Eager Researcher (Flavour creature)

[Toad]

Had this idea yesterday ... Wording is probably terrible but I hope you get the point 

Eager Researcher
 
Creature - Wizard
Whenever you search your library, add an Experience counter on Eager Researcher.
When there are two or more Experience counters on Eager Researcher, flip it.
0/1

//

~name~, Covert Operative
Legendary Creature - Rogue Soldier
Fear
Whenever an opponent draws a card, you may draw a card.
If an opponent would search his library, you may search his or her library instead. You must perform the search completely if able.
Whenever ~name~, Covert Operative becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, flip it.
1/3

Basically a 0/1 creature in normal mode that gets trained when you perform searches, and finally makes it to Covert Operative. Under that role, he can share information with you (card draw) and screw up the enemy plans (search replacement). When it gets spotted by the enemy, his cover is blown and he has to go back to regular job for a while.

Current Wording :

Eager Researcher
 
Creature - Wizard
Whenever you search your library, add an Experience counter on Eager Researcher.
When there are two or more Experience counters on Eager Researcher, flip it.
0/1

//

~name~, Covert Operative
Legendary Creature - Rogue Soldier
Whenever an opponent draws a card, you may draw a card.
If an opponent would search his library, that player reveals their library instead. You choose the cards found by the search.
Whenever ~name~, Covert Operative becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, flip it.
1/3

[jro]

Will the "you perform your opponent's searches" part work?  Wouldn't the library have to be revealed in order to insure that the search is properly done?

Why does the flipped version have Fear?  It adds words to an already lengthy card, and it's not like he has a combat ability that makes Fear relevant (like Finkel).

As currently worded, the flipped version will deflip and then flip back to itself when it's targeted, since it will still have Experience counters.

[Darkenslight]

@jro: Why not remove the Fear and add a 'When this is targetted by a source an opponent controls, remove an experience counter from ~' clause?  Would that be too wordy?

[Anusien]

By the way, keep the original wording of the card handy for reference.

This has a LOOOOT of text.  I like the concept, and the Eager Researcher side is fine.
The Covert Operative feels like it is doing too much.  What is the flavor behind fear and the "disguising"?  You realize that the Fear keyword ability is talking about inducing fear in others; those two abilities are very much conflicting in flavor.

I'm assuming, "You must perform the search completely" is trying to stop people from failing to find.  Are you still trying to search their library or yours?  I'm assuming theirs, so here would be the wording:
"If an opponent would search his library, that player reveals their library.  You choose the cards found by the search instead."
The revealing it is important.  The only way you can fail to find is because the library is not revealed to all players.

[parallax]

Yeah, the library needs to be revealed for the search to work correctly. "If an opponent would search his or her library, instead reveal that library and " ending with "you search that library." or "you choose the cards found by the search." would work.

The last ability, "Whenever ~name~, Covert Operative becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, flip it.", needs to say "Whenever ~name~, Covert Operative becomes the target of a spell or an ability an opponent controls, unflip it.". A card is either flipped or unflipped. Flipping a flipped card does not return it to it's original state.

[jro]

"If an opponent would search his library, that player reveals their library.  You choose the cards found by the search instead."
The revealing it is important.  The only way you can fail to find is because the library is not revealed to all players.

I don't think that wording will ensure that you "complete the search" if possible.  This thread from the rules forum left me with the impression that a player can fail to find a card in any zone that is a hidden zone, and that revealing such a zone does not make it non-hidden.

[Toad]

The Covert Operative feels like it is doing too much.  What is the flavor behind fear and the "disguising"?  You realize that the Fear keyword ability is talking about inducing fear in others; those two abilities are very much conflicting in flavor.

Yeah, the Fear part is likely unneeded since it has no relation with the rest of the card, you are right on that.

"If an opponent would search his library, that player reveals their library.  You choose the cards found by the search instead."
The revealing it is important.  The only way you can fail to find is because the library is not revealed to all players.

Thats good, I was trying to find a good way to make the player perform the search, while still being forced to perform it entierely. I will edit my original post to reflect the suggestions.

[Anusien]

"If an opponent would search his library, that player reveals their library.  You choose the cards found by the search instead."
The revealing it is important.  The only way you can fail to find is because the library is not revealed to all players.

I don't think that wording will ensure that you "complete the search" if possible.  This thread from the rules forum left me with the impression that a player can fail to find a card in any zone that is a hidden zone, and that revealing such a zone does not make it non-hidden.

From the Comp Rules:

If you're required to search a zone not revealed to all players for cards of a given quality, such as type or color, you aren't required to find some or all of those cards even if they're present; however, if you do choose to find cards, you must reveal those cards to all players. Even if you don't find any cards, you are still considered to have searched the zone.    If you're simply searching for a quantity of cards, such as "a card" or "three cards," you must find that many cards (or as many as possible). These cards often aren't revealed.

Relevant text in bold.  If the hidden zone is revealed to all players, the search cannot fail assuming there is something of the requisite quality to find.