Steel Golem/Grid Monitor mirror

[Darkenslight]

The idea for this card is a riff on the 'can't play x' spells, like Steel Golem and Grid Monitor, that both state you cannot play creature spells.

Here sre the two that I'm thinking of:

Aether Nullifier

Creature - Beast Druid
Flash, Reach.
You can't play Sorcery spells.
As the spell neared the druids, the mana fluttered and died.
4/4

Also, have a look at this:

Spellvoid Mage

Creature - Human Shaman
Protection from sprceries and instants.
You can't play Artifact spells.
4/3

What do you guys think?

Edit 1:

Aether Nullifier 
Creature - Beast Druid
Flash
You can't play noncreature spells.
As the weave approached the druids, it fluttered and died.
4/6

Spellvoid Mage

Creature - Human Shaman
Trample, Haste
You can't play sorcery and instant spells.
4/3

What do people think of the new cards?


EDIT2:
Fury Grinder 
Creature - Elemental Wizard
Trample, Haste.
At end of turn, sacrifice Fury Grinder.
You can't play spells or activated abilities of cards or permanents unless they;re mana abilities.
7/6

[Matt]

Well first off, the names are kind of blah. Second, the green one is pretty far above the curve - 4/6 for 4 is a good deal already, and you throw on two MORE abilities with only a minor drawback to balance? A lot of green decks don't even want sorceries to begin with, or can find instant-speed workarounds (and why is it sorcery-only?).

I would shrink it to 4/5 and remove flash entirely (flash is one of the very best creature abilities, even green can't get it 'for free') -or- make it 2GG for a 5/5 with no abilities (or one minor ability like reach) and "You can't play noncreature spells." A 4cc 5/5 with a sometimes-drawback is something green has gotten many times.

The red guy likewise seems overpowered. Why does he have protection? Why artifacts? That isn't much of a drawback, either, it's way too easy to work around. If you gave THIS guy "can't play sorc/inst" a red deck almost certainly will find that a major drawback, so you can reward it accordingly with a large body (3R for 4/4 first strike, or 1RR for 4/3 haste maybe?).

[Darkenslight]

Well first off, the names are kind of blah. Second, the green one is pretty far above the curve - 4/6 for 4 is a good deal already, and you throw on two MORE abilities with only a minor drawback to balance? A lot of green decks don't even want sorceries to begin with, or can find instant-speed workarounds (and why is it sorcery-only?).

I would shrink it to 4/5 and remove flash entirely (flash is one of the very best creature abilities, even green can't get it 'for free') -or- make it 2GG for a 5/5 with no abilities (or one minor ability like reach) and "You can't play noncreature spells." A 4cc 5/5 with a sometimes-drawback is something green has gotten many times.

The red guy likewise seems overpowered. Why does he have protection? Why artifacts? That isn't much of a drawback, either, it's way too easy to work around. If you gave THIS guy "can't play sorc/inst" a red deck almost certainly will find that a major drawback, so you can reward it accordingly with a large body (3R for 4/4 first strike, or 1RR for 4/3 haste maybe?).

Like I said, that was all of 2 minutes'-work, to show off the possibilities; I'm happy to modify them in their entirety, if necessary, I like the ideas shown here, Matt.  Edited to adjust.

[Harlequin]

Yawgmoth's Forsaken
Creature - Deamon Cleric
Flying, First Strike
You cannot play artifact Spells.
Yawgmoth's Forsaken gains +2/+0 for each artifact in your graveyard
1/3


Might be too good with all the new cycling artifacts... 

[jro]

I like the "you cannot play" drawback.  Reminds me of Derelor, and he was a good man.  Cards like this present players with designs challenges for their decks: is this guy good enough that I can give up X?  So balancing them is the big challenge.  They need to be flashy enough that people will want to play them, but they kind of encourage linear deck design in that you'd play with (for example) the first two cards in the same deck.

Anyway, my real contribution to this thread is another variant on the mechanic geared for an Un-set:
Lousy Duelist
7BU
Creature - Human Player
When Lousy Duelist comes into play, target opponent gains control of Lousy Duelist.
You cannot play Magic cards.
"You're so bad at Magic."
0/1

[Harlequin]

They need to be flashy enough that people will want to play them, but they kind of encourage linear deck design in that you'd play with (for example) the first two cards in the same deck.

That's why I kinda like the Forsaken card I proposed.  It wouldn't be played in a deck with NO artifacts, as he's just an awful flyer.  You'd need to run early artifacts and then get them in the yard to pump him.   But when you put him in play, you end up having dead draws.

[Darkenslight]

Here's another variant that came to me:

Shining Archway 
Tribal Enchantment - Angel
You can't play creature spells.
Whenever you play a spell, you may pay  .  If you do, put a 3/3 Angel Soldier cresture token into play.

Would this ever be played?  I think it would, and may actually be a bit strong.

[Matt]

They need to be flashy enough that people will want to play them, but they kind of encourage linear deck design in that you'd play with (for example) the first two cards in the same deck.

That's why I kinda like the Forsaken card I proposed.  It wouldn't be played in a deck with NO artifacts, as he's just an awful flyer.  You'd need to run early artifacts and then get them in the yard to pump him.   But when you put him in play, you end up having dead draws.

Heh I actually thought of something along those lines right after replying last night. You're right, I do like that tension.

[Darkenslight]

Another potential design:

Fury Grinder 
Creature - Elemental Wizard
Trample, Haste.
At end of turn, sacrifice Fury Grinder.
You can't play blue spells or activated abilities of blue cards or permanents.
7/6

[Matt]

That's pretty much just a straight upgrade to Ball Lightning. It's not like BL is usually played with Unsummon.

[Darkenslight]

That's pretty much just a straight upgrade to Ball Lightning. It's not like BL is usually played with Unsummon.

Changed from Blue to Red.  This makes it far more difficult; also, dropped the toughness to 3.

[Matt]

That drawback still doesn't do anything, really: even assuming you're not tapped out from playing this guy, you can just make this guy the last card you play this turn.

[jro]

Fury Grinder 
Creature - Elemental Wizard
Trample, Haste.
At end of turn, sacrifice Fury Grinder.
You can't play red spells or activated abilities of red cards or permanents.
7/6

How about you just can't do anything while he's in play except attack with him (and only him)?  Text like "You can't play spells or (non-mana?) activated abilities. \ Other creatures you control can't attack."  So he's so full of fury he's the only thing you can concentrate on.

[Darkenslight]

How about you just can't do anything while he's in play except attack with him (and only him)?  Text like "You can't play spells or (non-mana?) activated abilities. \ Other creatures you control can't attack."  So he's so full of fury he's the only thing you can concentrate on.

I like that; added to OP.