[Aztec]Rod of Venom

[rvs]

Since I always liked Rod of Ruin for some reason, I figured I could mirror it properly for our aztec theme. The part that is interesting is that you can also use this thing on yourself if you fancy getting poisoned a little

Rod of Venom
4
Artifact
3, T, Add one poison counter to target player.

I'll leave the flavor text up to more creative individuals

Another option for this is to turn it into some equipment a creature could pick up, but I'm not sure that's the right approach. In any case, can I tone down the CC, or at least the Activation Cost? Also, should I word it as 'Add one poison counter', or should it be 'Give one poison counter' ?
Thoughts, Suggestions?

[rvs]

Current Wording:

Rod of Venom
4
Artifact
3, T, Add one poison counter to target player.

[Ephraim]

There is already a card in the Aztec Master List called Blowgun that has an effect quite similar to this one. It's weaker, but at the time, I think we ruled that was necessary. We didn't want to make it too easy for artifacts to dole out poison counters. I think that this card is a little bit too strong -- sure, alone, it just represents an expensive 10-turn clock, but on the other hand, poison counters traditionally require an unblocked attack, which is harder to come by than three mana.

[rvs]

Hmm, it is actually quite similar yes, I didn't see it at first.

I'm not sure what to do with it then, but if soms other people step in and feel the same way, I guess it can be closed at that point.

[Nefarias]

While it is definitely true that the two are very similar, and that they probably could not coexist in the same set, I don't see any reason as to why they both couldn't be in the Master List. As long as they are functionally different (which they are), all it does is give more options later on. They both have very different things going for them: While Blowgun's flavor is awesome, this card is almost certainly better, and has an old-school homage.

That said, the templating I personally prefer is:

3, T: Target player gets a poison counter.

Either that or "gains" a poison counter.

[rvs]

Yeah, that template seems to be more understandable. In any case, we could at least keep this thread open to discuss the proper templating of these kinds of effects, so there is some homogenity (that's the correct word?) in our card creation efforts.