An Idea: Propaganda / Ghostly Prison

by **jacque** » 18 Sep 2013, 08:22

I read it somewhere that it is quite impossible to code these cards: Propaganda / Ghostly Prison. I have an idea how it might get it done, but I don't know the proper arguments for it. Would really appreciate it if someone could spend some time to look into this... *It might not work*

IDEA:
- Propaganda in play, continuous effect.
- After ending 1st main phase? or before combat phase, Propaganda checks the number of untapped lands opponent controls; count number of lands.
- Count / 2 (rounded down) = the maximum number of creatures that opponent can declare as attackers.
- Opponent gets to choose "up to" the maximum number of attacking creatures (something like Frost Breath's ability?)... for each creature chosen, taps 2 lands of opponent's choice.
- Propaganda allows those creatures to attack, else, end combat phase.

What you think? I know it's easy to say it here, but I also recognize how hard it is to code, especially for someone like me...

Thanks for looking!

by **thefiremind** » 18 Sep 2013, 08:29

That's something similar to what I did for DotP2013, but it gives an unfair advantage to the defending player: you see the attacker paying or not paying at the beginning of combat, then you have time to do something before attackers are declared. So, for example, if you are holding a Frost Breath and see the attacker paying nothing, you know you can still save your Frost Breath for later.
The problem is that we can't make something happen during the declaration of the attackers, but only at the beginning of combat (too early) or after attackers are declared (too late).

by **jacque** » 18 Sep 2013, 08:39

Hmmm... is there a way to "intervene" during the "Declaring Attackers" phase? I notice the game pauses a while during the "Declaring Attackers" phase in which I can do nothing during that phase... Thanks again TFM =)

EDIT: Sorry just read your update regarding it... Now I understand =(

by **Kieran** » 19 Sep 2013, 01:30

Actually jacque, I use Ghostly Prison in a few of my {W}

2014 decks but to be honest, and as TFM pointed out, it totally cripples the AI / your opponent. Sometime the AI is smart enough to pay the imposed cost after sufficient mana ramp but most of the time it decides that laying creature cards it won't be able to attack with is prudent. However, I can attest to the fact that the enchantment does draw instant removal from the AI decks with the ability to do so. And though it can't be implemented properly, here are a few screenshots to show the functionality of Ghostly Prison in game.

: I decided to replace the art.

: The maximum number of creatures that can attack you will be displayed.

: The maximum cost for all creatures able to you attack you is shown also.

: The mana cost necessary for all your opponents creatures to attack will be displayed.

: If the AI decides to pay the cost for creatures to attack it will be shown.

It's really unfortunate they can't be used properly because I wanted to request Sphere of Safety for an enchantment deck. But on the plus side regarding Ghostly Prison, I like that it gives on-screen information about what can be done pertaining to it while the card is in play. I'm going to adopt this approach with some cards for the Comic Mod. As for Propaganda, I suspect the problems would be the same. Lastly, here is the XML and custom TDX art for Ghostly Prison if you would like to witness it's devastating power for yourself. Enjoy the omnipotence!

by **Kieran** » 19 Sep 2013, 03:07

I could only upload 5 attachments so the XML and TDX wasn't included in the above post. Here is the zip.

: This image is used for my blue and white deck.

: And this one is used for my mono white deck.

: Someone asked me to show a close up of the art on the Plains card so here it is.

: I'll also include this close up of the custom Damnation art as well.

by **jacque** » 19 Sep 2013, 03:39

Thanks Kieran... I've been longing for this card for quite some time... And I did notice the side effects of having it in play back in DotP2013, the one TFM coded... There were times AI would just tap the lands out and not attacking at all, frustrates me a lot... I wanna look at what u've done and learn how to do those visual messages thingie, it's cool... =) Thanks again!