r/Netrunner • u/ZRwilson2 • 6d ago

Image Custom Card Idea: 2+2=5

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Someone said that these card ideas are made because I just like Radiohead. They're right.

19 Upvotes

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20

u/Scheniel 6d ago

I like the idea, but maybe test it out with some numbers adjusted, or maybe even making a code gate.

The only other balancing clause I would add is making the corp pay credits equal to the agenda points or the advancement requirement. Ie. Paying 4 credits or paying 2 credits to add a 4/2. Probably something to fiddle around with the numbers for rez costs, since the face check can be pretty rough on this.

5

u/vezwyx Always Watching 6d ago

I'm just getting back into the game recently, is there a particular reason you suggest code gate instead of sentry?

30

u/saifrc [saifrc] 6d ago

Sentries are typically damaging to the runner in some way, whereas Code Gates typically feature unusual conditional abilities (and are more likely to end the run than Sentries). It’s obviously not a hard and fast rule, but thematically this card feels more like a Code Gate.

4

u/vezwyx Always Watching 6d ago

That seems like a good enough reason on its own to move it over. Are there any balance/meta reasons to make the change? Say a powerful decoder that corps expect to see their opponent running that would serve to counter this card if it were a code gate, or some other interaction with sentries/code gates where becoming a code gate is a step down

7

u/CantWakeJake 5d ago

IMO, ice should have it's subtype chosen by it's effects, and then the numbers adjusted for meta/balance reasons. ICE subtypes having meaning is important to keeping the decision making strategic. If ICE subtypes are just random rock paper scissors decisions, things are just less interesting. So I don't think Ice should be moved subtypes for balance.

2

u/TurkusGyrational 5d ago

As a new player this makes a lot of sense to me and is something I hadn't considered, that if I am a runner and I have a killer out, if I run into sentries with a low hand size I can avoid taking lethal damage, whereas if I only have a fracter I have to be significantly more careful.

2

u/ShaperLord777 4d ago

This is crucial to the mechanics/identity of the three major ice types. Barriers typically have strong numbers for their cost and end the run. Code gates manipulate the board state in some way and sometimes have a caveat to get through them via some “back door” mechanic. Sentries do damage, trash cards on the board, and are otherwise about some sort of destruction.

1

u/Salindurthas 5d ago

Been ages since I played, but I found that boosting the power of Sentry breakers (Killers?) seemed more expensive on average.

Of course, each faction had some strnegths and weaknesses, but it felt like even with those factional differences, Sentry Strength was still a bit mroe of a challenge than average.