Granter Cycle

[Sheik al Kaji]

With this cycle, I came up with the idea to thin a deck while giving each color a flavorful boost. The mechanic has undergone several incarnations, with this being the one I felt to be the least confusing and able to fit within the rules. To balance out the thinning, I made the abilities redundant that people might not just always shove four-of in, and made them symtetrical to discourage too much abuse. The Artifact one is not symtetrical to prevent it from becoming an uber-hoser.

Deanimator
7
Artifact Creature -- Granter
7/7
At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. If you do, you may play with less than the minimum number of cards required in a deck. Shuffle your library. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, all artifacts you own lose the type creature.

Uplifter
UU5
Creature -- Granter
7/7
Flying
At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. If you do, you may play with less than the minimum number of cards required in a deck. Shuffle your library. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, all blue creatures gain flying.

Enrager
RR5
Creature -- Granter
7/7
Haste
At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. If you do, you may play with less than the minimum number of cards required in a deck. Shuffle your library. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, all red creatures gain haste.

Enlarger
GG5
Creature -- Granter
7/7
Trample
At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. If you do, you may play with less than the minimum number of cards required in a deck. Shuffle your library. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, all green creatures gain trample.

Frightener
BB5
Creature -- Granter
7/7
Fear
At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. If you do, you may play with less than the minimum number of cards required in a deck. Shuffle your library. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, all black creatures gain fear.

Ennobler
WW5
Creature -- Granter
7/7
First Strike
At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. If you do, you may play with less than the minimum number of cards required in a deck. Shuffle your library. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, all white creatures gain first strike.



EDIT: The "If you do, you may play with less that the minimum number of cards required in a deck." clause is to be disregarded, given the fine point made by goober.

[goober]

This is increadibly broken, the 60 card limit is there for a reason.  A 24 card deck is almost impossible to beat, and that is what this will allow you to do.  Also this is granting abilities which are enchantments that cost anywhere from 1-2 mana, and you are letting them get it for free, without even needing to draw it.  every single deck should run 4 of all of these, just to prefilter their deck.

[Jacob Orlove]

These are too strong, because even if they don't reduce your deck size, you're still making your creatures better for free, which is too strong.

However, since you remove these at the beginning of the game, they would count towards your deck size anyway.

[Sheik al Kaji]

Does it fit within the rules that there be a triggered ability caused by a card outside of the game, say, that triggers at the beginning of one's upkeep?

I believe the mechanic would look then something like this:

At the beginning of the game, you may search your library for ~this~ and remove it from the game. Your deck must still contain the minimum number of cards. As long as ~this~ remains removed from the game, at the beginning of your upkeep, you may pay ~cost~. If you do, ~insert appropriate effect.~

[goober]

I think it might be simpler to have it produce an effect from the SB, so you can't just run all of these.  The cost idea makes it a lot more balanced, and by taking up SB slots it is probably fine.

[Aniodia]

That sounds like a really, really good idea, except for the fact that not everybody plays with a sideboard (i.e. Casual players). However, they don't count. Anyway, the Iron Shiek's cost idea isn't bad either, and would probably fit these cards more. Go with that.

[Alfred]

Or, alternately, you could allow only one type of granter in your deck and if you choose to remove it from your deck before playing you start with 2 less life or one less card in your hand or something.

[Matt]

So these are like Incarnations that entomb themselves? Jesus, way too strong.