 damage to him, but the concept is nice and fits the character very well. But let's be honest, Harrison Jones ability is a lot better (yeah, I know, it is a legendary :P), so maybe making it a 5/5 would be ok (since it's a class card and Pit Fighter is very mediocre in constructed).
Class: Summoner
Originally a entry for the Class Creation Contest, where I failed at Phase I (lol), but it doesn't stop be from finishing this class, so here it is.
Introduction
Summoner appears in different Final Fantasy games. They summon badass monsters to fight for them. The choice of hero is pretty obvious, Yuna is one of the most (if not the most) beloved heroin across all FF games, and she is a summoner, of course.
As I want this class be comparable to all existing classes, the heath and the cost of hero power will be ordinary.
Clarification: The hero power is stack-able.
Keyword: Enhance
The keyword of this class is “Enhance”.
Play Style
Cheating Mana curve by using hero power and class spells.
The hero power says “the next minion you play costs (1) less”, it does not say “this turn”. It is possible to tap the hero power on previous turn and set up for next turn.
Do note that the Enhance effect only trigger when hero power is used on the same turn. Therefore the player need to play around the micro decision. The should-be-staple minion Chocobo add even more complexity.
To Enhance or not to Enhance? - This is an alternative way to ask “value or tempo?”
Same minion can be played in different way to react to different situation.
For example, an Enhancable 4 cost minion can be summoned in the following manner:-
When and how to play minions will be the main decision for the summoner player to make. The class minions are going to be weak in stats-wise in general, but this is compensated by the flexibility and buff provided by "Sending" .
Moreover, Enhance effect is not a guaranteed good stuff, for example, Enhance effect could be “deal 5 damages to both hero”, which is not always welcomed.
Maintaining board control by minion
Summoner will have a very limited direct damage spells for the sake of balancing. Some Enhanced minion might give you a damage spell, it is rather slow however; the damage spell in summoner class will be designed in a "proactive" way rather then "reactive". Hitting enemy face by spell and win the game in such way is impossible for Summoner.
After all, you need to do some trade with your opponent to maintain the board. Good news is, while your spell seldom win you the board by unloading damages, they will enable fantastic trade, if you have minions on board. Yuna does use white magic, so expect some heal from her.
Sacrificing your minions
Two out of three example cards involving killing your own minions, although this is not going to be the backbone of Summoner play style, (like deathrattle combo to Shaman), it is definitely something to take into account. To maintain board control or take the risk and go for the combo is also an important decision for the player to make.
Win Condition
You want to control the board and most of the time you will be doing so by summoning minions on curve (which can be twisted by using hero power). Then the game is won by putting a big minion on board early or doing the sacrificing combo or both.
Cards
While Yuna is from FF10, most of the artworks are from FF14, because that game is awesome.
Basic Set
There are 11 cards in the basic set, I think I will move Ifrit to the expert set as it is too complex to be a basic card.
Tonberry
Chocobo
Cactuar
Protect
Regen
Come Back!
Raise
Chocobo Race
Earthen Fury
Eternal Calm
Expert
Bahamut
Odin & Zantetsuken
Fayth
Final Fantasy
Ifrit
Gilgamesh & Excalipoor
Primal's Call
Farewell & Reunion
Tidal Wave
Bad Breath
Cura
Esuna
Behemoth
Garuda
Moogle
Naxx
Siren
GvG
Ultima Weapon
Alexander
Ramuh & Judgment Bolt
Bombard
Living Grenada
Bullet Time
Coeurl
Fat Chocobo
BRM
Everyone's Grudge & Tonberry King
Midgardsormr & Mini-sormr
TGT
Tidus
Flames of Truth
Ravana
Updated Log:
16/1/2016
Added Raise, Final Fantasy, Gilgamesh, Lunatic Voice, Cura, Esuna, Ramuh, Ultima Weapon & Alexander
17/1/2016
Added Primal's Call, Living Grenade, Farewell & Reunion, Tidal Wave, Behemoth and Moogle
18/1/2016
Expert, Naxx & GvG completed. Alexander reworked. Added Bombard, Bullet Time, Coeurl, Fat Chocobo, Everyone's Grudge & Tonberry King, Flames of Truth.
24/1/2016
Added Midgardsormr, Tidus and Ravana
Nice (may need to change bad breath)
I think there is a misunderstanding lol
Each minion either gets Frozen, Silenced, HP changed to 1 OR Attack changed to 1.
The wording I used is from below.
Thanks for pointing out the confusion!
its still kinda unfair to make a card with that much differences dispite the flavor.
enhance-o may do something simlar but bad breath may just be too rng for me
I like Yuna and FF10, but I think I'm going to have a hearth attack... Where is Ridia??? :( . She should be at least a legendary or something. :P
What if Siren is a spell instead?
A 4 cost spell which change enemy minion into a zombie chow.
Regard to Ifrit, I think Doomguard is a better comparison.
Doomguard does not punish you if you do not have hand while Ifrit does if you do not have minion, perhaps this is a bigger problem.
Thank you for reply!
Oh, you are also missing some of the most famous summons, like Shiva and Leviathan. Are you going to add them later?
I love how you chose Yuna as the Summoner poster girl. >///< I'm liking the thread. Will there be more?
Beside the FF talk, let's discussion the newest addition: Gilgamesh and its renowned weapon Excalipoor.
Currently I think this card is on the strong side, with its 5/5/6 stats, the utility is perhaps too much.