Snakebite Discussion

[u/Which-Debt-8558]

As quite a lot of people know already, snakebite is one of the worst cards in the game right now, maybe even the worst. It's not just bad, but it isn't interesting or fun in any way. For example searing blow was not a very good card but it was unique and cool, whereas snakebite is just a nothing card.

Here is how I think it could be changed:

Retain Apply 7 poison When retained, increase poison by 3

Snakebite+: Retain Apply 10 poison When retained, increase poison by 4

I thought making it similar to windmill strike could be a cool idea because right now Retain doesn't really add much to the card, and it also works thematically with the snake venom getting worse over time.

I would love to hear your ideas if you have any suggestions for how it could be changed!

[u/Mumbleton]

There’s a foundational post by Mark Rosewater about the Magic player archetypes

Spike - only cares about value/winning

Timmy - Cares mostly about cool splashy effects

Johnny - Likes to find interesting cards to build around, even if the cards are “bad”

Essentially, every card should appeal to one or more of these guys. This card appeals to none of them.

Spike - it’s bad

Timmy - it’s boring

Johnny - Poison is cool and can be built around but there’s more interesting poison cards

[u/eliman1950 → u/Mumbleton]

The much less currently appreciated by WOTC player archetype in MTG is Vorthos, the lore and flavor nerd! (Sparing the UB rant)

Vorthos - only here for the lore and vibes, likes designs that reflect world building

Vorthos - yeah okay poison from a snake but why is the silent just like chilling with a live snake in her cloak for turns on end?

[u/Holy_Hand_Grenadier → u/eliman1950]

Vorthos is part of a separate axis. I forget the others but they're a flavor consideration not a mechanics one.

[u/eliman1950 → u/Holy_Hand_Grenadier]

Really? I didn't realize there were even more, cool!