Card Development Questions

[ArsenalNut]

I have a couple newbie questions. I haven't worked on an Open Source project before.

I am planning to start learning the code structure of Forge by mostly card scripting and then looking for low hanging fruit code changes to make cards script-able. For example, I was able to make Cloud Key script-able by adding couple lines to the code that handles the ChangeCost keyword so that ChosenType is supported.

Now that I am setup to push changes to Git, is it better to add the cards myself or still post the card code in the Card Contributions topic? If I make a code change and its tested and working, do I just push it back into the master branch? Other than making a comment when I commit a change, should I post the change in this topic?

[Sloth]

I have a couple newbie questions. I haven't worked on an Open Source project before.

I am planning to start learning the code structure of Forge by mostly card scripting and then looking for low hanging fruit code changes to make cards script-able. For example, I was able to make Cloud Key script-able by adding couple lines to the code that handles the ChangeCost keyword so that ChosenType is supported.

Now that I am setup to push changes to Git, is it better to add the cards myself or still post the card code in the Card Contributions topic? If I make a code change and its tested and working, do I just push it back into the master branch? Other than making a comment when I commit a change, should I post the change in this topic?

You can just push it to the master branch. Discussing changes is only necessary, when you are unsure or the implementation is disputable.

Welcome aboard ArsenalNut.

[friarsol]

But, if all 3 are in play, and I use Crown of Empires, the Stack get stuck with "1 to Resolve", but nothing visibly on the stack.

Does anyone have insight into this problem?

I'll try to test these tonight. Mind posting the other two, so I don't have to rescript them?

[ArsenalNut]

More newbie questions. I am confused about the difference between RemRandomDeck
and RemAIDeck. I couldn't find a description of RemRandomDeck in the wiki and the description of RemAIDeck seems to overlap with what I think RemRandomDeck means.

Here's what I assume they were used for.
1)RemRandomDeck - I was putting this on cards that have creature type or color effects. I assumed that setting this true means the card won't show up in a random decks, but this doesn't mean necessarily mean the AI can't use them in a theme deck.

2)RemAIDeck - I assume this is for cards that the AI can't use so you don't want them is random decks for the AI. The end of the description in the wiki "and cards that are too narrow for random decks" sounds like what RemRandomDeck is suppose to do. Does RemAIDeck really effect random decks for the Human?

What is the difference between the two flags? When do you use one versus the other?

[Sloth]

More newbie questions. I am confused about the difference between RemRandomDeck
and RemAIDeck. I couldn't find a description of RemRandomDeck in the wiki and the description of RemAIDeck seems to overlap with what I think RemRandomDeck means.

Here's what I assume they were used for.
1)RemRandomDeck - I was putting this on cards that have creature type or color effects. I assumed that setting this true means the card won't show up in a random decks, but this doesn't mean necessarily mean the AI can't use them in a theme deck.

2)RemAIDeck - I assume this is for cards that the AI can't use so you don't want them is random decks for the AI. The end of the description in the wiki "and cards that are too narrow for random decks" sounds like what RemRandomDeck is suppose to do. Does RemAIDeck really effect random decks for the Human?

What is the difference between the two flags? When do you use one versus the other?

Your deduction is right. RemAIDeck does no longer affect human decks. We split this not long ago and the wiki is out of date here.

[Chris H.]

Your deduction is right. RemAIDeck does no longer affect human decks. We split this not long ago and the wiki is out of date here.

`
The SVar section of the wiki is in need of updating. I moved the material that you placed in that one topic here over to the wiki a few months ago. Been too busy to go back and make some refinements.

[ArsenalNut]

Another new to me SVar, BuffedBy, popped up when I was looking at adding a new Sliver creature. What is this SVar used for?

[friarsol]

Another new to me SVar, BuffedBy, popped up when I was looking at adding a new Sliver creature. What is this SVar used for?

This one is on the Wiki:

http://www.slightlymagic.net/wiki/Forge_API#SVars

SVar:BuffedBy:[ValidCards]

If a permanent with this SVar is on the battlefield under its control the AI will play the specified cards in Main1. Applicable for creatures with a P/T setting static ability (Kithkin Rabble) or additional buffes (Radiant, Archangel).

[ArsenalNut]

I am trying to test my script of Molten Disaster and I think there is a bug in how Split second works. I tried to test the kicked Split second by casting Lightning Bolt and using Prodigal Pyromancer's activated ability right after I cast Molten Disaster. Both were put on to the stack and resolved before Molten Disaster resolved. To make sure the problem wasn't my script, I cast Sudden Shock to kill my own Prodigal Pyromancer then cast Giant Growth to save it. This shouldn't save my creature because the Sudden Shock with split second should resolve before Giant Growth but it does in Forge 1.1.1-SNAPSHOT.

Here's my script for Molten Disaster

| Open

Name:Molten Disaster
ManaCost:X R R
Types:Sorcery
Text:If CARDNAME was kicked, it has split second. (As long as this spell is on the stack, players can't cast spells or activate abilities that aren't mana abilities.)\r\n\r\n
A:SP$ DamageAll | Cost$ X R R | ValidCards$ Creature.withoutFlying | ValidPlayers$ Each | NumDmg$ X | SpellDescription$ CARDNAME deals X damage to each creature without flying and each player.
A:SP$ DamageAll | Cost$ X R R R | ValidCards$ Creature.withoutFlying | ValidPlayers$ Each | NumDmg$ X | SpellDescription$ Kicker R (You may pay an additional R as you cast this spell.) | SubAbility$ DBKicker
SVar:DBKicker:DB$ Pump | Cost$ 0 | AddKeyword$ Split second | Defined$ Self
SVar:X:Count$xPaid
SVar:Rarity:Rare
SVar:Picture:http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/molten_disaster.jpg
SetInfo:FUT|Rare|http://magiccards.info/scans/en/fut/102.jpg
End

[friarsol]

I am trying to test my script of Molten Disaster and I think there is a bug in how Split second works.

You're right. The place that checks the Split second keyword is looking for "Split Second" where the keyworded ability is "Split second" I'm not at a place that I can fix this so maybe someone else can. It's in MagicStack.java and the functions are incrementSplitSecond() and decrementSplitSecond().

[Sloth]

I am trying to test my script of Molten Disaster and I think there is a bug in how Split second works.

You're right. The place that checks the Split second keyword is looking for "Split Second" where the keyworded ability is "Split second" I'm not at a place that I can fix this so maybe someone else can. It's in MagicStack.java and the functions are incrementSplitSecond() and decrementSplitSecond().

Fixed!

[jeffwadsworth]

Consume Strength is not scriptable yet. If we had a way to get the first ability to resolve completely, it should be doable.

| Open

Name:Consume Strength
ManaCost:1 B G
Types:Instant
Text:no text
A:SP$ Pump | Cost$ 1 B G | ValidTgts$ Creature | TgtPrompt$ Select target creature | RememberTargets$ True | ForgetOtherTargets$ True | NumAtt$ +2 | NumDef$ +2 | SubAbility$ DBPumpCurse
A:DBPumpCurse:DB$Pump | ValidTgts$ Creature.IsRemembered+Other | TgtPrompt$ Select a different target creature | NumAtt$ -2 | NumDef$ -2
SVar:Rarity:Common
SVar:Picture:http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/consume_strength.jpg
End

[jeffwadsworth]

Elephant Resurgence. Is there a way to get something like this to work currently?

| Open

Name:Elephant Resurgence
ManaCost:1 G
Types:Sorcery
Text:no text
A:SP$ Token | Cost$ 1 G | TokenAmount$ 1 | TokenName$ Elephant | TokenTypes$ Creature,Elephant | TokenOwner$ You | TokenColors$ Green | TokenPower$ X | TokenToughness$ X | TokenTriggers$ TrigPump | TokenSVars$ X | SubAbility$ DBComputerToken | SpellDescription$ Each player puts a green Elephant creature token onto the battlefield. Those creatures have "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creature cards in its controller's graveyard."
SVar:TrigPump:Mode$ Continuous | Affected$ Self | SetPower$ X | SetToughness$ X | CharacteristicDefining$ True
SVar:TrigPump2:Mode$ Continuous | Affected$ Self | SetPower$ Y | SetToughness$ Y | CharacteristicDefining$ True
SVar:DBComputerToken:DB$Token | TokenAmount$ 1 | TokenName$ Elephant | TokenTypes$ Creature,Elephant | TokenOwner$ Opponent | TokenColors$ Green | TokenPower$ Y | TokenToughness$ Y | TokenTriggers$ TrigPump2 | TokenSVars$ Y
SVar:X:Count$InYourYard.Creature
SVar:Y:Count$InOppYard.Creature
SVar:Rarity:Rare
SVar:Picture:http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/elephant_resurgence.jpg
End

[ArsenalNut]

Elephant Resurgence. Is there a way to get something like this to work currently?

| Open

Name:Elephant Resurgence
ManaCost:1 G
Types:Sorcery
Text:no text
A:SP$ Token | Cost$ 1 G | TokenAmount$ 1 | TokenName$ Elephant | TokenTypes$ Creature,Elephant | TokenOwner$ You | TokenColors$ Green | TokenPower$ X | TokenToughness$ X | TokenTriggers$ TrigPump | TokenSVars$ X | SubAbility$ DBComputerToken | SpellDescription$ Each player puts a green Elephant creature token onto the battlefield. Those creatures have "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creature cards in its controller's graveyard."
SVar:TrigPump:Mode$ Continuous | Affected$ Self | SetPower$ X | SetToughness$ X | CharacteristicDefining$ True
SVar:TrigPump2:Mode$ Continuous | Affected$ Self | SetPower$ Y | SetToughness$ Y | CharacteristicDefining$ True
SVar:DBComputerToken:DB$Token | TokenAmount$ 1 | TokenName$ Elephant | TokenTypes$ Creature,Elephant | TokenOwner$ Opponent | TokenColors$ Green | TokenPower$ Y | TokenToughness$ Y | TokenTriggers$ TrigPump2 | TokenSVars$ Y
SVar:X:Count$InYourYard.Creature
SVar:Y:Count$InOppYard.Creature
SVar:Rarity:Rare
SVar:Picture:http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/elephant_resurgence.jpg
End

I think to do this right you would need a keyword that you could give the token when its created. Because of the "those creatures" text, you need to apply the ability to the specific token instances created by the spell and not just all tokens that match the desired type. I haven't found a mechanism to do this with pump and continuous effects. I ran across this when I was trying to script Gilt-Leaf Ambush. I could give all Elf Warrior token deathtouch till end of turn but not just the ones created by the spell.

[jeffwadsworth]

Elephant Resurgence. Is there a way to get something like this to work currently?

| Open

Name:Elephant Resurgence
ManaCost:1 G
Types:Sorcery
Text:no text
A:SP$ Token | Cost$ 1 G | TokenAmount$ 1 | TokenName$ Elephant | TokenTypes$ Creature,Elephant | TokenOwner$ You | TokenColors$ Green | TokenPower$ X | TokenToughness$ X | TokenTriggers$ TrigPump | TokenSVars$ X | SubAbility$ DBComputerToken | SpellDescription$ Each player puts a green Elephant creature token onto the battlefield. Those creatures have "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creature cards in its controller's graveyard."
SVar:TrigPump:Mode$ Continuous | Affected$ Self | SetPower$ X | SetToughness$ X | CharacteristicDefining$ True
SVar:TrigPump2:Mode$ Continuous | Affected$ Self | SetPower$ Y | SetToughness$ Y | CharacteristicDefining$ True
SVar:DBComputerToken:DB$Token | TokenAmount$ 1 | TokenName$ Elephant | TokenTypes$ Creature,Elephant | TokenOwner$ Opponent | TokenColors$ Green | TokenPower$ Y | TokenToughness$ Y | TokenTriggers$ TrigPump2 | TokenSVars$ Y
SVar:X:Count$InYourYard.Creature
SVar:Y:Count$InOppYard.Creature
SVar:Rarity:Rare
SVar:Picture:http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/elephant_resurgence.jpg
End

I think to do this right you would need a keyword that you could give the token when its created. Because of the "those creatures" text, you need to apply the ability to the specific token instances created by the spell and not just all tokens that match the desired type. I haven't found a mechanism to do this with pump and continuous effects. I ran across this when I was trying to script Gilt-Leaf Ambush. I could give all Elf Warrior token deathtouch till end of turn but not just the ones created by the spell.

That is why the "Affected$ Self" is in there.