Baffling Hypnotist

[Illissius]

Baffling Hypnotist

Creature -- Wizard
1/1
As Baffling Hypnotist comes into play, name a card.
The named card can't be named.

That one of the inspirations for this was Meddling Mage should be obvious. And "the named card can't be named" is an awesome sentence, so I had to use it.
Note that this can be used not just to foil Cabal Therapy, Meddling Mage, Cranial Extraction, et al, but also to interfere with cards like Demonic Consultation.

Is there anything better for him (her?) to be than a Hypnotist?
Baffling Bathmage?


current version

Baffling Hypnotist

Creature -- Human Wizard
1/1
As Baffling Hypnotist comes into play, name a card.
The named card can't be named. (Effects saying "name a card" can't name the card.)

[Matt]

Hahahahaha, this is great. I love it. I may even have a good place to use it!

[asi]

Hahahahaha

Good to read that again in the internet, much better than "lolz" or "rofl" or even  :lol: .

The card is just great, I enjoy it the same way I enjoyed Obstinate Familiar (which is tech against Solidarity, and mo one knows it). It isn't very powerful, but it could be incredible funny against decks running both mages and Cabal Therapy. Should have some flavor text, I think.

[Harlequin]

"Not-It-No-Take-Backs!!"

And have picture of a wizard with his hand on his nose with his other hand, fingers crossed, raised over his head.

[Anusien]

Is naming a card different than announcing it to play it?  What about choosing which card you take with Duress?

This is cute (although a little too strong at U), but very very interesting.  I just hope we can iron out the rules issues.

[Harlequin]

I would think it would be ruled similar to the way things become "Untargetable"  as in If it doesn't actually use the word "Target" then it doesn't Target.  So to extrapolate:  If the card doesn't spesifically use the words "Name a Card" (like duress which says "choose" a card) then It would not be effected by this card.

Effected Cards:
~This Card~ (in so much as you couldn't name the same card twice)
Meddling Mage
Pithing Needle
Cabal Therapy
Demonic Consultation
Spoils of the Vault
Cranial Extraction

Similar Cards that would not be effected:
Duress
Tainted Pact
Extract

[Illissius]

Yeah, my thinking was the same as Harlequin's. It would work like Shadow of Doubt:

10/1/2005 If an effect says "You may search your library . . . If you do, shuffle your library," you can't choose to search since it's impossible, and you won't shuffle.
10/1/2005 If an effect says "Search your library . . . Then shuffle your library," the search effect fails, but you will have to shuffle.
10/1/2005 Since players can't search, players won't be able to find any cards in a library. The effect applies to all players and all libraries. If a spell or ability's effect has other parts that don't depend on searching for or finding cards, they will still work normally.
10/1/2005 Effects that tell a player to reveal cards from a library or look at cards from the top of a library will still work. Only effects that use the word "search" will fail.

Just replace "search" with "name".

"Not-It-No-Take-Backs!!"

And have picture of a wizard with his hand on his nose with his other hand, fingers crossed, raised over his head.

I love the art concept, but don't grok the flavor text.

[zeus-online]

Love it!
I dont see any power-level issues.

/Zeus

[Matt]

Is naming a card different than announcing it to play it?  What about choosing which card you take with Duress?

This is cute (although a little too strong at U), but very very interesting.  I just hope we can iron out the rules issues.

Yes, they're different, so this does not have any rules issues. It will probably need reminder text but that's not a big deal.

[Illissius]

Updated with reminder text.

I don't think this is at all overpowered. It only affects a very limited subset of cards, and it doesn't even neuter them, only prevents them from naming a specific card. They can still name anything else.

I'm still hoping someone can come up with a cooler thing for her (I've decided it's a her) to be than a Hypnotist. I really like Bathmage, but that's obviously not appropriate.
EDIT - Or maybe it could be a Cat of some sort. Baffling Bobcat? I've always wanted to make a blue Cat. (They clearly are.)

[Darkenslight]

current version

Baffling Hypnotist

Creature -- Human Wizard
1/1
As Baffling Hypnotist comes into play, name a card.
The named card can't be named. (Effects saying "name a card" can't name the card.)

I'd recommend something like a Fox Wizard for the creature type,  the name could be Spintail Hypnotist, and flavor text?  WEll:

"You'll be asleep when I count to three."

[Venven]

I love this card, very nice mechanic. But for a card that would have to be rare (too narrow) it doesn't do enough. But the cost needs to be kept at U or 1U to be an effective hoser, so the strength of any extra ability would need to be limited. Maybe add on "Whenever the named card is played, draw a card."? This would emphasize the cards tendency to be played defensively; opposite Cabal Therapy, Meddling Mage, Pithing Needle, etc. What that would do to the flavour text, I have no idea. And, then again, maybe it's perfect as is... I would hate to ruin it's elegance.

[asi]

And, then again, maybe it's perfect as is... I would hate to ruin it's elegance.

I think it's perfect as it is- I'm a big fan of Obstinate Familiar, and both are quite similiar. Adding any other bonuses would make the card too good and would likely take away the fun that is in the card.

[Liam-K]

+1 for fine as is

[Shock Wave]

Great idea! I like it as-is too.