Finally had time to look this over

Somebody Made a Harry Potter MTG Set by sjosten on 2016-11-29 20:39:00 UTC Reply

Linkage: https://m.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/5fg3mr/harrypottercustom_set/

Finally had time to look this over by Phobos on 2016-11-30 17:47:00 UTC Reply

So, I am coming at this from two directions: 1) As a HP fan 2) as a semi-professional MTG player.

As an HP fan, I think the cards are pretty flavorful. I like most of the color combinations for the groups (Blue/Black for Slytherin, for instance), however, they made all of the groups allied colors except Gryffindor (Red/White), which seems odd to me. I think the hot headed Gryffindors should have been Red/Green, which would push the mild-mannered Hufflepuffs to Green/White (which doesn't have a group yet). I also think they could have gone further with adding characters in different colors. A lot of our Legendary Creatures are mono-colored when they could be more. The more important they are, the more colors they should be. Make Voldemort Red/Black/Blue (combining the colors for Death Eaters and Slytherins). Make Harry Red/Green/White. Hermione should be Blue/White and Cedric should just be Green. Also, we need more Weasleys, ghosts, and teachers.

Now, looking at it from the perspective of an actual magic set, this thing is a mess. There is no real difference between most of the groups. The whole thing kind of feels muddy. I think this comes from the fact that all of the mechanics in the set are pretty evenly spread across all colors. Also, the power level of cards goes straight from laughably weak to hilariously overpowered (looking at you Invisibility Cloak) with almost nothing in between. It needs to be totally rebalanced, basically.

Also, "Common Room" has an Uncommon rarity level. That's messed up.

I guess my overall impression is this: With work, I think this could be a pretty interesting set, but it is going to take a lot of work.

-Phobos

Totally Agree by sjosten on 2016-11-30 18:54:00 UTC Reply

Except on the Hufflepuff thing, since I think they represent a rare opportunity to show Red as compassionate and helpful instead of the anger we usually get out of them. The rest of it though, we're on the same page.

Honestly, I figured this would be a good community to reach out to so this guy could get some legitimate concrit instead of reddit's general aura of snark.

On Hufflepuff by Phobos on 2016-11-30 20:59:00 UTC Reply

I can kind of see the "Red = Compassion" thing, but I feel like they more closely align with Green/White which is a combination that speaks of things like "Community" and "Alone we are small; together we move mountains." That seems like a more Hufflepuff sentiment. On the other hand, we have Green/Red which speaks of "Wild passions" and "Act now; think later." Much more Gryfindor, I feel.

In reality, I think all the Houses should have been based in White. Hufflepuff would be Green/White, Gryfindor would be Red/White, Ravenclaw Blue/White, and Slytherin Black/White. In all cases the White is for the innocence of children and the other color is for their major trait (Black for Ambition, for instance). That leaves other color combinations for other things. For instance:

Red/Green: Forbidden Forest (which would replace Hufflepuff Greenhouse, btw). Spiders and Centaurs abound. Just be careful; there might be Giants or Dragons running around, too.

Red/Blue: Ghosts and Goblins. All sorts of magical shenanigans going on. Extra fun when you introduce Peeves as a Red/Blue Legendary Creature.

Blue/Green: Academics. Lupin is already Blue/Green, which helps. Could add in a few more. That McGonagall didn't make the cut is beyond me, but either Blue or Green would work for her. Generic teachers could also be added.

Lots of ground to be covered here, really.

-Phobos