Possible Upgrade to MM?
Posted: 05 Sep 2015, 19:07
I was considering a way to upgrade the MM function so it can be used on cards without crippling the AI. The AI basically never activates the MM abilities, so we're stuck largely with either using autotap mana sources so we can play against those decks using the AI, or using MM sources so we can properly use those sources but being unable to really play against them.
My current idea is to change the way the cards are coded so that if they're controlled by an AI player, then they gain the auto-tap ability.
However, I wasn't sure if that would cause problems. My guess is no since basic lands are given both abilities. The way they work, I wouldn't expect it to be a problem.
But then I considered that some lands such as Mishra's Workshop restrict how the mana can be used. And I had an idea for how to handle that mana ONLY if they're controlled by an AI. At the beginning of each phase, if the land is untapped, then produce the mana. When any of that mana is used, tap the land that made it. So, at the beginning of the main phase, Mishra's Workshop automatically creates , and that mana is restricted to only artifacts. At the end of the phase, that mana will disappear, and at the beginning of the next phase, 3 new mana tokens will be made. If at any point any of the mana is used, then Mishra's Workshop is tapped so it won't produce any more mana tokens until it becomes untapped again, leaving the (possibly) remaining 2 mana tokens to be used that phase until the mana is cleaned up.
I'm only really worried about mana sources that produce multiple mana such as Sol Ring. Sources that only produce 1 mana aren't too bad. They can be set up to be auto-tap without typically causing major problems.
However, I was also considering how autotap sources work when they can produce different kinds of mana, such as Veinfire Borderpost. As it stands, that enters the battlefield producing , and the AI isn't allowed to change that because it could lead to the AI doing that infinitely. But I was considering it, and it may be better to either give it the option at the beginning of each turn, or maybe just make it a once-per-turn ability if it's controlled by the AI.
I'm asking anyone who sees this for their thoughts on the subject, but mainly you, Riiak, since you're obviously the most knowledgeable of us when it comes to mana.
My current idea is to change the way the cards are coded so that if they're controlled by an AI player, then they gain the auto-tap ability.
However, I wasn't sure if that would cause problems. My guess is no since basic lands are given both abilities. The way they work, I wouldn't expect it to be a problem.
But then I considered that some lands such as Mishra's Workshop restrict how the mana can be used. And I had an idea for how to handle that mana ONLY if they're controlled by an AI. At the beginning of each phase, if the land is untapped, then produce the mana. When any of that mana is used, tap the land that made it. So, at the beginning of the main phase, Mishra's Workshop automatically creates , and that mana is restricted to only artifacts. At the end of the phase, that mana will disappear, and at the beginning of the next phase, 3 new mana tokens will be made. If at any point any of the mana is used, then Mishra's Workshop is tapped so it won't produce any more mana tokens until it becomes untapped again, leaving the (possibly) remaining 2 mana tokens to be used that phase until the mana is cleaned up.
I'm only really worried about mana sources that produce multiple mana such as Sol Ring. Sources that only produce 1 mana aren't too bad. They can be set up to be auto-tap without typically causing major problems.
However, I was also considering how autotap sources work when they can produce different kinds of mana, such as Veinfire Borderpost. As it stands, that enters the battlefield producing , and the AI isn't allowed to change that because it could lead to the AI doing that infinitely. But I was considering it, and it may be better to either give it the option at the beginning of each turn, or maybe just make it a once-per-turn ability if it's controlled by the AI.
I'm asking anyone who sees this for their thoughts on the subject, but mainly you, Riiak, since you're obviously the most knowledgeable of us when it comes to mana.