Random Search

[Nefarias]

Random Search
U
Instant
Shuffle target player's library.
Draw a card.

I created this in the vein of cards like Opt, Peek, etc., that give a minor effect and cantrip. I know that R&D tries to keep shuffling to a bare minimum, so I'm on the fence about this one, but it just sprung into my head, so I figured I'd throw it out there and see what y'all think. I thought of it while reading the BoK FAQ on the entry for Stream Of Consciousness, because it make you shuffle your library even if you do nothing else. I thought it would be kind of cool, but realized that there are a bajillion ways to shuffle your own library, most of which resulting in a card you actually want in your hand, so I added the opponent's clause too. I liked that idea, but then realized that then the card you draw may not be so random. I was also thinking about adding a "may" to the shuffle so it wouldn't result in unnecessary shuffling.

Whew! that's a lot to say for such a simple card, but new things kept popping up while I was writing. So yeah, is there any of the above versions that you like?

///CURRENT WORDING///

Erratic Study
U
Instant
Shuffle target player's library.
Draw a card.
Expect the unexpected.

[dandan]

I think it makes little sense to shuffle an opponent's library but I like the idea of randomly searching your own. Of course on its own paying 1 mana and a card to draw another card is not a winner. How about using that old 'pay again' mechanic that Green got as an alternative to Regrowth?

Random Search
U
Instant
Shuffle your library.
Look at the top card of your library. Draw this card or put it on the bottom of your library. If you put it on the bottom of your library, you may pay U to repeat this process.

Random digging but for UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU you get to see a lot of your library. Of course Impulse is better most of the time but this can be cast for U and can reduce your hand size if you wish.

[Jacob Orlove]

I like the original version. It's very cute against vamp (unrestricted in extended!) and similar stuff. It also hoses goblin recruiter.

[GerryMander]

This + Isochron = Uber Stall

Add on a little burn, and you may be winning games that are 18/14 your favor.

[Nefarias]

That's very true, and is exactly the kind of thing I was afraid of. Does anyone see this as a realistic route to victory? If so, do you think that this should be spiced up slightly and made a sorcery, or is the Isochron interact not a big enough deal to worry about?

EDIT: I <3 dandan's idea, but I'd rather not change this to do that, as I think the two serve different functions. If the Isochron problem is significant, though, do you think that would work as a sorcery for U?

[Nazdakka]

I don't feel the Isochron problem is significant. IIRC comp rules has a bit where it says that if you don't have knowledge of the location of any card in your library (ie. it has just been shuffled) and a card asks you to shuffle, you can just touch the deck and carry on. They presumably put that one in so they could make this kind of card without wasting time.

[Malhavoc]

You can imprint fire/ice on the stick already. This is a lot less powerful than an imprinted fire/ice, and if you follow Nazdakka's suggestment it won't be a stall. Still it is a very cute card, and on the other hand making it a sorcery would spoil it a lot, since it won't be playable during opponent's turn (particularly upkeep) when he could try to vamp/mystic tutor a card.

[Marco]

I like the current wording.

[Nefarias]

Alright. Anyone have a better name for this? There's also a lot of room for flavor text, if anyone's got anything.

[FreshIsOuttaTurn]

"Hey look over there!"
"What? Where? I didn't see anything"
"Oh you missed it."
"Why are my clothes on the oven?"

Seems like a nice theme to the card.

Any thoughts?

[Nefarias]

Well, I was hoping for something a little more mystical and profound, as is normally found on blue card drawing spells. I like humorous flavor texts, but I prefer them on Goblins and such. Maybe something along the lines of not knowing what you'll get but being pleasantly surprised, or looking through random books, etc.

As for a name, I was thinking somewhere along the lines of Haphazard Search, but that doesn't quite have the ring to it that I'd like. Any ideas?

[Sytupal]

How about something like:


Erratic Search

or maybe

Reckless Study



Flavor texts could be:

Here's something I hadn't considered

Why didn't I think of that?

Not quite what you expected, was it?

[Nefarias]

I actually like the mix of your two names: Erratic Study. Even though Wizards themselves use the word "search" on card names, I don't really like it as it has game text meaning as well. As for flavor text, your third one gave me an idea I like: Expect the unexpected.

With that, I think this card is done, so I'm going to go ahead and intiate the 24H clock.

[Matt]

Closed and added.[/color]